![Victoria Port - Haunting [Audio] @Firstwordrecords](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/v6N8NPhHF-k/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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#FirstWordRecords #ElectronicaDance #Garage
Album: Haunting (Murder He Wrote Remix) [SINGLE]
Track: 2 of 2
Title: Haunting
Artist: Victoria Port
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW336
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 2nd May 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records is proud to bring you the Murder He Wrote remix of Victoria Port's 'Haunting'.
Murder He Wrote provides a classic UK garage rub of the second single taken from Victoria's debut solo EP 'Did it Again', released early in the year on the Worldwide Award-winning independent label.
Victoria is a British singer/songwriter that's previously released two albums as half of electronic soul outfit Anushka (on Brownswood and Tru Thoughts respectively), with third album 'Ancestry' scheduled for release June 27th 2025 on BBE.
In recent months, Victoria has had love for her debut solo EP from tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music / Worldwide FM), Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music), Somewhere Soul, Mo Ayoub (Selector Radio), Mafalda (NTS), Ronnie Herel (Mi-Soul's "One to Watch"), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM) and across platforms like Soho Radio and Global Soul, to cite a few.
Originally produced by Shevlane and Hemai, Victoria says 'Haunting' is "about an inability for someone to let go. When they can't read the messages and continue to try, to keep echoes of the past alive in the present…".
Murder He Wrote is based in Manchester and has built a rep for blending elements of garage, UK funky and bruk into his sound, originally breaking out on Roska's label. He's had an array of sets on Rinse FM, BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, Boiler Room & NTS, and support from the likes of Ben UFO, Skream and Jamz Supernova.
This mix is aimed squarely at the dancefloor, as we hurtle ever closer towards Summer.
'Haunting (Murder He Wrote Remix)' is available on all digital platforms, May 2nd 2025.
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw336
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Official stream from First Word Records. Distributed by Kudos Records.
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#FirstWordRecords #ElectronicaDance #Garage
Album: Haunting (Murder He Wrote Remix) [SINGLE]
Track: 2 of 2
Title: Haunting
Artist: Victoria Port
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW336
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 2nd May 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records is proud to bring you the Murder He Wrote remix of Victoria Port's 'Haunting'.
Murder He Wrote provides a classic UK garage rub of the second single taken from Victoria's debut solo EP 'Did it Again', released early in the year on the Worldwide Award-winning independent label.
Victoria is a British singer/songwriter that's previously released two albums as half of electronic soul outfit Anushka (on Brownswood and Tru Thoughts respectively), with third album 'Ancestry' scheduled for release June 27th 2025 on BBE.
In recent months, Victoria has had love for her debut solo EP from tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music / Worldwide FM), Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music), Somewhere Soul, Mo Ayoub (Selector Radio), Mafalda (NTS), Ronnie Herel (Mi-Soul's "One to Watch"), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM) and across platforms like Soho Radio and Global Soul, to cite a few.
Originally produced by Shevlane and Hemai, Victoria says 'Haunting' is "about an inability for someone to let go. When they can't read the messages and continue to try, to keep echoes of the past alive in the present…".
Murder He Wrote is based in Manchester and has built a rep for blending elements of garage, UK funky and bruk into his sound, originally breaking out on Roska's label. He's had an array of sets on Rinse FM, BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, Boiler Room & NTS, and support from the likes of Ben UFO, Skream and Jamz Supernova.
This mix is aimed squarely at the dancefloor, as we hurtle ever closer towards Summer.
'Haunting (Murder He Wrote Remix)' is available on all digital platforms, May 2nd 2025.
![Victoria Port - Haunting [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/v6N8NPhHF-k/mqdefault.jpg "Victoria Port - Haunting [Audio]
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw336
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Official stream from First Word Records. Distributed by Kudos Records.
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#FirstWordRecords #ElectronicaDance #Garage
Album: Haunting (Murder He Wrote Remix) [SINGLE]
Track: 2 of 2
Title: Haunting
Artist: Victoria Port
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW336
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 2nd May 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records is proud to bring you the Murder He Wrote remix of Victoria Ports Haunting.
Murder He Wrote provides a classic UK garage rub of the second single taken from Victorias debut solo EP Did it Again, released early in the year on the Worldwide Award-winning independent label.
Victoria is a British singer/songwriter thats previously released two albums as half of electronic soul outfit Anushka (on Brownswood and Tru Thoughts respectively), with third album Ancestry scheduled for release June 27th 2025 on BBE.
In recent months, Victoria has had love for her debut solo EP from tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music / Worldwide FM), Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music), Somewhere Soul, Mo Ayoub (Selector Radio), Mafalda (NTS), Ronnie Herel (Mi-Souls One to Watch), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM) and across platforms like Soho Radio and Global Soul, to cite a few.
Originally produced by Shevlane and Hemai, Victoria says Haunting is about an inability for someone to let go. When they cant read the messages and continue to try, to keep echoes of the past alive in the present….
Murder He Wrote is based in Manchester and has built a rep for blending elements of garage, UK funky and bruk into his sound, originally breaking out on Roskas label. Hes had an array of sets on Rinse FM, BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, Boiler Room & NTS, and support from the likes of Ben UFO, Skream and Jamz Supernova.
This mix is aimed squarely at the dancefloor, as we hurtle ever closer towards Summer.
Haunting (Murder He Wrote Remix) is available on all digital platforms, May 2nd 2025.")
![Victoria Port - Did It Again [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vFNqFc0aWAk/mqdefault.jpg "Victoria Port - Did It Again [Audio]
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw320
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#FirstWordRecords #SoulRampB #Soul
Album: Did It Again [EP]
Track: 3 of 4
Title: Did It Again
Artist: Victoria Port
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW320
Formats: 12 Vinyl/Digital
Digital Release: 7th February 2025
Physical Release: 7th February 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are delighted to present Did It Again, the debut EP from Victoria Port.
Victoria is a British singer/songwriter thats previously released two albums as half of electronic soul outfit Anushka (on Brownswood and Tru Thoughts respectively), with a third album from the duo scheduled for release later in 2025 on BBE. Now Victoria is finally making the move to showcase her music, in her own unique way, as a solo artist.
Her first solo single Cigarette saw support from Cerys Matthews & Huey Morgan on BBC 6 Music, Gilles Peterson (Worldwide FM), Mi-Soul Radio (One To Watch), Dan Digs (NPR Music), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Somewhere Soul, Soho Radio, Totally Wired, Global Soul (also as part of their live showcase at Koko, London) and many more, while her last Anushka project also received extensive support from tastemakers such as Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Jamz Supernova, and saw her wowing crowds as a regular player on the UK and international festival circuit.
This debut 4-track EP is set to place her where she firmly belongs; as an exciting new talent in the vibrant, eclectic UK r&b/soul scene.
As well as the single Cigarette, the EP includes the beautiful follow-up single Haunting, and two more soulful tracks; the slow jam Keep Love For Me, and the title track Did It Again. Production comes courtesy of Hemai and Shevlane, with all tracks written by Victoria herself, along with her trusted team of accomplices; JNR Williams, Dominic Martin & Louie Hemus.
Did It Again is largely inspired by the legacy of her Dominican grandmother, and the tales of all the powerful women she has known, and is yet to know, encompassing their vulnerability and their truth. This in turn with her own journey as a mother. I found the journey into motherhood transformative, she says. I felt lost and broken at times, but simultaneously the most capable and powerful Ive ever been. Ive had to do the work and face my own shortcomings, in order to be the person I want to be, for my child, and ultimately for myself.
Sonically, Victoria takes her influences from a lifelong appreciation of soul music, drawing inspiration from artists like Gladys Knight, Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross, Nine Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Dionne Warwick, to contemporaries such as Cleo Sol and Jorja Smith. She adds Im particularly obsessed with the girl bands from the 60s. I love the stories and the harmonies. Motown was the soundtrack to my childhood. Songs that make you want to dance in your kitchen!.
This debut solo EP is a beautiful example of Victorias prowess as a vocalist and composer alike.
Did It Again is to be released on vinyl and digitally worldwide in February 2025.")
![Georgie Sweet - Energy (Children of Zeus Remix) [feat. Children of Zeus] [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vUdQSs-eLGM/mqdefault.jpg "Georgie Sweet - Energy (Children of Zeus Remix) [feat. Children of Zeus] [Audio]
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw363
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#FirstWordRecords #SoulRampB #ContemporaryRampB
Album: Energy (Children of Zeus Remix) [SINGLE]
Track: 1 of 2
Title: Energy (Children of Zeus Remix)
Artist: Georgie Sweet (feat. Children of Zeus)
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW363
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 19th February 2026
About This Release:
First Word Records are proud to present the Children of Zeus remix of Georgie Sweets Energy.
This is the first in a set of new versions of tracks that originally appeared on the Brighton-based singer-songwriters soulful sophomore album I Swear To You, released Summer 2025, produced & co-written by Marc Rapson.
This record received an abundance of love & praise from the likes of Gilles Peterson (including a live Worldwide FM session), Lauren Laverne (BBC 6 Music), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Patrick Forge (NTS), Clash Magazine, Somewhere Soul, Assorted Tapes (USA), Bandcamp (Albums of the Year) and many more, across Rinse FM, Soho Radio and beyond.
The remix of Energy comes courtesy of label-mates and Mancunian hip hop-soul kings, Children of Zeus. This follows on from a previous collaboration between the artists, as Georgies first appearance on the First Word label was her feature on the title track of the duos 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.
More mixes to follow in the coming months from a varied selection of producers at the top of their game right now, including Nu:Tone, Kaidi Tatham, Don Leisure & Last Nubian.
For now, soak up this SWEET soulful Springtime Energy…
Released on all digital platforms, February 19th 2026.")
![Tall Black Guy - From Home to Work, and Back (Reprise) [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vqedGulxWfA/mqdefault.jpg "Tall Black Guy - From Home to Work, and Back (Reprise) [Audio]
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw316
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#FirstWordRecords #RapHipHop #InstrumentalEastCoast
Album: 8 Miles to Moenart (10th Anniversary Edition) [ALBUM]
Track: 4 of 10
Title: From Home to Work, and Back (Reprise)
Artist: Tall Black Guy
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW316
Formats: Vinyl LP/Digital
Digital Release: 18th October 2024
Physical Release: 25th October 2024
About This Release:
First Word Records is very proud to bring you the 10th anniversary edition of Tall Black Guys debut LP 8 Miles to Moenart!
It includes two brand new jazz interpretations (From Home To Work, And Back and Running The Motor), recorded with a live band, as well as a new intro cut (Black Detroit), and an alternative mix of the single Mon Amie Detroit, previously only available on 7 vinyl.
The original vinyl LP release was a one-time limited edition pressing; this being the first time this project has been available on wax since then, and also includes entirely new artwork and photography.
From humble origins in Detroit, raised on a healthy diet of Motown, jazz and hip hop, Terrel Wallace (aka Tall Black Guy) has become a standard bearer for the hip hop beats scene. Through a steady stream of soulful productions filled with incredibly clever sample flips and deft production chops, he has won fans across the world, including Gilles Peterson, Benji B, Don Letts, Lefto, Tom Ravenscroft, Lord Finesse, Huey Morgan, Anthony Valadez and countless others, along with sessions for Boiler Room and more.
8 Miles To Moenart literally brought Tall Black Guy full circle, and proceeds to do so once again. Detroit was where he started making music, and its to his hometown he took inspiration for this debut album. Taking in low-slung hip hop, downtempo house and jazz-tinged street soul, its a record of rare focus. It encapsulated the musical heritage of Detroit, through the looking glass of Tall Black Guys own signature sound.
Follow up releases included his sophomore First Word album Lets Take A Trip (which also featured the likes of Masego, Daniel Crawford, Miles Bonny and Moonchild), and records on Ubiquity, Bastard Jazz and Street Corner Music, to name a few, along with a steady slew of limited self-released edits amd productions, most recently with his #7DayVaults series.
Hes worked with a number of formidable artists worldwide, including recent extensive work with Zo! (Little Brother), Ozay Moore, Deborah Bond and Dee Jackson (80s Babies), as well as collaborations with 14KT and First Word label-mate Allysha Joy, to name just a few. He is also an integral player for DJ Jazzy Jeffs infamous PLAYlist Retreat sessions, along with more First Word family, Kaidi Tatham and Eric Lau, as well as artists like James Poyser, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Questlove, and he was a core contributor to First Words Nothing Leaves The House series, along with Eric, Mr Thing and kidkanevil.
Tall Black Guy has firmly established himself to be one of the most influential producers working today.
Terrel says I made the bulk of this album back in Detroit around 2012/2013, before I relocated to the UK. Ive been back living and working in the States for a while now, and its great to look back on this project. But while its nice to reminisce, its important to look forwards, so I wanted to include something new here to represent my progression as an artist, so theres some new versions included, that I created with the help of some jazz musician friends of mine.
8 Miles to Moenart (10th Anniversary Edition) will be released on digital & vinyl on October 18th 2024.")
![Amanda Whiting - The Christmas Song [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vuTiJ_ik6qU/mqdefault.jpg "Amanda Whiting - The Christmas Song [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #SmoothJazz
Album: A Christmas Cwtch [ALBUM]
Track: 11 of 14
Title: The Christmas Song
Artist: Amanda Whiting
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW322
Formats: Vinyl LP/CD Album/Digital
Digital Release: 2nd December 2024
Physical Release: 12th December 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are very proud to bring you A Christmas Cwtch, the brand new album from highly-acclaimed Welsh jazz-harpist, Amanda Whiting.
Expertly crafted with love, care and dedication, A Christmas Cwtch takes on assorted classics from the likes of Vince Guaraldi, Bill Evans, Holst and Tchaikovsky, and re-presents them with original arrangements by Amanda and her accomplished trio. The end result is a 14-track selection pack of feel-good seasonal jazz-harp magic, including recent singles Peace Piece and Skating.
Amanda says just mention Christmas and you hear Guaraldi, Bill Evans and the sound of sleigh bells and harps. Its my favourite time of year and the music evokes everything warm and cwtchy. Sparkling lights, mince pies, mulled wine and nostalgia around the tree.
On the word cwtch, Amanda explains that a cwtch is the most important word to Welsh folk. Its a hug, with a little squeeze. Its a feeling. Its cosy, loving and safe. I wanted this album to hold you, cwtch you and allow you to indulge.
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!
A Christmas Cwtch is scheduled for December 2nd 2024 release on digital, vinyl and CD.")
![Above The Clouds, Kidkanevil & Magic Manfred - U3P1 (feat. Paolo De Jesus) [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wDDnkUDbTXs/mqdefault.jpg "Above The Clouds, Kidkanevil & Magic Manfred - U3P1 (feat. Paolo De Jesus) [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #RapHipHop #InstrumentalEastCoast
Album: One For Detroit [SINGLE]
Track: 3 of 3
Title: U3P1
Artist: Above The Clouds, Kidkanevil & Magic Manfred (feat. Paolo De Jesus)
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.")
![Ruby Wood - Things Fall Apart [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wYnA0R6uTnc/mqdefault.jpg "Ruby Wood - Things Fall Apart [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #SoulRampB #NeoSoul
Album: No Rain, No Flowers [EP]
Track: 7 of 8
Title: Things Fall Apart
Artist: Ruby Wood
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW366
Formats: 12 Vinyl/Digital
Digital Release: 24th July 2026
Physical Release: 24th July 2026
About This Release:
First Word Records proudly bring you the sophomore EP from Ruby Wood - ‘No Rain, No Flowers’.
Ruby is a singer / songwriter hailing from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in the UK. Her soulful yet distinctive voice has enabled her to front numerous projects over the years; perhaps best known as lead vocalist of the critically acclaimed Submotion Orchestra, since 2009.
Her first solo EP ‘Sincerely’ dropped back in 2023, and received love from the likes of Jamie Cullum, Craig Charles, Jyoty, Huey Morgan, Wordplay & saw Ruby named Mi-Soul Radios One to Watch.
The follow-up EP ‘No Rain, No Flowers’ is a personal tale of growth through adversity. Reflecting on long-term love, fleeting intimacy, grief, and the relationships that shape us. Rather than offering answers, the 8-track EP sits with life as it is. Imperfect, cyclical and shared. The title speaks to the belief that difficult experiences are not separate from growth, but essential to it.
Musically, the project encompasses contemporary flavours within the realms of r&b, soul and hip hop. It features an impressive collective of vocal collaboraters; Illa J, Devin Tracy, Abnormal Sleepz & PRIDO. Each bring their own distinct perspective, whilst complimenting the EP’s introspective tone; favouring warmth, restraint & lyrical authenticity. All are backed by a smooth sonic backdrop of beautifully rich instrumentation, produced primarily by Rob Mitchell of Abstract Orchestra.
Ruby has performed live shows with Nightmares on Wax & Abstract Orchestra as well as with r&b legend Bryson Tiller at his sell-out UK gigs, including Wembley Arena & Manchester Apollo. This is additionally to touring with Bonobo & Nubiyan Twist, and collaborating with the likes of Krept & Konan, Alfa Mist, GLXY and Roska, to name a few.
The diversity of her career, ranging from the intimate to the large-scale performances, gives Ruby a unique balance of vulnerability and musical depth, prioritising authenticity over spectacle. As a solo artist, her work is rooted in honest lived experiences, leading to a focus on songs that resonate long after first listen.
This EP offers a reflection of where Ruby is at now, informed by where she’s been before. It’s a project that embraces imperfection, recognising that those experiences that challenge us the most, shape us the deepest.
‘No Rain, No Flowers’ is released on vinyl & all digital platforms Friday July 24th.")
![Amanda Whiting - Liminal [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wbzzWzfWDeo/mqdefault.jpg "Amanda Whiting - Liminal [Audio]
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw332
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#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #Fusion
Album: The Liminality of Her (Deluxe Edition) [ALBUM]
Track: 4 of 14
Title: Liminal
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.")
![Amanda Whiting - What Is It We Need? (feat. Alice Russell) [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xCF8Ei__Asg/mqdefault.jpg "Amanda Whiting - What Is It We Need? (feat. Alice Russell) [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #Jazz #Fusion
Album: Can You See Me Now? [EP]
Track: 2 of 6
Title: What Is It We Need?
Artist: Amanda Whiting (feat. Alice Russell)
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW334D
Formats: Digital
Digital Release: 6th June 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records is very proud to bring you a brand new EP from Amanda Whiting, entitled Can You See Me Now?
Amanda Whiting is a highly-acclaimed Welsh harpist & composer. A virtuoso in her field, this classically trained musician has established herself in recent years as an essential player in the UK jazz scene.
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). BBC Radio 3 (Soweto Kinch), Selector Radio (Sian Eleri), NTS Radio (Patrick Forge), FiP (Laurent Garnier), Soho Radio (Tina Edwards) and across Jazz FM, who also nominated her for Instrumentalist of the Year.
Amanda joined the roster of Worldwide Award-winning independent London-based label First Word Records in late 2023, initially via a collaborative project with Don Leisure on Beyond The Midnight Sun, as well as a feature on his Welsh Music Prize nominated project Shaboo Strikes Back.
She followed the Liminality of Her record late last year with a divine album of seasonal favourites, from Bill Evans to Vince Guaraldi, on A Christmas Cwtch.
Amandas 2024 album The Liminality of Her featured in Spotifys Best UK Jazz of 2024 and received glowing reviews in 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.
Mojo Magazine cites Amandas compositions as cinematic, lyrical and lissom by turns.
Amanda has previously performed, toured and collaborated with a wildly eclectic set of artists, including Matthew Halsall, Rebecca Vasmant, DJ Yoda, Gizmo Varillas and Chip Wickham, whilst previously releasing three solo albums on Jazzman Records, and a remix project for the Alberts Favourites imprint.
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.
Can You See Me Now? is another triumphant opus from Whiting; laidback, deliciously jazzy and thematically inquisitive, featuring some exceptional production and accompaniment from Adam Scrimshire (Alberts Favourite). The EP begins with the crackling Old Ways intro (inspired by Naderman No.6 for Harp) leading into opening track Contented; an epic ethereal piece of tranquil spiritual jazz, complete with the gloriously powerful vocal harmonies of Faye Houston. This sets the mood perfectly for this project, as we head into a short solo for Whiting on Still which appears as it says on the tin. A moment of calm. Lead single What Is It We Need? commences with dusty upright bass from Whiting Trio member Aidan Thorne, ahead of a beautiful goosebump-enducing lead-vocal from the national treasure that is Alice Russell (Tru Thoughts); an absolute powerhouse in her own right. Intent picks up the pace a touch with some delightfully skippy jungle-esque drums from Jon Reynolds. It Could Be follows; a soulful string-laden stepper, again featuring Faye Houston, and hits like the delicate breath of a Summer breeze. We close the set with the appropriately-named Moving On, which takes us out with a slightly-warped phasing dreamlike ambience.
In Amandas words thematically, the EP is about the journey as a woman and the stages of life. Standing up and being seen. An important and profound message in the world today!
We must stand tall, dont self abase or dim your light
The past has gone. Now step up, be intent, move forward, move on
Dont be silenced. Feminine energy is our might.
Lift your veil, show your worth. We are women, we are strong.
Can you see me now?
Can you hear my dreams?
Can you feel my intentions?
Im here to be seen.
Can You See Me Now? is due for release on vinyl & digital, June 6th 2025.")
![Allysha Joy - reset : (feat. Annalisa Fernandez) [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xg5-jX0oPpU/mqdefault.jpg "Allysha Joy - reset : (feat. Annalisa Fernandez) [Audio]
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#FirstWordRecords #SoulRampB #NeoSoul
Album: The Making of Silk [ALBUM]
Track: 3 of 11
Title: reset :
Artist: Allysha Joy (feat. Annalisa Fernandez)
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW304
Formats: Vinyl LP/Digital
Digital Release: 13th September 2024
Physical Release: 13th September 2024
About This Release:
First Word Records is proud to bring you ‘The Making of Silk’, the brand new album from Allysha Joy.
Allysha Joy is a deeply-expressive singer, songwriter, producer & keys player hailing from Naarm (Melbourne), known for both her solo work and as front woman for 30/70. A uniquely-talented artist, her husky soulful voice, formidable Fender Rhodes prowess and raw poeticism has garnered legions of attentive fans the world over.
As an integral performer in the modern day jazz-soul scene, previous support has included selectors Gilles Peterson & Jamz Supernova (BBC 6 Music), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), China Moses (Jazz FM) & Laurent Garnier (PBB France), along with stations such as NTS, Lot Radio, KEXP & KCRW, and publications including OkayPlayer, Dazed and The Vinyl Factory.
Along with a recent foray into the USA market with a string of successful shows, Allysha Joy has performed alongside acts such as Snarky Puppy, PJ Morton, The Teskey Brothers, Kokoroko and Children of Zeus, to name a few.
Joy has previously released two full-length solo albums Acadie : Raw in 2018, Torn : Tonic in 2022 and an EP, Light It Again in 2020, along with countless collaborations and features over the past few years.
Entirely self-produced and affectionately poured over, The Making of Silk is about a new understanding of the meaning of love.
Joy says, its the kind of love that bell hooks writes about, that lives in the poetry of Mary Oliver, Hafiz and the passionate dreaming of a Koryusai painting. It’s about a love that is compassionate, that lives in open conversation, deep listening, the front lines of social movement and would never seek to stifle the light in you. It’s about accepting our aloneness, the impermanence of all things and still forever wanting to prove it wrong, to say that I understand that all things change, all things end, hurt exists, but I will love regardless.
Riding on the waves of rich string arrangements, layers of vocal harmony and the raw poeticism she is known for, Allysha Joys next album is embodying love.
‘The Making of Silk’ is due to be released on vinyl & digital worldwide, September 13th 2024.")
![Werkha - Narrow In (feat. Daudi Matsiko) [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xqyyUdSXhuo/mqdefault.jpg "Werkha - Narrow In (feat. Daudi Matsiko) [Audio]
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw340
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#FirstWordRecords #ElectronicaDance #BeatsampBreaks
Album: Unsung Irregular [ALBUM]
Track: 3 of 11
Title: Narrow In
Artist: Werkha (feat. Daudi Matsiko)
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW340
Formats: Vinyl LP/Digital
Digital Release: 10th October 2025
Physical Release: 10th October 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records is very proud to present the new album from Werkha, Unsung Irregular.
This is his third full-length studio LP, and is comprised of 11 tracks showcasing Werkhas unique blend of jazzy breakbeat-tinged electronics and analogue aesthetics. It includes the singles S-Bend, Toast Rack, and two collaborations; Everyday (feat. Ríoghnach Connolly) and Narrow In (feat. Daudi Matsiko) - a pair of revered artists with roots in folk music, complimenting the close connection to nature found throughout Werkhas productions.
——
Werkha (aka Tom Leah) is a multi-instrumentalist born in Rusholme, Manchester. His previous releases on Worldwide Award-winning independent London-based label First Word Records include The Rigour EP (2020), and the All Werk Is Play LP (2022), carrying on from his initial output on the Brighton-based Tru Thoughts label.
Hes had previous support from a wide range of tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson, Nemone, Don Letts, Jamz Supernova and Zakia (BBC 6 Music), Mo Ayoub (BBC Radio 1), Julie Adenuga, Scratcha DVA, BBC Manchester, Worldwide FM and Rinse FM.
Alongside his own releases, hes collaborated and remixed with Quantic, A Certain Ratio, Marcos Valle, Eska, Chunky, Andrew Ashong and extensively with Keisha Thompson and Bryony Jarman-Pinto, to cite a few.
Werkha has done full band and solo performances across the UK and Europe, touring with the likes of Bonobo, Chet Faker, Rebecca Vasmant and Mr Scruff, and sharing billing with Crazy P, GoGo Penguin, Todd Terje, Lefto and MCDE, gracing stages at legendary venues like The Roundhouse, The Jazz Café and Manchester Cathedral, and various festivals including Glastonbury, SXSW, We Out Here, A Love Supreme and Latitude.
Additionally to playing live, Werkha is a formidable DJ, recently doing a mix for Selector Radio (British Council) and previously for the likes of Tom Ravenscroft & Afrodeutsche (BBC 6 Music), NTS, Primavera Sound and Reform Radio.
——
Werkha is a thoughtful, conscientious artist, whose approach to creating is innovative, unique, ever evolving and deeply groovy.
Putting community at the centre of much of what he does, Werkha worked for a mental health arts charity in Stockport, outreach in rural Cumbria and does continual collaboration with Reform Radio to curate opportunities for upcoming Mancunian artists. As Werkha says, the music we love to listen to doesnt exist unless we water the roots from which it grows.
In recent years, he has been creating and building his side-project, Saturama - a live audio-visual experience aimed at reconnecting to our rainforests in the UK, which has received support from organisations like Plantlife, Manchester Museum and RSPB Wild Haweswater, with more exciting collaborations in the pipeline.
——
The new album Unsung Irregular is a deeply considered and thematically rich project, exploring hidden disabilities and spotlighting the power of irregularities that often go unnoticed.
Werkha says as an album title, Unsung Irregular is an anchor point that brings together a lot of the meaning behind each individual track... its a meeting of beauty and a mishap of the form – an irregularity that I hope I can give a voice to.
More than a reflection on chronic pain, Unsung Irregular is a celebration of movement, and the resilient power of music to transform discomfort into rhythm. Scoliosis has shaped his life in ways both visible and invisible, and the album traces those contours with unflinching honesty.
I dont outwardly use my own vocals on records, so I reach for different sounds and instruments to represent the stories I want to tell.
The process of healing is written into every detail: field recordings, processed vocal textures, geographical references. From the conspicuous architectural reference point of Toast Racks title, to tracks like By Helm and Weak Point which are linked not just by theme, but by sound design; echoing physical locations and personal milestones in Toms recovery.
Theres a vocoder I used on a sample of my voice on By Helm… I used that same texture sidechained to kit in &apos...")
![Kaidi Tatham - Silkie Bantam [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/y9QxKED6hHA/mqdefault.jpg "Kaidi Tatham - Silkie Bantam [Audio]
Download & Stream: https://kud.li/fw317
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#FirstWordRecords #ElectronicaDance #BrokenBeat
Album: Miles Away [ALBUM]
Track: 5 of 10
Title: Silkie Bantam
Artist: Kaidi Tatham
Label: First Word Records
Cat#: FW317
Formats: Vinyl LP/Digital
Digital Release: 28th March 2025
Physical Release: 28th March 2025
About This Release:
First Word Records are very proud to bring you a brand new album from the legendary Kaidi Tatham.
Miles Away is the sixth full-length solo project for the award-winning London-based independent label.
Comprised of 10 new tracks, performed entirely by the multi-instrumentalist himself once again, this is an array of forward-thinking eclectic electronic jazz. Rhodes, pianos, synths, strings, horns and flutes weave in & out atop of vibrant percussion and mind-bending drum patterns, forming a sound that is uniquely King Kaidi.
We begin with the delicate groove of Misty Garden, before the infectious synth-boogie of Sweet Cherry Punch. The almost-Quincy / EWF vibes of lead single So Happy follow, ahead of the mid-tempo stomp of Kanji. Silkie Bantam keeps the energy nice while picking up the BPM a touch, as we reach the half-time title track Miles Away, which also features Kaidi on vocals. Hipsteppin does what it says on the tin; another slice of infectious bruk-tinged jazz-boogie. Then its the return of frequent collaborator, the super-dope MC Uhmeer (aka Jazzy Jeffs son!) on the smooth soulful hip hop bounce of Wave. Hydration brings the funk; clavi keys and some weighty live bass accompany some truly knockin drums that switch in & out. The set closes with a real treat for the reggae steppers; Ku Deh is a short sweet touch of uplifting rock steady.
For those that dont know, Belfast-based Kaidi Tatham has 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.
As ever, this album is another truly diverse set from the Grammy-winning Kaidi Kyat, exuding quality and good vibes throughout, crossing genres and borders with intergalactic energy, taking us Miles Away.
Miles Away will be released 28th March 2025 on vinyl & digital.")
