The London-based tuba virtuoso is back with his second full-length project that explores Black music in its entirety.
Theon Cross has been at the forefront of the thriving London jazz scene for a few years, with his acclaimed 2019 debut solo album Fyah earning acclaim. In addition to his solo endeavours, he is a core member of Shabaka Hutchings’ group Sons Of Kemet, plays in Kano’s live band, and has collaborated with Little Simz, Stormzy, Nubya Garcia, and others. Today, he announces his forthcoming solo album Intra-I, out on October 29 via New Soil. The project will be an uplifting celebration of Black music that helps redefine the sonic possibilities of the tuba. The record – which features Remi Graves, Shumba Maasai, Afronaut Zu, Ahnansé, Consensus and Oren Marshall – is also Cross’ first music to feature collaborations with guest vocalists.
“We Go Again” and “The Spiral,” both taken from the album, are already available, with the latter coming with dedicated visuals. Directed by the creative duo Roisin O and Eden Tarn, the psychedelic video stars Cross, Afronaut Zu and Ahnanśe, and includes a brief cameo from Moses Boyd plus various other friends and family. “The Spiral video is all about visually depicting the journey into self through the movement of dance,” says Cross. “It was important for me to include a nod to the culture of sound systems because this song and my album are all about showcasing a sound system powered by breath, via the passageways of the tuba.”
Intra-l, out on October 29 via New Soil.
Listen to « The Spiral » in our Songs of the Week playlist on Spotify and Deezer.
