MDR Selects, a series where we invite our favourite artists, record stores, labels and more to curate a playlist of songs that hold specific meaning to them.
For this edition we’re over the moon to welcome French producer and instrumentalist Neue Grafik aka Fred N’thepe. The critically acclaimed artist has released on a number of heavyweight labels including Rhythm Section, 22a & Wolf Music.
Both as a solo artist and with the Neue Grafik Ensemble, N’thepe has been constantly pushing the boundaries of jazz music, infusing it with elements of hip-hop, house, breaks and grime. Whilst his music also draws heavily on his African heritage and background in the Parisian underground scene, it is also tempered by a distinct London feel. His latest release “Foulden Road”, recorded with the Neue Grafik Ensemble, epitomises these heterogenous influences and clearly demonstrates N’thepe’s place at the forefront of the new and exciting movement that’s developing within the London jazz scene.
For his MDR Selects playlist, Neue Grafik gives us a comprehensive guide into the disparate sounds that have aided him in the creation of his own. As he explains, “This selection represents all my influences, references and important music in my life throughout these last two special years between Paris and London. Broken beat, jazz, grime, experimental, funk, new, old, spiritual, as well as some French psychedelic music for instance. That music has often been seen and heard live at venues like Unit 31, TRC, Steam Down, Jazz Cafe, Jazz re:freshed, Somerset House, Bussey Building or even a Jamaican bakery. In that sense, this playlist clearly shows you the kind of music surrounding my next release and my state of mind. Peace and I hope you’ll enjoy this playlist as much as I did.”