Multi-GRAMMY Award nominated and winning drummer, producer, and educator, Emanuel Harrold, has shared a new video for his track “See”. The song is taken from his critically acclaimed album “We Da People”, which was released at the start of the year via London tastemaker label and analogue specialists Gearbox Records (Binker Golding, Roland Kirk, The Cookers, Abdullah Ibrahim).
Having made a name for himself both live and record collaborating with the likes of Damon Albarn, Keyon Harrold, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, De La Soul, and Gregory Porter, “We Da People” marks a new chapter in Harrold’s solo career. The LP is a positive combination of uplifting messages and improvisational sounds that transcend R&B, jazz, soul, gospel, and funk. The release also sees Harrold bring in a number of estimable guest musicians including Gregory Porter, Charles Ransom II & Crystal ‘Crissy’ Ransom, Jahmal Nichols, Carlos “Scooter” Brown, Tivon Pennicott, Joel Holmes, Brian Owens, and more.
Following closely on the heels of the lead single “I Think” (which ft. two-time GRAMMY-winner, Gregory Porter), “See” features guest vocals from Shareef Keyes (Ghostface Killah / Bun B collaborator). It’s accompanying video was filmed in the historic town of Soweto in South Africa. The home of Nelson Mandela & Bishop Tutu.
Speaking on the video, Harrold says, “’See’ ft. Shareef Keyes, has a message embodies freedom, humility and love. The energy of the towns and communities visited in South Africa inspired me to shoot there using an all SA film crew, director, editors and cast members right from the community. I’d love to experience even deeper with the beautiful SA people, artist and culture.”
Going on to speak more about the track, he says that it’s “the idea of being a productive resilient human in many aspects of your community. A strong work ethic & a humble life. The desire to exist whilst existing.”
Emanuel Harrold was born into the artistry of music by way of St. Louis, USA. Harrold’s appetite for singing & playing instruments grew from an early age with his father being a pastor in an African American Church. He is a graduate of The New School University in New York and has performed / recorded – in no specific order – with Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Robert Glasper, Keyon Harrold, Damon Albarn, James Spaulding, Stevie Wonder, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Ben l’Oncle Soul, Jonathan Baptiste, Ambrose Akinmusire, and many other influential artists – you can hear Harrold’s most recent drumming contribution on Gregory Porter’s GRAMMY-nominated album “All Rise”.
The new album “We Da People” marks an exciting and important new chapter for Harrold, perfectly exemplifying his soulful and future-thinking sound. Despite their proximity, his recent EP “Funk La Soul” and the new album showcase both an evolution and at times an entirely different insight into his musical direction. Lead single and album opener “I Think” perfectly encapsulates the sound of the album by combining gospel-tinged soul vocals, with jazz-funk inflected guitars, uplifting orchestral strings, groove heavy bass that is interweaved with Harrold’s precise, high-energy drumming. Elsewhere, the title track “We Da People” combines elements of R&B, jazz and funk, with effected synth, minimal guitars and bass, alongside a powerful spoken word verse by GRAMMY-winning actor and musician Malcolm-Jamal Warner. The album is untapped catalogue of all the creativity that Harrold possess and has been working on in his many years of collaborating with high profile artists. It thoroughly explores an eclectic range of styles and genres, but importantly it does so without ever feeling disconnected.
For those who have heard Emanuel Harrold’s playing in the past, this release will arrive as an exciting exploration of Harrold’s musical mind, and for those who have yet to hear him, there is no better time to discover his work.
Hear the recent single ‘I Think’ feat. Gregory Porter
‘We Da People’ is out now via Gearbox Records – Stream / Order here
Tracklisting:
1. I Think
2. We Da People
3. See
4. Brighter Day
5. Fight Harder
6. Good Word
7. Shine Light
8. Mr. Brew [Instrumental]
