Photo: Filmawi

One of the most talented young musicians on the effervescent London jazz scene, producer and multi-instrumentalist Mansur Brown is on a roll and has been for a while. Following his second album, Heiwa, released last year, Mansur put out an EP, NAQI Vol. 1, earlier this year. He’s following it up with NAQI VOL.2 and the NAQI Mixtape, a LP vinyl which comprises both NAQI EPs. “The first volume had a summery feel – I think of it as being out at the dance”, says Mansur . “While the second volume has more of an introspective feel. I think of it as being the car ride home.”

Both ‘NAQI VOL.2’ EP and NAQI mixtape are set for release on November 18th through his own AMAI Records and ahead of it Mansur has shared the staggering title track. He comments:

“Naqi means ‘pure’ in Arabic, and this track is about being pure of mind, pure of heart. If we don’t overcome our problems, or we carry them with us, we might not love in the purest way. We might seek affection or companionship in a way that’s codependent, or not healthy. But we can be revitalised by opening doors of stress or pain. It’s a way of starting a new chapter, and accepting that growth and development are a part of life.”

Listen to ´Naqi´below and order the EP and the mixtape on bandcamp.

Today sees the release of Heiwa, the second album from producer and multi-instrumentalist Mansur Brown. His collaborative work in projects like TriForce, and his contribution to Yussef Kamaal’s acclaimed 2016 album Black Focus thrust him into the ranks of the most talented young musicians on the thriving London jazz scene. Released on his own record label, Amai Records, Heiwa follows his 2018 debut album Shiroi and the Tesuto EP released last year.

Heiwa, which translates from Japanese as ‘Peace’, is a record about “the journey of life and all the emotions that are faced throughout life in the quest to attain true peace of mind and happiness within”, as the accompanying blurb describes. It adds that “Mansur’s sound rolls out across Heiwa like an expansive film score backdrop to the conflict between city and nature and the cycle of life.”

‘Flight’ was the last single to emerge ahead of today’s release. Speaking about it, Brown comments:

“‘Flight’ is a song about the importance of celebration and gratitude as I believe its important to take time out to appreciate the journey of overcoming obstacles and being grateful for the beautiful things that we have in life and things are absent are to be improved upon and developed over time.”

Listen to ‘Flight’ below and head over to his bandcamp straight after to grab Heiwa.

Mansur Brown may be only young but he’s no stranger in the effervescent London jazz scene, with his collaborative work in projects like TriForce, and his contribution to Yussef Kamaal’s acclaimed 2016 album Black Focus. “As Thundercat claims the Bass Guitar, Robert Glasper the keys”, says the press release, “the 21 year old prodigy from south east London claims the Guitar.”
Brown is on a solo quest with his debut album Shiroi just out last month via Kamaal Williams’ Black Focus Records, with a vinyl release following on November 23rd.
The album’s title track serves as an incredibly enticing taste of what’s on offer. Take a listen now.