Music in Focus: Devra’s On the Way

Italian drummer, producer, and composer Devra steps confidently into the spotlight with On the Way, a richly textured digital EP released via Root Records on Friday 5th December. Originally from Vicenza, Devra first built his reputation as a sought-after session drummer on the Italian scene, working across jazz, pop, indie and electronic music with artists such as Ghemon, Joan Thiele, Hu, Elodie, and jazz heavyweights Ares Tavolazzi, Robert Bonisolo and Pietro Tonolo. Having come up through the underground with quiet determination, he has steadily earned the trust of tastemakers including Jamie Cullum on BBC Radio 2, DJs at Jazz FM and Soho Radio, and Italian selectors like Alessio Bertallot and Max Conti.

A collaboration with Californian beatmaker and label mate Paul Grant sits at the heart of the project, where infectious synth lines glide over swung grooves that move fluidly between sun‑kissed samba, bossa flavours and a laid‑back hip‑hop shuffle. Throughout the EP, Devra explores the idea of transition—each track is rooted in a place that holds personal meaning for his collaborators, adding emotional depth and a strong sense of identity to the record.

The title track, On the Way, serves as both centrepiece and mission statement. Interlaced with a vocal sample that underlines the importance of passion, drive and commitment to creativity, it captures the emotional weight of pushing forward despite doubt and fatigue. Musically, it sits somewhere between RH Factor and Butcher Brown: Francesco Fratini’s soulful trumpet and Lorenzo De Luca’s earthy tenor saxophone blend seamlessly with Devra’s fluid rhythm changes and deep backbeat pocket, resulting in an irresistible, forward‑moving bop.

Elsewhere, standout cut Vondelpark Bop leans into the EP’s collaborative spirit, featuring acclaimed UK trumpeter Jackson Mathod. Inspired by Mathod’s love for Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, the track channels the spirit of the late Roy Hargrove, with a palpable connection between Devra and Mathod heard in their emotive rhythmic exchanges and melodic interplay.

RSB Variations finds Devra teaming up with label mate The Offline for a piece that merges their sound worlds through a shared love of skateboarding. A tribute to The Offline’s favourite Hamburg skating spot, Rollschuhbahn, the track’s moody melodies and slow‑burning grooves create an immersive, trip‑hop‑leaning atmosphere that closes the EP on a reflective, cinematic note.

With On the Way, Devra translates years of experience as an in‑demand drummer into a cohesive, personal statement as a bandleader and producer. It’s a warm, groove‑driven project that rewards close listening while remaining instantly accessible—an exciting step forward from an artist clearly still on the move.