Brief
The Comet Is Coming to reissue debut album for 10th anniversary
The London jazz trio’s debut album returns as an expanded collection with unreleased material.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Comet Is Coming, the London‑based jazz trio led by saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, announced a 10th‑anniversary reissue of their debut album Channel the Spirits. The expanded set, titled Exploding in Slow Motion: the Complete Channel the Spirits Recordings 2013‑2017CE, will be released on November 20 via Leaf.
What happened
The reissue bundles the original Mercury‑nominated album with its surrounding EPs—Prophecy and Death to the Planet—and adds four previously unreleased recordings, including “Late Night Party Jam 2,” recorded at the Total Refreshment Centre during the band’s residency on October 6, 2026.
What the reports add
Pitchfork notes that the new collection also contains live cuts and rarities, expanding the original tracklist to 26 pieces. The label Leaf will handle distribution, and the release date is set for November 20.
What was said
In a press release, Shabaka Hutchings said, “I like that the freshness of that initial encounter is documented and understood as the album, but then the way we related to it personally gig after gig matured… It’s a snapshot of a particular energy in London at that time.” (Pitchfork)
How it came about
The trio, formed with Danalogue and Betamax, first emerged from the Total Refreshment Centre scene, becoming a key influence on 2010s London jazz. After announcing a split in 2023 and cancelling a final concert in solidarity with Palestine, Hutchings released a solo album in 2024. The anniversary reissue revisits that formative period.
Key facts
- The Comet Is Coming will release an expanded reissue titled Exploding in Slow Motion on Nov 20 via Leaf. (pitchfork.com)
- The set includes the original album, two EPs, and four unreleased tracks such as Late Night Party Jam 2. (pitchfork.com)
- Shabaka Hutchings said the reissue captures the energy of London’s jazz scene in the mid‑2010s. (pitchfork.com)
Sources
- [1] pitchfork.com — originally reported as “The Comet Is Coming Unearth Archival Songs for Channel the Spirits Reissue”
