Illa J & Ash Walker link on new EP

Detroit meets London in a cross-continental creative fusion as Illa J and Ash Walker link up for their latest EP, Off Days in London. Both artists, celebrated for their genre-fluid sounds and unique visions, bring their highly original styles together in a musical collision that’s as smooth as it is innovative.

Coming out of Detroit, Illa J is a musical virtuoso who grew up surrounded by the rhythms of jazz and soul thanks to his father’s legacy as a jazz bassist and his mother’s vocal talent as well as the influence of his older brother, hip hop icon J Dilla. Illa J first cut his teeth as a member of the legendary group Slum Village and now as a solo artist blending his vocal and production talents into a unique sonic identity.

Meanwhile, Ash Walker, a London-based artist with an award-winning career, has made an impression in the music world with his blend of jazz, blues, soul, funk and reggae. Known for his deeply original sound and creative collaborations, he’s built a reputation for delivering tracks that shine with emotion and groove.

Their chance meeting in London last year turned an ordinary day into the start of an extraordinary project. While taking a break from his European tour, Illa J found his way into Ash’s studio and between juggling radio interviews and brand collaborations, the duo found time to create a four-track EP. Released on the BBE Music imprint, Off Days in London channels the pair’s chemistry and shared love for soulful, genre-blurring music. Label founder Peter Adarkwah was quick to see the project’s potential, summing up his excitement with a simple yet emphatic “Thank You” upon hearing the tracks.

The project draws from their shared influences, including Detroit legend Amp Fiddler, who’s previously featured on both of their recent albums as well as their mutual appreciation for soul, jazz and hip hop styles. With Illa J’s compelling vocal performances and Ash Walker’s exquisite sound design and production panache, the duo serves up a stunning release that draws on their unique talents to craft an artistic work that’s more than the sum of its parts.

Kicked off with with the track “Peace,” the hushed pulse and soft snap of the beat is met by mellow vocal flows as gently shimmering keys and warm basslines combine to set up a a silky hip hop jam cut with alternative R&B aesthetics and soulful vibes. “True” pairs shuffling beats with smooth instrumentation capped by rich vocal lines and meaningful lyricism, resulting in an engaging sound that’s at once timeless and forward-thinking.

With “What?!” they lay down a bouncy groove and lively vocal stabs before gliding into razor-sharp rapped flows driven by the slick rattle of dusty drums and airy arrangement of keys, bass lines and stretched atmospheric textures. Closing the EP with “Vibe,” dreamy key tones usher in the swung clop of the beat as delicate vocal flourishes glide above, progressing with memorable hooks and alluring rhythmic patters to present a superb finale to the pair’s sensational collaborative EP.

Listen to Off Days In London below