Description

Illa J & Ash Walker – Off Days In London (LP) [Barely Breaking Even BBE783]

‘Off Days in London’ is an EP made by Illa J (Detroit) and Ash Walker. The serendipitous meeting of these two innovative musicians happened in London in 2023, while Illa J took a break from his European tour dates and found solace in Ash Walker’s studio. In between a busy schedule of radio interviews and brand endorsements, Ash & Illa found a way to write and record 4 tracks which are a breath of fresh air to any hip hop or jazz fan.

The work rate and talent is apparent from track one, and this EP will definitely leave the listener wanting a full-length project from the pair. Both artists bonded over many similarities, including food choices and musical inspiration (they both featured Detroit legend Amp Fiddler on their latest studio albums). This provided the perfect base for them to cook up some soulful gumbo in the studio and prepare it for the world. When BBE’s founder Peter Adarkwah caught wind of the project and the possibility of releasing it he said ‘Thank You’.

The EP sees Ash & Illa J share controls at the production helm, while John Yancey offers vocals, both singing and rapping on the project. We catch Illa in rare form, effortlessly drifting between the two styles with grown subject matter. This project was born out of 96 hours of organic collaboration – begun by a chance brunch supplied by the savant keyboardist Abram Al and eggslut. Leave your shoes at the door and come inside for some real music.

PLEASE NOTE: The image shown is printed on the labels. The record comes in a generic black sleeve with hype sticker.