Listen to our new interview with Hello Skinny on Peter Zummo, downtown NYC and London’s vibrant jazz scene

London drummer and producer Tom Skinner introduces his fantastic new album Watermelon Sun.

One of London’s most in-demand drummers, Tom Skinner has played and recorded with Shabaka Hutchings’ Sons of Kemet, The Invisible, and toured with everyone from Matthew Herbert to Mulata Astatke.

Now, turning his attention back to solo project Hello Skinny, Skinner has worked closely with NYC legend Peter Zummo – best known as trombonist for Arthur Russell on downtown classics like ‘Go Bang!’ – to craft new album Watermelon Sun.

A largely improvised record with a leftfield disco flavour that applies a jazz mentality to influences as wide ranging as dub, house and footwork, Watermelon Sun is a product of Skinner’s open-minded approach to music and something that’s reflected in London’s burgeoning UK jazz scene.

Joining VF editor Anton Spice for the first hour of our monthly Soho Radio show, he introduces the album alongside a handful of its influences, from Arthur Russell to DJ Rashad.

Tracklist:

Hello Skinny – Bluebells (Brownswood)

Peter Zummo – Song IV (Quintet) (Foom)

Hello Skinny – Rashad (Brownswood)

DJ Rashad – Itz Not Rite (Planet Mu)

Hello Skinny – Coda (Brownswood)

Amor – Amnesia (Night School Records)

Modula – A1 (Firecracker)

Jay Glass Dubs x Gorilla Toss – Skull Pop (Dub) (Bokeh Versions / DFA)

Kelela – Blue Light (Warp)

Fatima – Somebody Else (Eglo)

Zara McFarlane – Pride (Brownswood)

Jeremy Shaw – Towards The Liminal (The Vinyl Factory)

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith – To Feel Your Best (Western Vinyl)

Sudan Archives – Oatmeal (Stones Throw)

Anthony Joseph & Hanyo – Be The River (Heavenly Sweetness)

Joe – Tail Lift (Hessel Audio)

Andrew Weatherall – Spreads A Haze (And a Glory) (Holga Nord Rekords)

Jerry Washington – Don’t Waste My Time (Suncut)