Tag Archives: Sheldon Agwu

Mixtape #172

02 June 2025


It’s no secret we were completely drawn in by Sheldon Agwu’s work after stumbling upon his music earlier this year. A longtime presence in London’s music scene, Agwu has collaborated with artists like Jordan Rakei, Yussef Dayes and Bonobo, and held musical director roles at iconic venues like Jazz Cafe and XOYO. The London-based guitarist, producer and multi-instrumentalist released Kintsugi in April, a stunning and sublime debut inspired by and named after the Japanese art of embracing imperfection. With this album, Agwu channels years of exploration into a deeply personal and affecting work, blending virtuosic electric guitar with influences from jazz, hip-hop, trip hop, and ambient textures. So we’re over the moon to have him at the helm of this month’s mixtape. Featuring tracks from Jon Hassell, Thelonious Monk, Bitchin Bajas, Madlib, Sam Gendel and more, it opens a window into the creative world that helps shape his own music. Press play and drift away.

  1. Andrew Pekler – Forever (Is No Time At All) [Faitiche]
  2. Thelonious Monk – Ugly Beauty [Columbia]
  3. Jon Hassell – Empire V [Editions EG]
  4. Daniel Villarreal – Things Can Be Calm [International Anthem]
  5. Gregory Uhlmann, Josh Johnson, Sam Wilkes – Marvis [International Anthem]
  6. Dorothy Ashby – Wax & Wane [Cadet]
  7. Kenny Burrell – Theme IV, Recapitulation [Cadet]
  8. Yesterdays New Quintet (Madlib) – Julani [Stones Throw Records]
  9. Ken Brown – Continental Drift [Temporary Residence]
  10. Jeff Parker – Jrifted [International Anthem]
  11. Can – Spray [United Artists Records]
  12. Tony Williams – Circa 45 [Polydor]
  13. Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas – Clock No Clock [Drag City]
  14. Bilal – Evr Chngin Nrml
  15. Triosk Meets Jan Jelinek – The Lake [~scape]
  16. Bitchin Bajas – Amorpha [Drag City]
  17. Sam Gendel – Two Tone [Leaving Records]

Listen to Sheldon Agwu’s new single ‘Providence’

20 March 2025

Photo: Karolina Wieolcha

Following the tantalizing title track released earlier this month, London-based guitarist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sheldon Agwu has shared ‘Providence’, the second single lifted from his upcoming debut album Kintsugi. ‘Providence’ offers another transcendent glimpse into Agwu’s album and vision, blending virtuosic guitar with soulful, experimental elements. Expanding on the influences of artists like Andrew Pekler, Jon Hassell, Rick Rubin, and Madlib, ‘Providence’ is a serene and expansive track, dreamy yet emotionally powerful. Listen to it below and look out for the full album on April 11th.

Sheldon Agwu announces debut LP, Kintsugi, and shares title track

06 March 2025

Photo: Karolina Wieolcha

We weren’t familiar with Sheldon Agwu up until recently but the London-based guitarist, producer and multi-instrumentalist caught our ears on first listen. He has announced the release of his debut LP, Kintsugi, arriving on April 11th. While this will be his first full-length album, Agwu has been active in the London music scene for a while now performing, collaborating, teaching and also as musical director for known London venues like Jazz Cafe or XOYO. Kintsugi takes its name from the Japanese art of pottery repairing without hiding the damage but highlighting it, thus embracing the beauty of imperfections. On the upcoming album, Agwu conjures that philosophy, believing that by accepting the imperfections of oneself and one’s creativity, “the celestial begins to show itself, and so, quite organically the elements of the influences are made apparent.”
Drawing inspiration from artists like Andrew Pekler, Jon Hassell, Rick Rubin, and Madlib, combined with virtuosic guitar-playing and a soulful flair, Agwu has created an absolutely beautiful, emotive and sublime album.

To usher in Kintsugi is the album’s title track, a tantalizing hint of what’s to come. Take a listen now.