Devra returns with new single ‘Mill Street Samba’ featuring Paul Grant

Italian drummer, composer and producer Devra returns with a vibrant new single titled ‘Mill Street Samba’, featuring acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Paul Grant. Released via Root Records, the track blends modern jazz, samba, and soulful grooves into an uplifting and rhythmically rich listen.

The first track in a new era, the upbeat tones of ‘Mill Street Samba’ come at the perfect time to soundtrack the heat of August, with infectious synth work combining with swung grooves, fluctuating between sun-kissed samba and bossa before transforming into a hip-hop shuffle. Devra shares: “The vibe is kind of modern samba-meets-jazz, but filtered through our own palette. Paul had the original idea — I reworked the rhythm and melody, then developed the arrangement together with Andrea Ragnoli (my go-to guy for synths and keys).”

This release follows his breakthrough self-titled ‘Devra’ EP, which found widespread support in the UK across Jazz FM and Soho Radio, as well as being backed domestically in Italy by coveted youth culture site DLSO and DJs including Alessio Bertallot. The EP was praised for its fusion of Roy Hargrove-esque contemporary jazz with hip-hop sensibilities and a neo-soul swagger.

Originally from Vicenza, Italy, Fabio De Angelis made a name for himself as a session drummer in his native country, collaborating with several artists on the national scene across the worlds of jazz, pop, indie and electronic music. Musically raised in the underground scene, he has steadily made his way with quiet determination, earning the trust of many key figures in the Italian music landscape. Over the years, he has performed and recorded with the likes of Ghemon, Joan Thiele, Hu, and Elodie, as well as with iconic jazz musicians such as Ares Tavolazzi, Robert Bonisolo, and Pietro Tonolo.