Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by Gabriel Teodros, host of Early on KEXP, is "Can We Do This? (feat. Sampha)" by Speakers Corner Quartet, a 2023 single on OTIH Records.
KEXP loves a literal name ("The Morning Show on KEXP," anyone?), and jazz collective Speakers Corner Quartet have just that. The group formed in 2006 as the in-house band at South London landmark Speakers' Corner, a place that hosted open-mic nights where these four musicians would play for hours, improvising hip-hop beats for guest MCs to rap over. “There’s never been a rush as we’re just happy being in a room together," percussionist Kwake Bass told Qobuz. "Playing instruments is just an extension of that and I think that’s what the community is all about, it’s just another part of the conversation.”
Now, as a recording collective, they continue to bring that live experience to their albums with an impressive list of guests. They've worked with Novelist, Joey Bada$$, Kae Tempest, Mica Levi, and on today's Song of the Day, fellow South London artist Sampha. Check out the video below, directed by Akinola Davies, and featuring Tirzah, Léa Sen, Ezra Collective's Joe Armon-Jones, James Massiah, and more.
