Black

Kevin Richard Martin, the prolific producer behind The Bug and King Midas Sound, released the solo album Black in 2023 via his own Intercranial Recordings label. Functioning as a stark, instrumental eulogy to the late Amy Winehouse, the project was inspired by Martin’s deep immersion in her life and legacy following the 2015 documentary Amy. The album operates within the realms of doom jazz and dark ambient, stripping away traditional soul structures to focus on atmospheric deconstructions of grief and loss. Sonically, it is defined by cavernous sub-bass frequencies, mournful saxophone contributions, and 76 minutes of predominantly beatless, cinematic drones. Following its initial digital release, the work was expanded into a physical double-LP format in 2024, featuring gatefold artwork by Simon Fowler. Black situates itself as a pivotally personal entry in Martin's discography, echoing the minimalist and emotive sound design previously explored in his 2019 solo record Sirens.