German hip-hop/rap duo Ferge X Fisherman have previously released three well received jazz-infused albums. Their forthcoming fourth full-length record, ‘Good Mother’, is a concept work about facing and embracing various life stages and sees them deploy gospel choirs, vintage strings, soulful Rhodes chords and wah-wah guitar pedals to give the entire record a distinctly ‘70s film soundtrack vibe.

The song ‘Racing’ has been released as its third single and sees FXF shift up a few gears, move out of their comfort zone of laid-back grooves and take inspiration from the likes of BLK ODYSSY, Goldlink and Kendrick Lamar. Dancey, with a buttery smooth, uptempo hip hop production, soulful backing vocals meet relaxed rap flows over a dynamic, vibrant and jazz infused instrumental. The mellow yet catchy hook combined with delicate lyrics make it a song that demands instant replay.

‘Racing’ follows the introductory single ‘Lace Up’ and the recent ‘Adults’, which also featured the soulful voice of London-based R&B singer Jerome Thomas and unique jazz trumpet playing by Takuya Kuroda.

Vocalist Fritz and musician Ferge originally met as teenagers while skateboarding in their home city of Nuremberg. An immediate chemistry between the two swiftly extended to involve crack jazz quartet Nujakasha, who have become an integral part of the FXF set-up both live and in the studio. It is a partnership that has already seen the release of ‘Gone Fishing’ (2018), ‘Blinded By The Neon’ (2020) and ‘Duality’ (2022), on which the likes of Noah Slee, Black Milk, Takuya Kuroda and Hunter Rose have also guested.

‘Good Mother’ kicks things up to another level, boasting a reappearance from Kuroda plus features from Mick Jenkins, Jerome Thomas and Ceeopatra on a multi-dimensional coming-of-age album that explores the complexities involved in the process of growing-up; formative experiences, evaluation of past decisions, sexual insecurity, financial and emotional concerns, as well as the acknowledgement of universal fears as time ticks by.