![Bastien Keb - Chapter 5 - A Home [Audio] @Firstwordrecords](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h2vtgzdelOA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Official stream from First Word Records. Distributed by Kudos Records.
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#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #CrossoverJazz
Album: Ghouls [ALBUM]
Track: 18 of 19
Title: Chapter 5 - A Home
Artist: Bastien Keb
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW345
Formats: Vinyl LP/Digital
Digital Release: 14th November 2025
Physical Release: 14th November 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are very proud to bring you 'Ghouls', the 6th studio album from Bastien Keb.
Through the reflective and introspective multi-mood journey of its 19-tracks, this album spans psychedelic-chamber-funk, warped anti-ballads, cinematic instrumentals, Ethio-jazz & ethereal ambience.
Part soundtrack, part beat-tape, part memoir, this is a dreamlike soundscape sewn together from half-forgotten memories & late night breakdowns.
Entirely sample-free, this album is full to the brim with musical experimentation, with Keb's compulsion to make all the individual pieces of music independently; combining strings, harps, saxophones, theremins, clarinets, flutes and trumpets.
He signals to the fuzzy, nostalgic nebulous of mid '90s skate videos, as well as harking back to the scores & moods of movies like The French Connection, Taxi Driver, The Warriors and La Haine. There are whispers of sounds in the air from jazz clubs, street preachers & Turkish restaurants.
Keb describes the sonic experience of this album simply as this… "You're half awake, and half asleep, but you're warm…"
For this 19-track opus, Keb is joined extensively by Malik Ameer Crumpler; a poet, composer, editor and professor based in Paris, who's been involved in numerous albums while writing for various forms of experimental media.
A multi-instrumentalist originally from the Midlands, Bastien Keb (aka Sebastian Jones) previously released his highly-acclaimed album '22.02.85' on First Word back in 2017; this new album being a very welcome return to the Worldwide Award-winning UK independent label.
His music has been widely supported across BBC Radio in the past by DJs including Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Huw Stephens, Jamie Cullum, Lauren Laverne, Mary Anne Hobbs, Nemone and Tom Ravenscroft. This is in addition to glowing press reviews from the likes of Pitchfork, The Guardian and The Line Of Best Fit.
He's built up a steady fanbase through his extensive catalogue over the years, with material for labels like Def Pressé, Gearbox, One-Handed Music and most recently for Shabaka Hutchings' Native Rebel Recordings imprint, on a collaborative project with South London's Confucius MC (Speakers Corner Quartet).
Keb concludes "this record is for anyone feeling lost in a world that seems to have lost itself without knowing it. It's for the people who know that the world is missing the beauty of the lights in the distance, whilst being distracted by new shoes and flashy phones..."
'Ghouls' is due to be released on vinyl & digital worldwide, November 14th 2025.
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw345
Subscribe: https://sb.kud.li/UC_iUEtWIfatGspcK52G3Gug
Official stream from First Word Records. Distributed by Kudos Records.
More music playlists: https://pl.kud.li/UC_iUEtWIfatGspcK52G3Gug
#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #CrossoverJazz
Album: Ghouls [ALBUM]
Track: 18 of 19
Title: Chapter 5 - A Home
Artist: Bastien Keb
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW345
Formats: Vinyl LP/Digital
Digital Release: 14th November 2025
Physical Release: 14th November 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are very proud to bring you 'Ghouls', the 6th studio album from Bastien Keb.
Through the reflective and introspective multi-mood journey of its 19-tracks, this album spans psychedelic-chamber-funk, warped anti-ballads, cinematic instrumentals, Ethio-jazz & ethereal ambience.
Part soundtrack, part beat-tape, part memoir, this is a dreamlike soundscape sewn together from half-forgotten memories & late night breakdowns.
Entirely sample-free, this album is full to the brim with musical experimentation, with Keb's compulsion to make all the individual pieces of music independently; combining strings, harps, saxophones, theremins, clarinets, flutes and trumpets.
He signals to the fuzzy, nostalgic nebulous of mid '90s skate videos, as well as harking back to the scores & moods of movies like The French Connection, Taxi Driver, The Warriors and La Haine. There are whispers of sounds in the air from jazz clubs, street preachers & Turkish restaurants.
Keb describes the sonic experience of this album simply as this… "You're half awake, and half asleep, but you're warm…"
For this 19-track opus, Keb is joined extensively by Malik Ameer Crumpler; a poet, composer, editor and professor based in Paris, who's been involved in numerous albums while writing for various forms of experimental media.
A multi-instrumentalist originally from the Midlands, Bastien Keb (aka Sebastian Jones) previously released his highly-acclaimed album '22.02.85' on First Word back in 2017; this new album being a very welcome return to the Worldwide Award-winning UK independent label.
His music has been widely supported across BBC Radio in the past by DJs including Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Huw Stephens, Jamie Cullum, Lauren Laverne, Mary Anne Hobbs, Nemone and Tom Ravenscroft. This is in addition to glowing press reviews from the likes of Pitchfork, The Guardian and The Line Of Best Fit.
He's built up a steady fanbase through his extensive catalogue over the years, with material for labels like Def Pressé, Gearbox, One-Handed Music and most recently for Shabaka Hutchings' Native Rebel Recordings imprint, on a collaborative project with South London's Confucius MC (Speakers Corner Quartet).
Keb concludes "this record is for anyone feeling lost in a world that seems to have lost itself without knowing it. It's for the people who know that the world is missing the beauty of the lights in the distance, whilst being distracted by new shoes and flashy phones..."
'Ghouls' is due to be released on vinyl & digital worldwide, November 14th 2025.
![Bastien Keb - Chapter 5 - A Home [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h2vtgzdelOA/mqdefault.jpg "Bastien Keb - Chapter 5 - A Home [Audio]
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw345
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Official stream from First Word Records. Distributed by Kudos Records.
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#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #CrossoverJazz
Album: Ghouls [ALBUM]
Track: 18 of 19
Title: Chapter 5 - A Home
Artist: Bastien Keb
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW345
Formats: Vinyl LP/Digital
Digital Release: 14th November 2025
Physical Release: 14th November 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are very proud to bring you Ghouls, the 6th studio album from Bastien Keb.
Through the reflective and introspective multi-mood journey of its 19-tracks, this album spans psychedelic-chamber-funk, warped anti-ballads, cinematic instrumentals, Ethio-jazz & ethereal ambience.
Part soundtrack, part beat-tape, part memoir, this is a dreamlike soundscape sewn together from half-forgotten memories & late night breakdowns.
Entirely sample-free, this album is full to the brim with musical experimentation, with Kebs compulsion to make all the individual pieces of music independently; combining strings, harps, saxophones, theremins, clarinets, flutes and trumpets.
He signals to the fuzzy, nostalgic nebulous of mid 90s skate videos, as well as harking back to the scores & moods of movies like The French Connection, Taxi Driver, The Warriors and La Haine. There are whispers of sounds in the air from jazz clubs, street preachers & Turkish restaurants.
Keb describes the sonic experience of this album simply as this… Youre half awake, and half asleep, but youre warm…
For this 19-track opus, Keb is joined extensively by Malik Ameer Crumpler; a poet, composer, editor and professor based in Paris, whos been involved in numerous albums while writing for various forms of experimental media.
A multi-instrumentalist originally from the Midlands, Bastien Keb (aka Sebastian Jones) previously released his highly-acclaimed album 22.02.85 on First Word back in 2017; this new album being a very welcome return to the Worldwide Award-winning UK independent label.
His music has been widely supported across BBC Radio in the past by DJs including Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Huw Stephens, Jamie Cullum, Lauren Laverne, Mary Anne Hobbs, Nemone and Tom Ravenscroft. This is in addition to glowing press reviews from the likes of Pitchfork, The Guardian and The Line Of Best Fit.
Hes built up a steady fanbase through his extensive catalogue over the years, with material for labels like Def Pressé, Gearbox, One-Handed Music and most recently for Shabaka Hutchings Native Rebel Recordings imprint, on a collaborative project with South Londons Confucius MC (Speakers Corner Quartet).
Keb concludes this record is for anyone feeling lost in a world that seems to have lost itself without knowing it. Its for the people who know that the world is missing the beauty of the lights in the distance, whilst being distracted by new shoes and flashy phones...
Ghouls is due to be released on vinyl & digital worldwide, November 14th 2025.")
![Amanda Whiting - Intertwined (feat. PEACH.) [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h7A7H8Ah6ps/mqdefault.jpg "Amanda Whiting - Intertwined (feat. PEACH.) [Audio]
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw332
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#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #Fusion
Album: The Liminality of Her (Deluxe Edition) [ALBUM]
Track: 3 of 14
Title: Intertwined
Artist: Amanda Whiting (feat. PEACH.)
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW332
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 11th April 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records is very proud to present a deluxe edition of Amanda Whitings The Liminality of Her album, featuring three brand new tracks along with a remix from label-mate, Quiet Dawn.
Amanda Whiting is a highly-acclaimed Welsh harpist & composer. A virtuoso in her field, this classically trained musician quickly established herself as an essential player in the UK jazz scene, carving her own unique sound, following on from the paths forged by Ashby and Coltrane.
Following the release of The Liminality of Her a year ago, the album featured in Spotifys Best UK Jazz of 2024 and received glowing reviews in Mojo, Jazzwise, Somewhere Soul, Bandcamp, Clash, AllMusic, Harp Column, Apple Music and HHV, to name a few, along with numerous Album of the Year nods and various other accolades, garnering praise critically and publicly.
Over the past few years, shes had the support of radio stations & tastemakers such as BBC Radio 2 (Jamie Cullum), BBC 6 Music (Cerys Matthews, New Music Fix). BBC Radio 3 (Soweto Kinch, Breakfast Show), BBC Wales (Adam Walton), Selector Radio (Sian Eleri), NTS Radio (Patrick Forge), FiP (Laurent Garnier), Soho Radio (Tina Edwards) and Jazz FM (Tony Minvielle, Chris Phillips, Robbie Vincent, Dom Servini), who also nominated her for Instrumentalist of the Year.
This album exemplifies Amandas talents as a performer and composer, taking in an array of hypnotising sonics from the worlds of jazz; from fusion to spiritual and beyond. A confident display of purposefully blissful compositions that saunter as much as they soothe, whilst being unafraid to lean into some deep uptempo grooves.
Amanda describes the theme of this project as liminality... that place in between, the transition from one place to another. No longer what it was, yet not what its going to be.
The harp always presents itself at these moments. Its a sound that causes an emotion. My instrument chose me. Its been with me through every chapter of life. Its how I speak, especially when there are no words.
This album is a rite of passage for her. A feeling of alchemy, a feeling of liberation. Moments of inner searching, intertwined, waiting but moving forward. Never looking back.
The Liminality of Her encompasses the highs and the lows. The nomadic love of freedom and spirituality. Its all so much bigger than you or I…
For this special deluxe edition, Amanda takes on Hammerstein & Rodgerss classic My Favorite Things, presents two new compositions (Mary Over There and At Ease) and French multi-instrumentalist Quiet Dawn provides a dancefloor friendly remix of the single Intertwined, featuring the vocals of Brighton-based singer PEACH.
Amanda joined the First Word label roster via a collaborative project with Don Leisure, Beyond The Midnight Sun, as well as a feature on his Welsh Music Prize nominated project Shaboo Strikes Back.
Shes previously performed, toured and collaborated with a wildly eclectic set of artists, including Matthew Halsall, Rebecca Vasmant, DJ Yoda, Gizmo Varillas and Chip Wickham (who also features on this project), whilst previously releasing three solo albums on Jazzman Records, and a remix project for Scrimshires Alberts Favourites imprint, ending 2024 with a divine seasonal album A Christmas Cwtch, also on First Word.
Shes performed with her own trio at numerous festivals across Europe, including We Out Here, and had headline shows at The Jazz Cafe and Hootananny in London, with an upcoming show at the legendary Ronnie Scotts in June 2025.
The Liminality of Her (Deluxe Edition) is released digitally on April 11th 2025.")
![Above The Clouds, Kidkanevil & Magic Manfred - One For Detroit [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hW_PLNUZCRc/mqdefault.jpg "Above The Clouds, Kidkanevil & Magic Manfred - One For Detroit [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #RapHipHop #InstrumentalEastCoast
Album: One For Detroit [SINGLE]
Track: 1 of 3
Title: One For Detroit
Artist: Above The Clouds, Kidkanevil & Magic Manfred
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW350
Formats: 7 Vinyl/Digital
Digital Release: 12th June 2026
Physical Release: 12th June 2026
About This Release:
First Word Records proudly present ‘One 4 Detroit’; the third single from Above The Clouds (aka kidkanevil & Magic Manfred), complete with a remix by 14KT.
This 7 vinyl release follows on from last Summers MF DOOM cover Arrow Root, which received strong support from the likes of Japans DJ Koco and Philadelphias DJ Jazzy Jeff, and their recent cover of ‘Change’ which was originally by Shadez of Brooklyn, most notably appearing on DJ Premiers 1997 mix album New York Reality Check 101.
One of the original First Word roster, UK Producer/DJ and all-round laptop music geek kidkanevil has developed a distinctive and progressive sound over the years, gleefully exploring the beats and bleeps of the electronic music universe to international recognition. Leeds born, sound system bred and raised on a (un)healthy diet of video games and anime, his solo work inhabits the curious space between bass frequencies and otaku culture. But as a devoted teenage backpack rap nerd, somewhere in the back of kids mind was a lingering desire to reconnect with his first love, hip hop.
Not long after moving to Berlin he joined a studio space in graffiti plastered Kreuzberg, where he met multi instrumentalist wizard Magic Manfred; a disciple of all things boogie, disco, funk and soul. Born and raised in Berlin, and currently a touring musician for many an act, Manfreds musical map joins the dots from piano lessons at four, to starting a band with his teenage friends, leading him to his true calling - the bass - via the club vibrations of his hometown, which introduced him to the world of DJing and production, and a stint studying in the explosive London jazz scene to finalise his Jedi training.
Bonding over their mutual love of 90s hip hop, a friendship and musical kinship developed, coupled with a desire to honour past eras but push things forward, Above The Clouds was born; named after their joint favourite Primo beat, with a touch of irony regarding their basement based studio of a windowless variety.
kidkanevil explains that “after we made a bunch of piano joints it felt like time for a switch up, I had these raw drums looped and Manfred started playing this simple synth line on the Prophet - it kind of happened in an instant. This one was really a case of capture a moment and let it be. It had this cold, industrial bounce to it that really felt ‘Detroit’ somehow, so it became something of a tribute to that sound. Obviously there’s a rich musical history there that’s beyond anything we could encapsulate, but I hope the respect comes across. From Berlin to the D with love!
We felt pretty strongly that if we’re gonna nod to Detroit, we needed a remix from someone who reps there directly. I’ve been a fan of 14KT since the early 2000s beat scene, and as he’d previously released music on First Word, it made perfect sense to approach him. We asked and did he oblige!! I’m very comfortable saying we got schooled! He really blessed us with an amazing remix that brought a life and soul to what was originally a pretty stark beat, we’re super honoured to have this as our first ever remix.
‘U3P1’ (named after a synth preset so we didn’t forget!) is on the flip - this also came about pretty fast. I was thinking Ummah-era Tribe with the drums, and Manfred once again put down this super nice riff and it grew from there. It kinda felt like it needed some trumpet and its always nice to highlight some of the amazing musicianship lurking beyond the club systems here in Berlin, so we called up Berlin based trumpeter and composer Paolo de Jesus, who blessed us with a beautiful performance and arrangement. And that was that; we hope you enjoy!”
‘One 4 Detroit / U3P1’ is released on limited 7 vinyl & digital platforms, June 12th 2026.")
![Amanda Whiting - Peace Piece [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/inMOTEHnFeA/mqdefault.jpg "Amanda Whiting - Peace Piece [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #SmoothJazz
Album: Peace Piece [SINGLE]
Track: 1 of 1
Title: Peace Piece
Artist: Amanda Whiting
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW323
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 8th November 2024
About This Release:
Following on from the critically-acclaimed album The Liminality of Her, some brand new music on First Word Records from formidable Welsh jazz-harpist, Amanda Whiting.
Peace Piece is the first taste of a forthcoming selection pack of seasonal favourites. Expertly crafted with love, care and dedication, Amanda reinterprets Bill Evans 1958 jazz classic into a three-minute slice of sheer Autumnal tranquility. A beautifully poignant composition for the world today.
This track is taken from the forthcoming album A Christmas Cwtch, which takes on assorted classics from the likes of Vince Guaraldi, Holst and Tchaikovsky, and re-presents them with original arrangements from Amanda and her accomplished trio.
Inspired by artists like Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, Amanda is a classically trained virtuoso, well established in the UK jazz scene, with releases on Jazzman and Alberts Favourites.
Her most recent projects were released on Worldwide Award-winning UK label, First Word; Beyond the Midnight Sun (with label-mate and Welsh Music Prize nominee, Don Leisure) and the hugely popular 2024 album The Liminality of Her, which received widespread praise in outlets such as Jazzwise, Mojo, Clash, Bandcamp, AllMusic, Somewhere Soul, HHV, Apple Music and Harp Column.
She has had wide support on the airwaves from tastemakers such as Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music), Patrick Forge (NTS), Soweto Kinch (BBC Radio 3), Kev Beadle (Totally Wired), Tina Edwards (Soho Radio), Laurent Garnier (FiP) and Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2).
A Christmas Cwtch exemplifies Amandas talent and personality simultaneously, celebrating an array of her favourite things; the harp, her Welshness, her love of jazz, her love of classical music and her love of Christmas. This album is an absolute delight, and the perfect soundtrack for the season. An essential stocking filler!
Peace Piece will be released on all digital formats, November 8th 2024.")
![Georgie Sweet - Bedsheets [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j0jjt1yodiw/mqdefault.jpg "Georgie Sweet - Bedsheets [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #SoulRampB #Soul
Album: I Swear To You [ALBUM]
Track: 11 of 12
Title: Bedsheets
Artist: Georgie Sweet
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW328
Formats: Vinyl LP/Digital
Digital Release: 20th June 2025
Physical Release: 27th June 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are incredibly proud to bring you I Swear To You; the stunning sophomore album from Georgie Sweet.
Georgie is a singer / songwriter currently based in Brighton, with a uniquely smooth, soulful vocal tone.
Whilst working on her debut record (Misunderstood), Georgie began a songwriting partnership with multi-instrumentalist Marc Rapson, who is on the boards throughout this project. The duo discovered a natural musical connection instantly, and began working on an abundance of beautiful new material shortly after the release of the first album; writing and creating at Rapsons home in Hertfordshire at various sessions from 2021 onwards, culminating in this new 12-track album, I Swear To You.
Despite being one of the UKs best kept secrets, Georgies already been pricking the ears of some highly-respected selectors. The first single from this record (Smaller / All That We Were) received love from tastemakers such as BBC 6 Musics Gilles Peterson (this one melts), Jazz FMs Tony Minvielle (supremely talented) and Clash Magazine (exudes soulful grace), whilst previous material found itself in the crates of legendary luminaries like DJ Jazzy Jeff & DJ Spinna amongst others.
At the end of 2024, Georgie signed to Worldwide Award-winning independent London-based label, First Word Records; although she previously featured before on the label, via the title track of the highly-acclaimed 2021 sophomore album by Children of Zeus, Balance, along with Akemi Fox. Prior to this her debut album Misunderstood dropped back in 2020 on Futuristica Music; an independent imprint run by Deborah Jordan & Simon S, on which Georgie also collaborated with acclaimed producers like K15 and Mecca:83.
An all-round creative soul, away from creating music, Georgie also works as an illustrator and animator. However, her lifelong love of music is unquestionable. Shes been a vocalist from a young age, initially working with her musical parents (a producer and professional singer respectively).
With a hugely diverse set of inspirations ranging from Stevie Wonder to Michael McDonald, Hiatus Kaiyote to Chappell Roan, Mac Miller to Sampha, and George Duke to EW&F, Georgies respect, love and admiration for a wide range of music is clear; from jazz to soul to pop to hip hop.
Her own sound sits within the realm of glo-fi alternative r&b. From powerful piano-led ballads, to head-nod boom bap backdrops, this album exemplifies Georgies eclectic influences and unique talents as a writer and a vocalist, which are growing exponentially. A tapestry of sound that developed whilst Sweet and Rapson moved from the beat-driven vibes of Georgies earlier work, to finding themselves gravitating more and more to the simplicity of the piano and the voice.
Its this shift in styles that encapsulates the sonic and spiritual feel of the entire project, born out of a warm, creative environment, and full to the brim with heart and soul. I Swear To You is a deeply personal reflection on youth, grief and self-acceptance. An homage to childhood, and the transition into adulthood, exploring the range of experiences and emotions that come with that.
The album cover mirrors the essence of the record; a photo of a hopeful, younger version of Georgie, filled with optimism and joy. Despite the emotional highs and lows expressed throughout the songs, the overarching message remains one of hope; encouraging listeners to keep looking toward the future, to never give up, and to hold onto that youthful sense of possibility.
From the ethereal acapella opening of The Ones We Loved, through to the irresistible jazz-hop bounce of tracks like As I Am, Smaller and In My Stride, to the midtempo soulful bop of Equal Measure and previously-released Energy, to epic ballads like Bedsheets and first single All That We Were, to the more melancholy tones of Patricia and Maybe in a Different Life, to the almost-gospel flavoured closing title track, this is a truly accomplished and timeless piece of work from edge to edge.
I Swear To You is released on vinyl and digital worldwide, Friday June 20th 2025.")
![Georgie Sweet - Equal Measure (Nu:Tone Remix) [feat. Nu:Tone] [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j6fjo1nQiC8/mqdefault.jpg "Georgie Sweet - Equal Measure (Nu:Tone Remix) [feat. Nu:Tone] [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #SoulRampB #ContemporaryRampB
Album: I Swear To You: The Remixes [EP]
Track: 5 of 5
Title: Equal Measure (Nu:Tone Remix)
Artist: Georgie Sweet (feat. Nu:Tone)
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW362
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 1st May 2026
About This Release:
First Word Records are proud to present ‘I Swear To You: The Remixes’ by Georgie Sweet.
This is a 5-track EP consisting of new versions of tracks that originally appeared on the Brighton-based singer-songwriter’s soulful sophomore album ‘I Swear To You’, released Summer 2025, produced & co-written by Marc Rapson.
Covering a wide spread of genres, these mixes include versions from a varied selection of producers at the top of their game right now; Children of Zeus, Kaidi Tatham, Don Leisure, Last Nubian & Nu:Tone.
The original album received an abundance of love & praise from the likes of the legendary Jimmy Jam, Gilles Peterson (including a live Worldwide FM session), Lauren Laverne (BBC 6 Music), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), Tony Minvielle & Simon Phillips (Jazz FM), Patrick Forge (NTS), Kev Beadle (Totally Wired), Clash Magazine, Somewhere Soul, Assorted Tapes (USA), Bandcamp (‘Albums of the Year’) and many more, across Rinse FM, Soho Radio and beyond.
The EP kicks off with the remix of ‘Energy’, courtesy of label-mates and Mancunian hip hop-soul kings, Children of Zeus. This follows on from a previous collaboration between the artists, as Georgie’s first appearance on the First Word label was her feature on the title track of the duo’s last album ‘Balance’, back in 2021. For this new version, Konny Kon and Tyler Daley flip the track in their trademark bass-weighted style of alternative R&B, with Tyler also providing additional vocals to the piece.
Next up, Cardiff beatmaker Don Leisure steps up with his flip of ‘Equal Measure’. Long-time First Word family, both with his solo projects (the acclaimed ‘Shaboo’ series and the ‘Halal Cool J’ beat tape), and as half of Darkhouse Family with Earl Jeffers. Last year, Don Leisure won the Welsh Music Prize with his album ‘Tyrchu Sain’ for the Welsh indie-label Sain Records. On this one, he lays down a grimey chopped-up hip hop beat in his uniquely heavy style.
Belfast-based broken-beat pioneer Kaidi Tatham is next with a version of ‘Become New’. King Kaidi is an absolute pioneer in the realms of British black music, working with Amy Winehouse, Soul II Soul, Nubya Garcia, regular collaborator Dego and global luminaries like Leroy Burgess, Slum Village, Marcos Valle & extensively with DJ Jazzy Jeff and his PLAYlist project. With past releases for Theo Parrish, and fans including Madlib, he’s a true legend in the game, and here drops a piece of electronic jazz-bruk fusion in his inimitable style & fashion.
Taking things up a step for the club dancefloors, we welcome Last Nubian aka Tre Wright, who delivers a tough vibey 4/4 house mix of ‘The Ones We Loved’. Tre has been carving out a space for himself past few years in a multitude of places, releasing for Eglo Records, Touching Bass & CoOp Presents, with support from the likes of Mixmag & BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong. This as well as working with his soulful new band project, Ships of the Pharoahs. Definitely one to watch..
Finally, another remix of ‘Equal Measure’ comes courtesy of legendary D&B producer, Nu:Tone, who’s been active in the scene for over two decades, primarily for the Hospital Records label, working with the likes of 4hero, Ben Westbeech, Flava D, Shy FX, Zed Bias, Roni Size and his brother Logistics, as well as previously remixing artists such as Adele, Ms Dynamite, Emeli Sandé, Lenny Fontana, Quantic & Professor Green, to name a few. For this mix, Nu:Tone turns the original track into a soulful drum & bass roller - a delectably crispy slice of uptempo liquid funk.
This EP exemplifies Georgie’s prowess as a vocalist and songwriter, with each track proving to work across a multitude of genres, and cementing her place as one of the most exciting young talents in the game.
‘I Swear To You: The Remixes’ is released on all digital platforms, May 1st 2026.")
![Kaidi Tatham - So Happy [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jonhVpW1E6E/mqdefault.jpg "Kaidi Tatham - So Happy [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #ElectronicaDance #BrokenBeat
Album: So Happy [SINGLE]
Track: 1 of 1
Title: So Happy
Artist: Kaidi Tatham
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW329
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 19th February 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are So Happy to bring you brand new music from the illustrious Kaidi Tatham.
This is the first track from Kaidis forthcoming album, Miles Away; his sixth full-length solo project for the award-winning London-based independent label.
So Happy is an uplifting dose of forward-thinking soulful jazz, with a broken beat twist, put together in his inimitable fashion. Rhodes, bass, flute, guitar, percussion and harmonious vocals (all performed by the multi-instrumentalist himself) combine to glide over a septuple time signature, with a sonic arrangement almost akin to the jazzier side of artists like the late great Quincy Jones; though the finished piece falls very much into Kaidis unique style and pattern.
For those that dont know, Belfast-based Kaidi Tatham was been an innovative powerhouse in the world of British black music for decades. From his early days as one of the pioneers of the broken beat movement, to his recent prominence as a key-player for DJ Jazzy Jeffs PLAYlist project, he has inspired an array of artists and tastemakers across the globe, from Madlib to Gilles Peterson.
The list of artists hes worked and collaborated with reads like a fever dream - Amy Winehouse, Mulatu Astatke, Soul II Soul, Leroy Burgess, Nubya Garcia, Slum Village, Andrew Ashong, Marcos Valle and beyond. Additionally to a number of releases with 2000 Blacks Dego and The Herbaliser, hes also dropped records for Theo Parrishs Sound Signature and Alex Nuts Eglo Records, taking in a number of aliases along the way, including Agent K, Shokazulu, Blakai, Da One Away and Likwid Biskit - the latter two projects alongside IG Culture (New Sector Movements / LCSM). Hes also worked with fellow First Word label-mates like Children of Zeus, Allysha Joy, Darkhouse Family and Eric Lau.
So Happy is an instrumental piece exuding joy and positivity, much needed in these times, and is one of 10 brand new compositions to be released into the universe imminently.
Available on all DSPs worldwide, February 19th 2025, with the album Miles Away set to follow in late March on vinyl & digital.")
![Bastien Keb - Prologue (feat. Malik Ameer Crumpler) [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/k6gp3sbTFYI/mqdefault.jpg "Bastien Keb - Prologue (feat. Malik Ameer Crumpler) [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #CrossoverJazz
Album: Ghouls [ALBUM]
Track: 1 of 19
Title: Prologue
Artist: Bastien Keb (feat. Malik Ameer Crumpler)
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW345
Formats: Vinyl LP/Digital
Digital Release: 14th November 2025
Physical Release: 14th November 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are very proud to bring you Ghouls, the 6th studio album from Bastien Keb.
Through the reflective and introspective multi-mood journey of its 19-tracks, this album spans psychedelic-chamber-funk, warped anti-ballads, cinematic instrumentals, Ethio-jazz & ethereal ambience.
Part soundtrack, part beat-tape, part memoir, this is a dreamlike soundscape sewn together from half-forgotten memories & late night breakdowns.
Entirely sample-free, this album is full to the brim with musical experimentation, with Kebs compulsion to make all the individual pieces of music independently; combining strings, harps, saxophones, theremins, clarinets, flutes and trumpets.
He signals to the fuzzy, nostalgic nebulous of mid 90s skate videos, as well as harking back to the scores & moods of movies like The French Connection, Taxi Driver, The Warriors and La Haine. There are whispers of sounds in the air from jazz clubs, street preachers & Turkish restaurants.
Keb describes the sonic experience of this album simply as this… Youre half awake, and half asleep, but youre warm…
For this 19-track opus, Keb is joined extensively by Malik Ameer Crumpler; a poet, composer, editor and professor based in Paris, whos been involved in numerous albums while writing for various forms of experimental media.
A multi-instrumentalist originally from the Midlands, Bastien Keb (aka Sebastian Jones) previously released his highly-acclaimed album 22.02.85 on First Word back in 2017; this new album being a very welcome return to the Worldwide Award-winning UK independent label.
His music has been widely supported across BBC Radio in the past by DJs including Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Huw Stephens, Jamie Cullum, Lauren Laverne, Mary Anne Hobbs, Nemone and Tom Ravenscroft. This is in addition to glowing press reviews from the likes of Pitchfork, The Guardian and The Line Of Best Fit.
Hes built up a steady fanbase through his extensive catalogue over the years, with material for labels like Def Pressé, Gearbox, One-Handed Music and most recently for Shabaka Hutchings Native Rebel Recordings imprint, on a collaborative project with South Londons Confucius MC (Speakers Corner Quartet).
Keb concludes this record is for anyone feeling lost in a world that seems to have lost itself without knowing it. Its for the people who know that the world is missing the beauty of the lights in the distance, whilst being distracted by new shoes and flashy phones...
Ghouls is due to be released on vinyl & digital worldwide, November 14th 2025.")
![papaya noon - blindside [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kE2PewxbEWs/mqdefault.jpg "papaya noon - blindside [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #SoulRampB #ContemporaryRampB
Album: through the moods [EP]
Track: 4 of 6
Title: blindside
Artist: papaya noon
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW365
Formats: 12 Vinyl/Digital
Digital Release: 10th July 2026
Physical Release: 10th July 2026
About This Release:
First Word Records are proud to bring you the debut EP from papaya noon - ‘through the moods’.
papaya noon are a Cardiff-based duo comprised of vocalist Annie Mirza and multi-instrumentalist Greg Marriott.
Formed five years ago, they make jazz-infused R&B music that incorporates their mutual love of classic soul, hip hop & electronica.
The duo have already amassed an impressive fan-base online, garnering over 80,000 followers across their socials, and receiving praise from such luminaries in the US as Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, 9th Wonder, Bootie Brown & the late great Fatman Scoop.
This is a result of their unique style, captivating grooves & deeply catchy hooks, encompassing a distinctive blend of soul music, from retrospective 90s vibes to alternative futuristic flavours, creating a sonic palette that’s wonderfully contemporary, yet very much their own.
All their music is written, performed & produced single-handedly by the duo themselves, who’ve managed to create a magically powerful potion from their plant-filled Cardiff studio space, and generated huge anticipation for their future output in-turn.
The future is NOW, as papaya noon are finally ready to unleash their music into the world.
‘through the moods’ is a 6-track EP of delicious alternative r&b vibes, already set to become future soul classics.
Sonically rooted in warm, textured instrumentation & layered harmonies, the duo have triumphantly built a huge soundscape that feels simultaneously nostalgic & futuristic. Smoky late-night ballads nestle alongside infectious uptempo jams, leaning into their jazzy boom-bap & neo-soul influences, whilst showcasing their phenomenal spread of talents as performers and songwriters both.
The duo explained that the EP navigates “neurodivergence, trauma & loss, with tenderness & honesty. Rather than presenting trauma as a spectacle, we’ve attempted to approach it with the softness and complexity that it merits”.
From the first single release ‘blush’, to the downtempo sweetness of ‘blindside’ or ‘morning light’, to the pacier ‘on your side’ & EP closer ‘crybaby’, each track on this project exemplifies their unbridled ability to produce deeply infectious earworms, whilst thematically encompassing unflinching lyricism that’s deeply personal.
Already hailed by some as “the Welsh Moonchild”, papaya noon were named as one of Clash Magazine’s “must-see” acts at FOCUS Wales in 2025, bringing their music to life on stage with their 5-piece live band, additionally performing at Brick Lane Jazz Festival, The Great Escape, Inglefest, Nowadaze, Swn Festival & Good Vibrations Society, as well as NXNe and BreakOut West in Canada, and supporting the likes of Hot 8 Brass Band & Reel People.
With everything already pointing to the duo swiftly becoming one of the hottest new soul acts in Britain, this is only the beginning of the journey for papaya noon…
‘through the moods’ will be released on vinyl & all digital platforms on Fri 10th July.")
![Victoria Port - What We Become [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kP9y1iPSe5I/mqdefault.jpg "Victoria Port - What We Become [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #SoulRampB #Soul
Album: Barefoot In The Garden [EP]
Track: 3 of 5
Title: What We Become
Artist: Victoria Port
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW343
Formats: 12 Vinyl/Digital
Digital Release: 7th November 2025
Physical Release: 7th November 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are proud to present the sophomore solo EP from Victoria Port.
Barefoot In The Garden is a 5-track selection merging classic soul with contemporary sounds.
Put together from sessions recorded at the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London, and Victorias home studio Candle Shop, this project exemplifies her talents as a singer-songwriter, developing upon the building blocks of her debut EP Did it Again and Victorias work as one half of electronic-soul duo, Anushka (BBE / Tru Thoughts / Brownswood).
On this EP, Victoria is accompanied by a wealth of talented artists in their own right, including frequent collaborators Hemai and JNR Williams, the highly-acclaimed drummer Moses Boyd, and vocalists such as Lea Lea, to name just a few.
The sonic tapestry stitched together on this EP epitomises the quality of British soul music of modern times; a vintage symphonic feel approach with modern-day production techniques, encompassing the Ronson-era of the late great Amy Winehouse, to the pack leaders of nowadays such as SAULT and Jungle. Its a logical progression considering Victorias lifelong influences of US luminaries like Minnie Riperton, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone and Dionne Warwick.
Her fanbase includes Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music / Worldwide FM) who has tipped her as an exciting emerging new artist whose sound fits alongside current successful acts like Cleo Sol, Lynda Dawn and Yazmin Lacey.
Victorias previous EP had support from a wide range of tastemakers, including Cerys Matthews, Huey Morgan, Somewhere Soul, Mo Ayoub (Selector Radio), Ronnie Herel (Mi-Soul Radios One to Watch), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM) and across platforms like Rinse FM, NTS, Soho Radio and Global Soul, whilst her work with Anushka also received airplay from Annie Mac, Jamz Supernova, Huw Stephens and BBC Radio 1.
Victoria says this EP comes from a place of nostalgia. Its kind of reflective of parts of life up to this moment, culminating in Barefoot in the Garden. I guess its me starting to understand the things that are truly important to me. How I want to love and be loved, the way I want to spend my time, and just me starting to filter out a lot of the noise. Sonically its been such a dream to explore elements of old soul and jazz with so many incredible musicians, and to put our own unique spin on the genre.
Already a seasoned live perfomer, additionally to various live appearances solo past & forthcoming including We Out Here, Jazz Cafe, Koko and the London Jazz Festival, Victoria Port is set to be one of the leading lights in the world of British soul music. This EP provides some solid examples as to why.
Barefoot In The Garden is due to be released on vinyl and digital, November 7th 2025.")
![[ K S R ] & Konny Kon - Part of the Plan (DJ Marky & Makoto Remix) [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/keyqMzzi5_w/mqdefault.jpg "[ K S R ] & Konny Kon - Part of the Plan (DJ Marky & Makoto Remix) [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #ElectronicaDance #JungleDrumnBass
Album: Part of the Plan (DJ Marky & Makoto Remix) [SINGLE]
Track: 1 of 2
Title: Part of the Plan (DJ Marky & Makoto Remix)
Artist: [ K S R ] & Konny Kon
Remixers: DJ Marky & Makoto
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW326
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 24th January 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are proud to bring you more music from [ K S R ] and Konny Kon (Children of Zeus), this time with a special remix of Part of the Plan from two of the D&B scenes most legendary players, DJ Marky and Makoto.
Brazils DJ Marky and Japans Makoto need no introduction - two artists that have been omnipresent in the drum & bass world for decades, with a slew of killer releases under their belts as producers, and thousands of parties rocked globally as DJs. For this mix, theyve kept the soul of the original intact, but added their characteristic rolling d&b drums and weighty bassline, turning this one into a sureshot dancefloor anthem.
The original mix of Part of the Plan has a timeless classic feel, nodding back to the likes of Stax and Atlantic, akin to the contemporary sound of Daptone artists like Jalen Ngonda or Thee Sacred Souls. Waves crash on the dock of the bay, with [ K S R ]s soulful tones and Konnys laidback production (accompanied by Son of Zeus, Tyler Daley on the backing vox).
[ K S R ] hails from Moss Side and has been steadily building a strong rep for himself over the past few years with a slew of releases, including an EP and several singles via First Word. He was named R&B act to watch by Complex, and hand-picked by Mahalia to perform an event she curated personally at Londons Jazz Cafe. Hes toured with artists including Pip Millet, Etta Bond, Mica Miller & The Mouse Outfit, and also collaborated with various d&b artists, such as Zero T, Lenzman, Searchlight and Makoto. Music aside, [ K S R ] has also been creative ambassador for New Balance, Foot Locker, Nike, Size? and Manchester United.
Konny Kon is best known for being one half of hip hop soul duo, Children of Zeus. With performances for Colors and Soulection, and support from peers Jazzy Jeff, Jazzie B, Loose Ends & countless others, Children of Zeus have released two highly-acclaimed albums and two EPs on Worldwide Award winning-label, First Word. Additionally to writing, performing and producing, Konny is a formidable DJ, hosting a popular monthly show on NTS Radio, and performing at numerous events; most recently supporting Mercury Award-winners Ezra Collective at every date on their European tour, culminating in a show with Children of Zeus at Wembley Arena, London.
This single showcases the vocals of [ K S R ] and the production of Konny Kon to a degree that exudes pure quality and class, exemplifying the power of modern British soul music. Support for this release came far and wide from BBC Radio 1 (Victoria Jane), BBC 1Xtra (Rampage, Casskidd, Chuckie), BBC 6 Music (Cerys Matthews, Huey Morgan) and many more.
Both artists have had wide support across the board additionally from a number of other tastemakers, including Rinse, Represent, Unity, Mixmag, Notion, Hypebeast and tons more. The duo have previously collaborated on All on You (from the CoZ album Travel Light) and single CGWY (from [ K S R ]s EP Peace + Harmony).
Part of the Plan (DJ Marky & Makoto Remix) is released on all digital platforms, 24th January 2025.")
![Amanda Whiting - Alchemy [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kgTBbracItw/mqdefault.jpg "Amanda Whiting - Alchemy [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #Fusion
Album: The Liminality of Her (Deluxe Edition) [ALBUM]
Track: 6 of 14
Title: Alchemy
Artist: Amanda Whiting
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW332
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 11th April 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records is very proud to present a deluxe edition of Amanda Whitings The Liminality of Her album, featuring three brand new tracks along with a remix from label-mate, Quiet Dawn.
Amanda Whiting is a highly-acclaimed Welsh harpist & composer. A virtuoso in her field, this classically trained musician quickly established herself as an essential player in the UK jazz scene, carving her own unique sound, following on from the paths forged by Ashby and Coltrane.
Following the release of The Liminality of Her a year ago, the album featured in Spotifys Best UK Jazz of 2024 and received glowing reviews in Mojo, Jazzwise, Somewhere Soul, Bandcamp, Clash, AllMusic, Harp Column, Apple Music and HHV, to name a few, along with numerous Album of the Year nods and various other accolades, garnering praise critically and publicly.
Over the past few years, shes had the support of radio stations & tastemakers such as BBC Radio 2 (Jamie Cullum), BBC 6 Music (Cerys Matthews, New Music Fix). BBC Radio 3 (Soweto Kinch, Breakfast Show), BBC Wales (Adam Walton), Selector Radio (Sian Eleri), NTS Radio (Patrick Forge), FiP (Laurent Garnier), Soho Radio (Tina Edwards) and Jazz FM (Tony Minvielle, Chris Phillips, Robbie Vincent, Dom Servini), who also nominated her for Instrumentalist of the Year.
This album exemplifies Amandas talents as a performer and composer, taking in an array of hypnotising sonics from the worlds of jazz; from fusion to spiritual and beyond. A confident display of purposefully blissful compositions that saunter as much as they soothe, whilst being unafraid to lean into some deep uptempo grooves.
Amanda describes the theme of this project as liminality... that place in between, the transition from one place to another. No longer what it was, yet not what its going to be.
The harp always presents itself at these moments. Its a sound that causes an emotion. My instrument chose me. Its been with me through every chapter of life. Its how I speak, especially when there are no words.
This album is a rite of passage for her. A feeling of alchemy, a feeling of liberation. Moments of inner searching, intertwined, waiting but moving forward. Never looking back.
The Liminality of Her encompasses the highs and the lows. The nomadic love of freedom and spirituality. Its all so much bigger than you or I…
For this special deluxe edition, Amanda takes on Hammerstein & Rodgerss classic My Favorite Things, presents two new compositions (Mary Over There and At Ease) and French multi-instrumentalist Quiet Dawn provides a dancefloor friendly remix of the single Intertwined, featuring the vocals of Brighton-based singer PEACH.
Amanda joined the First Word label roster via a collaborative project with Don Leisure, Beyond The Midnight Sun, as well as a feature on his Welsh Music Prize nominated project Shaboo Strikes Back.
Shes previously performed, toured and collaborated with a wildly eclectic set of artists, including Matthew Halsall, Rebecca Vasmant, DJ Yoda, Gizmo Varillas and Chip Wickham (who also features on this project), whilst previously releasing three solo albums on Jazzman Records, and a remix project for Scrimshires Alberts Favourites imprint, ending 2024 with a divine seasonal album A Christmas Cwtch, also on First Word.
Shes performed with her own trio at numerous festivals across Europe, including We Out Here, and had headline shows at The Jazz Cafe and Hootananny in London, with an upcoming show at the legendary Ronnie Scotts in June 2025.
The Liminality of Her (Deluxe Edition) is released digitally on April 11th 2025.")
