What makes Black to the Future by Sons of Kemet notable?

'Black to the Future' received widespread acclaim, featuring in numerous year-end lists and earning a nomination for Best Jazz Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards. The album's powerful socio-political commentary resonated particularly well during a time of heightened racial awareness globally, making it a significant cultural artifact of its era. By the time 'Black to the Future' was released in 2021, Sons of Kemet had solidified their reputation within the UK jazz scene, following their acclaimed album 'Your Queen Is a Reptile' in 2018. This release marked their fourth studio album and showcased an evolution toward more politically charged themes while further exploring their unique blend of jazz, Afrobeat, and spoken word influences.

How many songs are on Black to the Future?

Black to the Future has 11 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Black to the Future

Sons of Kemet · 2021

51 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz and spoken word that confronts social issues with urgency and profound artistry.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Field Negus — This track sets the tone for the album with its commanding blend of rhythm and powerful spoken word, encapsulating the struggle and resilience of Black identity.
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Pick Up Your Burning Cross — The track combines intense instrumentation with urgent lyrics that confront systemic racism, illustrating the ongoing fight against oppression.
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Let the Circle Be Unbroken — This piece serves as an emotional centerpiece, blending spirituality with political fervor and showcasing the band's ability to fuse different musical traditions into a cohesive narrative.
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Envision Yourself Levitating — Its expansive soundscape invites listeners into a reflective space, balancing hope and resistance amid chaos, which is central to the album's ethos.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate compositions and fusion of jazz with spoken word create a unique listening experience.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate spoken word segments that intersperse with the instrumental sections, creating a dialogue between music and message.
The final track concludes with a gradual fade-out of instruments, leaving a lingering sense of reflection.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Field Negus 3:03
2 Pick Up Your Burning Cross 3:44
3 Think of Home 3:32
4 Hustle 5:18
5 For the Culture 4:01
6 To Never Forget the Source 2:55
7 In Remembrance of Those Fallen 5:06
8 Let the Circle Be Unbroken 6:29
9 Envision Yourself Levitating 8:22
10 Throughout the Madness, Stay Strong 5:53
11 Black 2:42

What to play next

Go back to

Your Queen Is a Reptile

2018

Full Sons of Kemet discography Artists like Sons of Kemet

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata