Tom Skinner, the acclaimed drummer and co-founder of The Smile and Sons of Kemet, has announced his second solo album, Kaleidoscopic Visions, set for release on September 26th via Brownswood Recordings and International Anthem. Alongside the announcement, Skinner has shared the album’s intricate title track.
The new single, “Kaleidoscopic Visions,” serves as a perfect introduction to the album’s immersive world. Skinner describes it as the first piece he wrote for the record, one that “set the tone for my approach and the sound I wanted to achieve.” The track unfolds with feather-light instrumental interplay over Skinner’s hypnotic rhythm, creating what he calls a “moody, cinematic flow within a hazy, psychedelic backdrop.”
Kaleidoscopic Visions sees Skinner expanding on the improvisational foundations of his 2022 debut, Voices of Bishara, moving towards more fully composed, personal material. The album is structured across two distinct halves. The A-side features instrumental pieces performed by his live band, which includes bassist Tom Herbert, cellist Kareem Dayes, and woodwind players Robert Stillman and Chelsea Carmichael, with a guest appearance from Portishead’s Adrian Utley.
The B-side introduces a suite of vocal collaborations that stretch Skinner’s sound into soulful, dream-like territories. Highlights include “The Maxim,” a ten-minute dub-infused meditation with the iconic Meshell Ndegeocello, and tracks featuring singer Contour(Khari Lucas) and London keyboardist-vocalist Yaffra (Jonathan Geyevu).
This new project consolidates the myriad threads of Skinner’s versatile career, weaving together his experiences from across London’s vibrant jazz and electronic scenes into a profoundly personal statement.
Skinner will support the album with tour dates this autumn, including US shows in Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia in October, followed by a headline performance at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall for the EFG London Jazz Festival on November 21st.
Tour Dates:
October 1 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall (w/ Makaya McCraven)
October 6- Brooklyn, NY – Public Records
October 7 – Philadelphia, PA – Solar Myth
November 21 – London, UK – Queen Elizabeth Hall (EFG London Jazz Festival)