Blue Lab Beats
What started as a chance lunchtime encounter has flourished into much more. Meet Namali & David, AKA Blue Lab Beats. When David overheard Namali playing his music to friends in the Weekend Arts College lunch room, he decided they had to work together - from there the collective was born. Eight years later, the Jazztronica duo are at the forefront of the UK jazz scene, playing countless festivals with two albums under their belt, not to mention collaborating with Kojey Radical, Nubya Garcia and Poppy Ajudha to name a few.
With Namali (top left) producing BLB’s music, and David (bottom centre) as the multi-instrumentalist (vibraphone, keys, bass, drums and guitar) the pandemic has definitely changed the way the pair create music, but this has by no means meant a halt in the process. We sat down with the socially distanced duo last week to talk about their most recent album Voyage, their influences and their musical process.
LB: First of all, let’s get this clear – you guys work in the “Blue Lab” and I see a lot of blue – is this related to jazz or am I completely off?
Namali: It’s not just jazz actually – it’s our favourite colour. I dyed my hair WAY before the band and it’s funny cause people often think I did it for that…
Your music has such a groove to it – how do you know you’ve made a song that’ll make people dance?
Namali: It’s mainly that we like it first – that’s the most important thing! But that’s not always the case – you could put loads of money into a track but then the B-side gets more love. When we released Hi There, we put a lot behind it, and when we released our EP Vibe Central, Vibe Tribe was the song! We didn't even put money into this song but it’s the one flying.
Your most recent album, along with your previous material, sounds like there’s such a complex arrangement of influences behind it. What have been your musical inspirations throughout your lives?
Namali: It’s mainly been what my parents listen to. My dad is a musician and my mum was a DJ in the 90s, playing a lot of 80s boogie, rare groove, loads of hip hop, dub, reggae – she was playing huge clubs every week, really at the top of her game. My first favourite album was Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life when I was eight – my favourite songs were the really technical instrumentals and that’s pretty advanced stuff for an eight-year old!
David: Same here – Stevie too. It was his birthday two days ago and I listened to that same album. I really love that song Contusion.
Namali: That was the song when I was eight!
You guys seem to have collaborated with pretty much everyone in the UK jazz scene. What do these collaborations add to the musical process and what have you learnt from working with different artists?
Namali: The most important thing for me in music-making is to have time for yourself but, you also experience such important growth when you learn from other people. There’s this constant emphasis from social media to do it yourself, be your own business, self self self. But to make the best music you have to have other minds as well – I think you can really feel that energy in our songs.
What would your ideal collaboration be?
David: We haven’t worked with Loyle Carner – we’d love to collaborate with him. Anderson Paak, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Don Blackman, Bernard Wright.
Namali: You know what…a random one… Bon Iver! Now he is just SO lit, oh my god. James Blake as well – I just love his writing. The track they did together (I Need a Forest Fire) – that’s my main tune right now.
You’re part of the really powerful and thriving young, UK jazz scene that we’re seeing right now. How would you describe it in your own words?
Namali: We never planned for it to be a scene – everyone was just doing it for fun and nobody was expecting massive festival bookings etc. All of us were just in jam sessions, sharing musical knowledge. It’s really interesting seeing the sub genres coming out of it, like me and David being a Jazztronica duo. We’re just super happy and proud of everyone killing it at the moment.
Any artists we should keep our eyes open for?
David: Nihilism (a London based experimental jazz group).
Namali: Project Karnak, KOKOROKO, Zeñel – they’re (Zeñel) really good and mad young. Levitation Orchestra! That was actually the last gig I went to before lockdown – that was mind-blowing.
That actually feeds into my next question! What’s your favourite independent music venue?
Namali: Sadly it’s closed down now but Mau Mau Bar – that was such a place. I’m very sure everyone in the jazz scene did a headline show there, or their first headline show. Jazz Re:Freshed found the majority of the jazz scene there – it was such an inspiring environment. An old one, Parson Cloud – the energy was mad.
David: Womad Festival was really good!
Namali: Yeah! There were like over a thousand people at our gig and we had no idea. The entire front row was waiting for us for half an hour while we were setting up and we were like, 'Wow there are some really dedicated people here!' That was in our first year of gigging as well so that was crazy.
What are you listening to at the moment?
David: I’m trying to open-up to different genres, so I’ve been checking out some fusion. There’s this bass player – he’s not with us anymore – Victor Bailey – he’s like this virtuoso, up there with Jaco (Pastorius) in terms of playing.
Namali: A lot of Drum and Bass and jungle. I like going through loads of Spotify playlists and finding gems. I’m loving all the artists on Dreamville Records (J. Cole & his manager’s record label) – they’re excellent. Electronic stuff as well – music far away from my current sound so I can push myself.
What’s your go to feel good song?
Namali: Roy Ayers – Sunshine,
Kool and the Gang - Summertime Madness,
Knowledge – Do You.
David: Sunshine, Spinnin’ – Bernard Wright.
Namali: If it’s from the both of us – David, which Don Blackman song – Heart Desire or Holding You, Loving You – for the summer vibe (laughter erupts) ?
David: Holding You, Loving You’s definitely – it’s a classic.
Who would your ideal quarantine mate be, living or dead?
Namali: Probably Herbie Hancock. I just finished reading his book and he’s so inspiring – it’s such an amazing book because he recalls a lot of Miles Davis and backstage stories no-one knows about. Producer wise – Knowledge for sure.
David: Can I have Herbie Hancock as well?
What does the future hold for BLB?
Namali: Well we were supposed to be on tour as well as supporting De La Soul next month – literally my idols out of anyone! These past months I’ve made about 36 tracks and they go back and forth with David, picking the best ones, sending them to artists or keeping them for our next projects.
Hopefully we can hear some of those soon!
My last question to you – we’re out of lockdown and you’ve gone on a wild night out to celebrate. What are you listening to on the Last Bus home?
Namali: Budgie – Anything. That’s a stunning song.
David: It Was a Good Day by Ice Cube.
Namali: Shiiiiiit!
You can keep up to date with Blue Lab Beats via their Instagram where they’re doing monthly jamming challenges (with prizes!), or by heading to their Spotify to check out their most recent releases.