Imperial Boxmen’s new self-titled album is a 8 song journey of original music takes you through an international confluence of downtempo, jazz, and funk has been described as “jazz for hip hop and deep house heads.” Similar artists include Kamaal Williams, Yussef Dayes, Sons of Kemet, Robert Glasper and Makaya McCraven. To celebrate the album’s release, the band have shared the single “Dillatente.” This August, Imperial Boxmen will perform at Dorian’s in Chicago, a popular speakeasy tucked away behind a record store.

Imperial Boxmen’ represents a culmination of keyboardist/producer Kevin Ford’s years of live experimentation and studio composition. The album features a power ensemble of heavyweight Chicago players. The album builds on Ford’s incredible catalog and resume collaborating, and performing with the late Fela Kuti drummer, Tony Allen and Chicago Afrobeat Project.

Ford’s sensibilities as an electronic music producer and downtempo DJ shine through his compositions drawing comparisons to UK jazz breakout star Kamaal Williams. However, Ford’s style is uniquely his and when combined with Alex Austin’s masterful bass tactics, Noah Plotkin’s authentic 70s drumming style.

From Imperial Boxmen:

“Dillatente is a jazz-infused, in-the-pocket strut that pays subtle homage to J Dilla and other rare-groove oriented samplers. Dominated by dreamy synth strings and sublime Fender Rhodes chords over a swing-hop beat, the song provides the feel that many legendary hip-hop producers used as a canvas to classic songs”

Imperial Boxmen
Imperial Boxmen
Track List
600 Block Records

1. Type B
2. Reduxion
3. Imperial 7
4. Hashley
5. Garbage Pale Kids
6. Dillatente
7. No Solo En Paso
8. Strawberry Feels