Process

Process is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter and producer Sampha, released in 2017 following years of high-profile collaborations with artists like Drake, Kanye West, and Solange. Despite his reputation as a go-to collaborator, Process established Sampha as a singular auteur. The album is deeply rooted in the personal trauma of his mother’s illness and death, transforming grief into a sophisticated blend of neo-soul and experimental electronica. Recorded across various locations including London and the Isle of Skye, the production by Sampha and Rodaidh McDonald emphasizes 'dry' intimacy, often stripping away reverb to make the listener feel uncomfortably close to the performance. The inclusion of the kora on 'Kora Sings' nods to his Sierra Leonean heritage, while the centerpiece '(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano' became an instant classic of the minimalist soul subgenre. The album won the 2017 Mercury Prize, cementing its status as a definitive work of British soul in the 21st century.