Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings, Tom Skinner & More Prep Miles Davis Tribute ‘London Brew’

Nubya Garcia, , Tom Skinner and other top U.K. jazz musicians recorded an album inspired by Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew. Concord Jazz will release London Brew, featuring the lead single “Miles Chases New Voodoo in the Church,” on March 31.

Producer and guitarist Martin Terefe and executive producer Bruce Lampcov brought together the impressive ensemble for recording sessions in December 2020 at Paul Epworth’s Church Studios in London. Along with Garcia (saxophone, flute), Hutchings (saxophone, woodwinds), Skinner (drums, percussion) and Terefe, other participants include Benji B (decks, sonic re-cycling), Theon Cross (tuba), Raven Bush (violin, electronics), Tom Herbert (electric bass, double bass), Nikolaj Torp Larsen (synthesizers, melodica), Nick Ramm (piano, synthesizers), Dan See (drums, percussion) and Dave Okumu (guitar).

“In all my years of recording, I’d never been involved in an improvisatory process on this scale,” said The Invisible’s Dave Okumu. “Its ease and sense of endlessness is surely a testament to the caliber of each musician and the unique manner in which they’ve taken on the lessons Miles set before us through his recording and performances.”

Originally conceived as a 50th-anniversary concert celebrating the release of Davis’ landmark 1970 album Bitches Brew that was planned for early 2020, the pandemic interfered with those plans and led to the tribute album being recorded instead. Among the eight tracks on London Brew is “Miles Chases New Voodoo in the Church,” which was detailed in a statement from Garcia:

“This single is our interpretation of Miles Davis’ ode to Jimi Hendrix (‘Miles Runs the Voodoo Down’). I’ve always been very inspired by the creative minds of both Miles and Jimi … Both were innovators who carved their own lanes, which is something I’ve aspired to in my own career. For a while now I’ve been experimenting and using pedals and effects with my instrument, so to be able to do that on this track, while paying tribute to their legacies, was a joy both creatively and personally.”

Stream “Miles Chases New Voodoo in the Church” below:

London Brew Tracklist

1. London Brew
2. London Brew Pt.2 – Trainlines
3. Miles Chases New Voodoo in the Church
4. Nu Sha Ni Sha Nu Oss Ra
5. It’s One of These
6. Bassics
7. Mor Ning Prayers
8. Raven Flies Low