What makes Lest We Forget What We Came Here to Do by Sons of Kemet notable?

The album received critical acclaim, including a four-star review from The Guardian which highlighted its bold exploration of identity and culture. It also placed high on various year-end lists and solidified Sons of Kemet's position as prominent figures in the contemporary jazz scene, influencing a resurgence of interest in politically charged jazz music. Released on September 25, 2015, 'Lest We Forget What We Came Here to Do' is the third album from Sons of Kemet, following their acclaimed sophomore effort 'Burn' in 2013. The band was gaining recognition for their innovative approach to jazz, blending traditional elements with contemporary influences and addressing social issues through their music.

How many songs are on Lest We Forget What We Came Here to Do?

Lest We Forget What We Came Here to Do has 9 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Lest We Forget What We Came Here to Do

Sons of Kemet · 2015

53 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz and Caribbean rhythms, layered with political urgency and Afrocentric themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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In Memory of Samir Awad — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melody and tribute to a victim of violence, intertwining sorrow with resilience.
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The Long Night of Octavia E Butler — Named after the influential sci-fi author, this track encapsulates the album's themes of Afrofuturism and cultural reflection through innovative rhythms and striking improvisation.
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Afrofuturism — This track embodies the album's central concept, merging complex polyrhythms with evocative melodies to explore themes of future possibilities rooted in African heritage.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositional elements and unique instrumentation, making it a notable entry in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of polyrhythms throughout, with percussion driving the majority of the tracks.
Each track typically builds from a minimalist introduction to a dense, layered climax before tapering off.
The instrumentation prominently includes saxophone and tuba, creating a distinctive sound that blends traditional jazz with Caribbean influences.

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

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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 In Memory of Samir Awad 8:47
2 In the Castle of My Skin 5:25
3 Tiger 4:45
4 Mo' Wiser 6:19
5 Breadfruit 6:57
6 The Hour of Judgement 2:55
7 The Long Night of Octavia E Butler 4:41
8 Afrofuturism 9:03
9 Play Mass 5:06

What to play next

Listen next

Your Queen Is a Reptile

2018

Go back to

Burn

2013

Full Sons of Kemet discography Artists like Sons of Kemet

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata