Saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings had long cherished a musical dream: to write, record, mix, and produce an album all on his own. With his second solo album, the British musician – who had earlier graced the thriving London jazz scene with his bands Shabaka and the Ancestors and Sons of Kemet – recently saw his wish come true. According to the multi-instrumentalist himself, Of The Earth (2026) is his celebration of boundless self-expression and a reflection on the music that emerged from a creative journey filled with experimentation. On the album, Shabaka naturally showcases his virtuosity on saxophone, clarinet, and flute, but, inspired by his tour with André 3000 and his childhood love for hip-hop beats, he also reveals a whole new side of himself as a rapper. Over the past decades, Shabaka has reshaped the global perception of British jazz and experimental music, moving freely between electronic, spiritual, and avant-garde jazz. Of The Earth is a shining example of this in every respect.
