SML is a quintet composed of luminaries from Los Angeles’s thriving jazz, improvised, and indie music scenes: bassist Anna Butterss (Jason Isbell, Phoebe Bridgers, Makaya McCraven, Daniel Villarreal), synthesist Jeremiah Chiu (Ariel Kalma, Marta Sofia Honer, Icy Demons), saxophonist Josh Johnson (Meshell Ndegeocello, Leon Bridges, Carlos Niño), percussionist Booker Stardrum (Amirtha Kidambi, Lisel, Lee Ranaldo, Patrick Shiroishi) and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann (Sam Wilkes, Meg Duffy, Perfume Genius). Their debut album, Small Medium Large, released in 2024 on International Anthem, has garnered significant critical acclaim. Spectrum Culture described the album as a cohesive and relaxed continuum with an omnidirectional flow, noting the seamless blend of live performance with studio editing and the inventive use of electronics alongside acoustic instruments. Hearing Things highlighted their sold-out shows and described their sound as electro-jazz-funk, emphasizing their unshowy approach and focus on the groove. Boomkat called the album a heady, psychedelic study of raw grooves, influenced by a diverse range of artists from Miles Davis to Can. Treblezine noted the album’s hypnotic grooves and its ability to morph into different shapes, some concrete and some abstract. Recorded live at the now-shuttered ETA in Los Angeles, the album showcases the quintet’s remarkable synergy and individual talents, making it a must-listen for fans of experimental and improvised music. Slate included the track “Window Sill Song” in their list of the best music of 2024.

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