Photo: MVINTY
Rooted in jazz tradition yet shaped by a wide range of influences, from flamenco and bossa nova to neo-classical minimalism, funk, soul and 90s hip-hop, Robin Katz has performed widely across the UK, collaborating with artists including Disclosure, Reuben James, Georgia Cecile, Giacomo Smith, Kourosh Kanani, the London Django Collective and Joseph Lawrence. His debut EP Oceans for Eros, created with orchestrator Guy Barker, introduced his expansive musical voice, followed by his recent album Rock Music, produced by FREEMONK.
Once again building on those same jazz foundations, Katz’s new album Hypnos finds him at his most subtle, with deceptively intricate guitars paired to the new addition of Hammond organ, which are played by guest musician Nathaniel Ledwidge. At once atmospheric and otherworldly, the organ playing here is at odds with what most may associate the sound of the instrument with and adds a soulful and intimate counterpart to Katz poignant compositions.
Aside from jazz, Robin’s sound is shaped by an enthusiasm for eclectic creative culture: from Mughal art to hip-hop samples, the Japanese philosophy of Ukiyo, and Greek mythology,
We thought we should find out how all of these interests come together to make Robin the unique musician he is, so we asked him to pick three albums that have hugely influenced his music.
Toumani Diabaté – The Mandé Variations
I’ve listened to this album on repeat, it’s such an elegant body of music.
I am forever in awe of the sophistication of Malian griot music and of the Kora. The tension between the music sitting in free, rubato time and then the immaculate pocket it gets into has definately inspired me.
Nils Frahm – All Melody
A masterpiece by a modern master.
This special record has bought me to tears and has left me feeling well and truly schooled. It is a lesson in sonic sophistication and melodic space.
Piero Umiliani – La Consolazione Della Pietra (OST)
A somewhat obscure album by the master of Italian cinema soundtracks. The guitar playing is beautiful and largely left alone apart from a Hammond organ that acts as a soft bed of sonic gorgeousness that quietly supports.
It was hearing the version of ‘Crepusolo sul Mare’ on this record that first gave me the idea to pair nylon string guitar with a Hammond organ on Hypnos.
Hypnos is released on May 29 2026 via Gearbox Records and can be pre-ordered HERE
