Shabaka has announced that his new EP, Possession, is set to be released digitally on December 6 via Impulse! Records.
The EP follows his recent critically well-received album, Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace, and continues his exploration of musical and emotional depth.
The first single “Timepieces” showcases Shabaka’s transformative approach to music production and features frequent collaborator and highly regarded NY-based rapper, billy woods.
“Timepieces” is out now across all digital providers, and arrives with an accompanying visualizer, which you can check out below.
The genesis of “Timepieces,” the opening track on Possession, harkens back to his album Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace. Shabaka sampled the original recording of “End of Innocence” off the album to create the foundation of “Timepieces” before enlisting the lyrical prowess of billy woods.
“My original plan for my album Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace was to present the acoustic music as recorded in the Van Gelder and London studios, but also dissect and sample the material to produce an accompanying beats segment to the album. ‘Timepieces’ is one of the results of this intention,” says Shabaka.
The Possession EP release coincides with Shabaka’s ongoing international tour, which brings his music to audiences around the world. Upcoming dates include venues across Europe, Australia, Japan, the U.S., and China.
Possession furthers Shabaka’s exploration of poetic arc and dramatic form. Regarding the project, he adds: “Possession is the exploration of the free-floating liminal space which characterizes the transition from one-dimensional sphere of awareness to another.”
In addition to billy woods, notable musicians joining Shabaka on the project include ELUCID, Esperanza Spalding, Nduduzo Makhathini, Brandee Younger, Carlos Niño, and Jason Moran.
Order Shabaka’s Possession EP.
Possession Tracklist:
“Timepieces” featuring Billy Woods
“I’ve Been Listening” featuring Elucid
“To The Moon” featuring Special Guest
“Cycles of Growth” featuring Esperanza Spalding
“Reaching Back Towards Eternity” featuring Nduduzo Makhathini
