{"title":"CKtrl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCKtrl is a talented artist known for his unique blend of electronic and jazz music. With influences ranging from Duval Timothy to Rosie Lowe, CKtrl has created a distinct sound that captivates listeners. His music combines intricate beats with soulful melodies, creating an immersive experience for the audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving collaborated with artists such as Mansur Brown and Joe Armon-Jones, CKtrl has established himself as a respected figure in the music industry. His experimental approach to production sets him apart from other artists, pushing boundaries and challenging traditional genres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith releases on renowned labels like Melo-Zed's label 'Darker Than Wax' and appearances at festivals such as Dimensions Festival, CKtrl continues to gain recognition for his innovative sound. Whether performing live or producing in the studio, CKtrl never fails to deliver an electrifying performance that leaves audiences wanting more.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"yield","title":"Yield","description":"\u003cp\u003eBritish musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ cktrl returns with the release of his new EP \u003ci\u003eYield\u003c\/i\u003e. Born from a desire to change the narrative around contemporary Black British music, the boundary-pushing musician aims with this project to prioritise the art of bonafide musicianship. A stark departure from cktrl’s previous work, ‘Yield’ is a celestial and palpably more inward body of work that harkens back to the pre-electric age of modal jazz while simultaneously pulling in elements from the disciplines of classical and baroque music. Speaking on the project’s sonic identity, cktrl says: “I want to be able to show that you can make things from scratch again that have that feeling and beauty without having to sample an old record. Even though that’s an art-form within itself, I want to show raw orchestration and instrumentation can be the sole source” The origins of the title came from a period where cktrl was looking to find solace in himself after an introspective period of grief and heartbreak. As an intentionally instrumental project with minimal vocals, cktrl wants prospective listeners to see these new songs as guided meditations where they can wholly insert themselves in it. Eliciting and reaping whatever feelings come to the fore. Speaking on what ‘Yield’ means to him as a concept, cktrl explains: “Some people who I've asked to define the word ‘yield’ have looked at it from a harvest point of view, whereas others have seen it as something to submit to, to render, like you're giving up yourself. I see it as a barometer for how you feel - no matter if you're at your lowest or your highest vibration, you still need to show up for yourself. You still have to be present. It’s about getting the best from yourself no matter where you are in life” \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe new project is the follow up to last year’s \u003ci\u003eZero\u003c\/i\u003e which featured collaborations with esteemed contemporaries like the grammy-nominated Mereba and anaiis. Upon the project’s release, it was met with a plethora of critical acclaim from highly regarded publications and platform such as British Vogue, Dazed, Crack Magazine, Resident Advisor, Notion, Harper's Bazaar and ES Magazine for its sprawling and experimental scope, spanning avant-garde jazz, classical music, alternative R\u0026amp;B and electronica. cktrl has a tune for every occasion: as content making beats by himself at home in Lewisham as he is amongst this generation’s fashion and cultural vanguards. Music has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember: from clarinet lessons throughout his school life to fond memories from his NTS days. Moulded by a unique blend of his West Indian heritage, years of classical training in both the clarinet and saxophone, cktrl strives to do what hasn’t been done before. His approach to creation is decidedly wide-ranging and broad. In fact, where sonic descriptions might fail to encompass the breadth of cktrl’s scope, three words surface when he unpacks his musical aims: freedom, range and feeling. Elsewhere, throughout his career, Cktrl has been recognised and heralded by fashion and film VIPs as he firmly embeds himself within the black cultural renaissance emerging here in Britain. Acquiring a global network of creatives that include the late Virgil Abloh, Bianca Saunders, Tremaine Emory, Saul Nash, Maximilian Davis, Ahluwalia, Stephen Isaac Wilson, Sean Frank, Campbell Addy, Ib Kamara and Jenn Nkiru who secured him a cameo in Beyoncé’s ground-breaking film \u003ci\u003eBlack Is King\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CKtrl","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50432657817931,"sku":"1166187","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f04fbbf9-0c4a-4c91-b98a-7c735517093a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726871722"},{"product_id":"robyn","title":"Robyn","description":"\u003cp\u003eWith \u003ci\u003eRobyn\u003c\/i\u003e, South London’s cktrl shares his most ambitious work yet, collaborating with the likes of Duval Timothy, Coby Sey (Micachu, Tirzah, Dean Blunt) and Purple Ferdinand to create a vital exploration of contemporary-classical from the black perspective; out via Errol and Alex Rita’s Touching Bass. Spurred on by the overpowering feelings of heartbreak, Robyn impressively creates emotive and heartfelt clarinet and saxophone-led soundscapes about the all-consuming power of love. On the project, cktrl says: “‘\u003ci\u003eRobyn\u003c\/i\u003e’ at its core is heartbreak and is just really sentimental. It’s a journey of losing a love but it ends with optimism as you find strength to love again.” \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBorn and bred in Lewisham, cktrl aka Bradley Miller is an integral part of London’s pioneering musical underground. One of the only remaining original DJs on NTS, cktrl has previously worked with and played alongside the likes of Sampha, Sango, Kelela and Dean Blunt. Throughout his career to date, cktrl has also been recognised and heralded by fashion and film VIPs including Virgil Abloh, Bianca Saunders, Tremaine Emory, Nicholas Daley and Jenn Nkiru who recently secured him a cameo in Beyonce’s heralded ‘Black Is King’. With a shared ethos of elevating and amplifying leftfield black music, he partners with London based label, Touching Bass, themselves a key cog within the city’s bubbling musical underbelly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Touching Bass","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50466266579275,"sku":"1110166","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Clear | LP","offer_id":50466266710347,"sku":"1134726","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7a46baa4-e24c-4cff-a5fb-471b816c4780_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727309441"},{"product_id":"zero","title":"Zero","description":"\u003cp\u003eComing off the back of covers on Crack and Perfect Magazine cktrl announces his highly anticipated new EP\u003ci\u003e Zero\u003c\/i\u003e. The producer and multi-instrumentalist shares his latest blend of contemporary-classical and electronic R\u0026amp;B that features a collaboration with Grammy Award-nominated singer, songwriter 'Mereba' with artwork captured by multi-award winning Campbell Addy. The follow-up to last year’s critically acclaimed EP \u003ci\u003erobyn\u003c\/i\u003e which charted a journey from heartbreak to optimism, ‘zero’ is a tender exploration into love. As a genre-spanning artist whose music waives between R\u0026amp;B, jazz and neo-classical, cktrl’s latest record builds on his emotive sound whilst leaning towards a more electronic-tinged style of production with stunning featured vocals. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the project, cktrl says: \"\u003ci\u003eZero\u003c\/i\u003e allowed me to explore my journeys in knowing love. And as a result I now know that I need to allow myself to let my relationships be what they're meant (to manifest organically) free of expectations and without dreams of an idea of someone. Past hurt definitely informed my decisions but it was so crucial for me to grieve those feelings from \u003ci\u003erobyn\u003c\/i\u003e and learn how to be gentle with myself. Just to be able to feel something new, loving again is always different and exciting, once you can open up. \u003ci\u003eZero\u003c\/i\u003e is that journey of ending up back where you started but different, loved and willing to give.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe EP opens with the touching \u003ci\u003emazes\u003c\/i\u003e - initially released back in May via a beautifully crafted video courtesy of Yasser Abubeker. On this cut cktrl’s skills as a saxophonist immediately shine through as he portrays the complexities of loving someone through all its twists and turns. On title track Z\u003ci\u003eero\u003c\/i\u003e cktrl links with Ethiopian-American musician Mereba for a forward-thinking yet delicate collaboration that effortlessly meanders between cktrl’s various musical influences, before \u003ci\u003efelt\u003c\/i\u003e provides a luscious display of soulful soundscapes. Accompanied by the angelic vocals from rising artists Anaiis, Annahstasia and Anajah, it’s a blissful celebration of love. The project closes out with \u003ci\u003esafe\u003c\/i\u003e, a contemporary R\u0026amp;B banger backed by a bass-driven beat and rich vocals, framing \u003ci\u003eZero\u003c\/i\u003e as a stimulating collection of tracks that expand cktrl’s impressive repertoire of talent. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CKtrl","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50530486714699,"sku":"1166191","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/631bdf8e-9168-4b50-ac80-71accdf6a6fc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728079869"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_65c971d4_thumbnail_4096_c3c12f78-cc9e-4363-9b5c-9dc4b98d2659.jpg?v=1726871703","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/cktrl.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}