Saxophonist and bandleader Shabaka Hutchings (1984) is a significant figure on the current London jazz scene that is vibrant and swinging. This also goes for his compositions, in which he deftly paints us a picture of the spirit of our age. He fronts three bands, Shabaka and the Ancestors, The Comet is Coming and the group Sons Of Kemet. With the latter, he recently released a third album, titled Your Queen Is A Reptile, this time on the famous Impulse! label that has already signed many jazz legends. Sons Of Kemet stand out thanks to their exotic lineup: tenor sax, tuba, and two drummers. Their music contains obvious undertones of social criticism, fed by the Caribbean musical roots of Hutchings. The group easily drifts past various sources of inspiration like New Orleans, the Caribbean, hip-hop, and the Middle East. But most importantly, their music remains urgent and filled with meaning, and the fiery passionate tone of Hutchings’ tenor sax gives the music its own unique identity.
