Photo: Jason Evans
We’ve been following Tom Skinner’s adventurous and inventive musical journey for well over a decade, first captivated by his self-titled 2012 debut as Hello Skinny, and continually inspired by his work across a dizzying array of groundbreaking projects. He’s been part of some of the most exciting and forward-thinking music of the last decade, from Sons of Kemet to The Smile, as well as collaborations with Matthew Herbert, Mulatu Astatke, Alabaster DePlume, Floating Points, The Owiny Sigoma Band and many more. So it’s with huge excitement that we welcome the announcement of his second solo album, Kaleidoscopic Visions, landing on September 26th through Brownswood and International Anthem. Following Voices of Bishara, which was one of our Album Picks of 2022, the upcoming new record sees Skinner step further into a compositional space that feels much more personal and reflective, informed by years of playing, listening, and constantly moving forward.
To bring the record to life, Skinner brought together longtime collaborators from his Bishara ensemble, including Tom Herbert on bass, Kareem Dayes on cello, and reeds from Chelsea Carmichael and Robert Stillman. The first half of Kaleidoscopic Visions focuses on instrumental compositions, written primarily on guitar, and full of rich textures and intuitive interplay, and Side B opens up with new collaborators including Adrian Utley (Portishead), Meshell Ndegeocello, South Carolina-based artist Contour and London vocalist-keyboardist Yaffra.
Alongside the album news, Skinner has shared the title track, a beautiful, swirling and cinematic piece. Speaking about it, Skinner says:
“Kaleidoscopic Visions was the first piece I wrote for the album. Based around an intuitive piano improvisation, it set the tone for my approach and the sound I wanted to achieve in the creative process. Showcasing the conversational and collaborative dynamic of the music and my band, it foregrounds a moody, cinematic flow within a hazy, psychedelic backdrop.”
Listen to ‘Kaleidoscopic Visions’ now, and mark your calendars for September 26th.