Listen to Sampha on Richard Russell's "Close But Not Quite"

In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Richard Russell—the head of XL Recordings—explained the foundation that has made the label what it is today. Noting the key is working with artists who have an “uncompromising vision,” rather than viral sensations with a quick burning flame. 

Russell is currently working on a project of his own, under the name Everything Is Recorded. The project is due to feature guest appearances from a list of notable names like Sampha who appears on "Close But Not Quite." Last night, Russell stopped by BBC Radio 1 to premiere the official single on MistaJam's radio show. Earlier this year, we heard a live rendition of this single.

"Close But Not Quite" is a mid-tempo track starring Sampha's vocals and a few delicate piano chords dancing around his voice. Sampha is accompanied by a short, but pivotal sample of Curtis Mayfield's "The Makings of You," where Mayfield says the crucial line: "Of the words I've tried to recite / they are close, but not quite."

Listen to a short interview with Russell below, and "Close But Not Quite" at 2:25.