The rise of U.K. jazz in a post-To Pimp a Butterfly has been one of the most exciting underground developments in British music these past few years. Blue Lab Beats, London duo NK-OK and Mr D.M, are a great introduction to a hugely experimental and collaborative scene which blends elements of hip-hop and electronic dance music into its classic jazz influences. Their debut album Xover (pronounced "crossover") was released earlier this year and features a number of key players from the British jazz world, including Moses Boyd and Nubya Garcia.
Today, April 18, Blue Lab Beats premiere their "Oooo Lala" video on The FADER. The laid-back vibe of the instrumental track is matched with a slick visual in which three dancers move through a greasy spoon cafeteria. The dancers glide between plates of pie and mash as Kaidi Akinnibi's saxophone brings the song to life. Keep an eye out for the Blue Lab Beats guys making a cameo right at the end.
Speaking to The FADER about the video, NK-OK of Blue Lab Beats said: “From the moment we saw the video concept we loved it. We also loved that my sister Taali K choreographed the whole thing. She knows our sound backwards. The dancers complimented Kaidi's sax perfectly. New jazz, new dance, new everything!"
Xover is out now. Check out the "Oooo Lala" video above.