Song of the Day: Nate Smith feat Kokayi, Michael Mayo - Square Wheel

Nate Smith presents his new song Square Wheel featuring Kokayi and Michael Mayo, from his forthcoming album. Four years after drummer, composer, and bandleader released his Grammy-nominated debut, he’s releasing its thematic follow-up, Kinfolk 2: See The Birds. In the interim, he’s released two other projects: 2020’s R&B-laden EP, Light and Shadow, and 2018’s breakbeat solo drum LP, Pocket Change. He is also a member of The Fearless Flyers, a quartet of some of the United States' grooviest virtuosos including Joe Dart on bass, Nate on drums, and Cory Wong and Mark Lettieri on guitars.

Smith sees Kinfolk as a trilogy that charts his evolution as a musician. The first record touched upon his childhood in Chesapeake, Virginia, and the music that he absorbed in his home. Kinfolk 2 continues that narrative, offering an impressionistic portrait of his teenage years when he made the decision to become a musician.

Listen to Nate Smith new song Square Wheel featuring Kokayi and Michael Mayo, from his forthcoming album Kinfolk 2: See The Birds:

Kinfolk 2: See the Birds is the highly anticipated follow up to the 2017 Grammy-nominated album Kinfolk: Postcards From Everywhere. Featuring the diverse and all-star talents of Brittany Howard, Amma Whatt, Joel Ross, Kokayi, Michael Mayo, Regina Carter, Stokley and Vernon Reid, Kinfolk 2: See the Birds is the inspired and emphatic album that exemplifies Nate’s artistry as one of the most exciting, dynamic and innovative drummer-composers of his generation, adept across multi-genres and styles. Taking inspiration from his teenage years spent absorbing the diverse and eclectic riches of Prince, Michael Jackson and Living Colour. Kinfolk 2: See the Birds is a multi-faceted jewel and is set to be one of the most significant albums of 2021.

Smith reconciles his influences from his teen years with the modern jazz sensibilities that he’s demonstrated with not just his solo material but as a sideman with a roster of jazz titans that includes guitarist Pat Metheny, bassist Dave Holland, and saxophonists Ravi Coltrane and Chris Potter.

The album is out 17th of September 2021 via Edition Records.

Watch the video below of Nate Smith new song Square Wheel featuring Kokayi and Michael Mayo, from his forthcoming album Kinfolk 2: See The Birds: