Stepping out from behind the kit, Sam Michnik makes a confident introduction with ‘Inside’, his first release under First Word Records and the first taste of his forthcoming Mad Honey EP. Built around a laid-back, jazz-tinged boom-bap groove, the track balances earthy rhythmicity with a more atmospheric palette, as Nicola Guida’s ethereal keys add a hazy dimension to the production. Lex Amor and Brother Portrait bring contrasting vocal textures, weaving their perspectives through the production. There’s a natural sense of community running through the track, reflecting Sam Michnik’s years spent moving through London’s jazz, soul and hip-hop circles, while still feeling distinctly personal.