Mackwood joins the Tru Thoughts family
We are excited to welcome South East London drummer, producer, bandleader and DJ Mackwood to Tru Thoughts.
Mackwood draws equally from jazz tradition and UK soundsystem culture. He describes his sound as “Future Jazz, born in the dance.” It’s a phrase that perfectly captures the essence of ‘Sammy’, a record where jazz fusion, grime, bruk and bass music collide, balancing the finesse of live improvisation with the weight and physicality of club culture.
Buy / Listen to Sammy HERE
Music has shaped Mackwood’s world from the beginning. Raised on a soundtrack of rare groove, soul, and the countercultural currents of the UK electronic scene, he grew up with parents who were, in his words, effectively “DJing” at him from an early age. His mother was part of the Boy’s Own crew, while his grandmother, who was involved with the ANC in South Africa during apartheid, regularly attended performances by artists including Hugh Masekela.
His own musical journey began with djembe and piano before an early fascination with drums led him to West London’s Rhythm Studio. It was there he first heard the sounds of Katalyst, IG Culture and Afronaut drifting from a neighbouring room, an early glimpse into a creative lineage that continues to resonate throughout his work today.
Recent years have seen Mackwood perform at major stages including Glastonbury, We Out Here, Wilderness, Brick Lane Jazz Festival, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Jazz Café, establishing him as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging crossover artists. This August his dynamic live show graced London’s legendary Ronnie Scott’s ahead of the official release of ‘Sammy’.
While ‘Sammy’ marks his debut release for Tru Thoughts, Mackwood has spent years becoming one of the most distinctive voices in London’s new wave of player-producers. Cutting his teeth alongside artists including Col3trane, ELIZA and Jim Legxacy, and emerging through projects such as Silhouettes Project, Levitation Orchestra, and session drumming for Theon Cross, he has built a practice that moves fluidly between progressive jazz, beat-making and club culture.
Tru Thoughts heard about this music through BandLab Technologies (BandLab/ReverbNation) through an artist submission campaign via Opportunities, and BandLab/ReverbNation are supporting this release.
