PREMIERE: Kamaal Williams – “Hold On” Live Session

Known as one half of jazz duo Yussef Kamaal, the producer and keyboardist is debuting an exclusive version of his Shabaka Hutchings-featuring solo single.

Today (9 July) on HUNGER, Kamaal Wiliams is premiering a live version of “Hold On”, a smooth R&B cut off of forthcoming album Wu Hen. 

Set against a rippling harp, Lauren Faith’s breathy R&B vocals give the track a blissed-out, almost dream-like quality. Jazz fans, in particular, should pay attention — this version also features Shabaka Hutchings, of Mercury-nominated quartet Sons of Kemet.

Taiwanese-British producer and multi-instrumentalist Kamaal Williams was raised in Peckham and came to acclaim with Black Focus, the 2016 album created alongside drummer Yussef Dayes as duo Yussef Kamal. Since then, he’s released solo album The Return and a host of electronic EPs (under birth name Henry Wu) for underground labels like Rhythm Section and 22a. 

Whilst we can’t let too much slip about new album Wu Hen, we can tell you that it weaves together celestial jazz, funk, rap and R&B and that it’ll make you think a bit more deeply about the spiritual power of art.

Intrigued? Then check out the live session, premiering exclusively on HUNGER, below. Another full session with Kamaal Williams, Shabaka Hutchings, Lauren Faith and Alina Bzhezhinska will go live on Youtube on 23 July to raise money for the Stephen Lawrence FoundationKamaal Williams’ new album, Wu Hen, is out on 24 July.