The Roots
Stay Cool / Duck Down!

Hailing from South Carolina, Contour AKA Khari Lucas brings a fresh flow to black soul music on the fast-rising London label Touching Bass. Contour uses the 12 tracks on 'Onwards!' to reflect on the nature of black art - past, present and future. His tools of expression include his shakey but mesmerising voice, smoked-out beats and compelling lyricism. In an era full of excellent progressive 'soul' music (think Liv.e or Sudan Archives), Contour contributes a new gold standard. Shout out to Gabe Rivera for the gorgeous 35mm imagery, which he hand-developed in his home darkroom.