Henry Wu

Henry Wu (Kamaal Williams) is a central figure in the South London jazz explosion of the 2010s. His sound identity is built on 'broken beat' (bruk), a rhythmic style characterized by complex syncopation and a staggered, off-beat feel.

As a session player turned producer, Wu bridges the gap between traditional musicianship and modern beat-making. His career arc saw him rise through the 22a and Rhythm Section International labels, eventually forming the influential duo Yussef Kamaal. His work is characterized by a heavy use of Fender Rhodes, analog synthesizers, and drum machines that mimic the swing of a live drummer. Critically, he is praised for revitalizing jazz by stripping away its academic pretension and reconnecting it with the dancefloor and urban street culture. He is a key node in a network that includes artists like Shabaka Hutchings and Moses Boyd, representing a shift toward a more groove-centric, improvisational style of UK electronic music.