South London hip hop duo Summers Sons and producer and pianist C.Tappin return with their second collaborative album, Lightworks, arriving on 6th November via DeepMatter Records. Eight years in the making, the project is a deeply personal exploration of family, friendship, community and perseverance, blending soulful hip hop with rich live instrumentation and influences from London’s thriving jazz scene.
Comprised of brothers Turt (vocals) and Slim (production), Summers Sons share a lifelong friendship with C.Tappin, a connection that stretches back to their childhood. That shared history forms the backbone of Lightworks, allowing the trio to explore personal experiences with an honesty and vulnerability that runs throughout the record. Drawing inspiration from the capital’s influential grime and hip hop scenes of the 2000s, alongside the contemporary UK jazz movement, the album represents a natural evolution of their sound.
Opening track ‘Balance’ explores the struggle of juggling creative ambitions with the realities of everyday life, from financial pressures to family responsibilities. ‘Rotate’ and ‘Seasons’ build on these themes, reflecting on the turbulent journey behind the album and the importance of embracing change. With echoes of Loyle Carner’s introspective storytelling and the soulful warmth of Children of Zeus, the tracks capture the group’s ability to turn personal experiences into something universally relatable. Elsewhere, ‘Bonds Like These’ celebrates the friendships and relationships that have remained constant despite life’s many challenges.
The foundations of Lightworks were laid back in 2018 during the creation of their previous collaborative project, Uhuru. A transformative live performance by D’Angelo & The Vanguard inspired the trio to move beyond their traditional sample-based approach and explore a more expansive sound built around live musicianship.
Their involvement with The Silhouettes Project, the East London hip hop collective associated with the legendary Total Refreshment Centre, proved instrumental in bringing that vision to life. Surrounded by a creative community that has helped nurture artists including ENNY, Nix Northwest and Eerf Evil, the trio connected with musicians capable of adding new depth to their compositions. With C.Tappin’s expressive piano playing, Slim handling drums and bass, and Turt guiding the lyrical direction, contributions from trumpeter Poppy Daniels and violinist Clementine Brown help give the album its distinctive musical character.
Having previously shared stages with Loyle Carner and Children of Zeus, alongside collaborations with Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn, Nix Northwest and KeepVibesNear, Summers Sons have steadily built a reputation as one of the UK’s most compelling underground hip hop acts. Support from Gilles Peterson, NTS and Clash Magazine has further cemented their standing within the scene.
With Lightworks, Summers Sons and C.Tappin deliver something that goes beyond a conventional hip hop release. It’s a reflection of growing older, navigating uncertainty and finding strength in the people around you. Warm, thoughtful and rooted in genuine experience, the album celebrates the creative possibilities that emerge when friendship, musicianship and community come together.
As the trio perfectly summarise their outlook, “The work ain’t always light, but the light is always working.”