singer/multi-instrumentalist Duke Garwood'sHeavy Love brilliantly explores this magical artist's auteurist, cinematic vision.Recorded in Josh Homme's Pink Duck studio in Los Angeles with Alain Johannes (QOTSA) and Mark Lanegan at the helm Heavy Love's dark, mystical and erotic sound returns Garwood's music to the elements, to mad blues, to unhurried grooves and desert slithers, and his characterisic spectral, past-midnight burr. With the ink just dry on a new record deal with Heavenly Recordings and the new album due for release on February 10, Garwood is set to be thrust into the spotlight he so thoroughly deserves. Heavenly has just released the first video from the album, the title track featuring guest vocals from Savages singer Jehnny Beth and direction by famed rock photographer Steve Gullick; you can view here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrcCGjIX6Zo&

The recording sessions happened as magically as the music that came out of them. After opening for Mark Lanegan's Soulsavers, the two became friends, tour mates and finally collaborators on the Black Pudding album, Duke providing the hushed, dusky musical settings. The work went so well they were finished a day early and on that leftover day, Garwood entered Pink Duck alone, and began work on the album that would become Heavy Love, capturing a musician at his peak.

"When I was young and pretty, I could've become a star," reflects Garwood. "Luckily, I didn't have any inkling to. I didn't know what I was doing; I wanted to play music the way I wanted it to be played. That probably saved my life". Instead he would embark upon the kind of character-building, detour-strewn route known only by the greatest artists and vagabonds. Along the way he formed deep connections with great musicians - from similarly quixotic souls like Lanegan, Seasick Steve and Josh T. Pearson - to distant legends Tinariwen and The Master Musicians Of Jajouka. Savages singer Jehnny Beth has also been a long-term admirer: "I met Duke at The Luminaire. He was playing sweet ballads with a tint of free-jazz; his voice was thin and full, like a Chet Baker turned into a midnight wolf. The first question was 'who is this guy'?" It's her delicate vocals that appear onHeavy Love's haunting title-track, which you can hear on the new video made by Garwood and famed rock photographer Steve Gullick.

What others have to say about Duke Garwood:

"I've listened to Duke for years but have not heard him as in control and powerful as he is on Heavy Love. His guitar playing and singing remind me of an unrequited and lusty relative of JJ Cale. I fucking love this." Greg Dulli

"Duke Garwood is the real thing; like the perfect blues perpetually emanating good vibes thru a uni-vibe (even when he's singing about darkness). An old soul and a saint..." Kurt Vile

"My brother Duke is the most soul-acious soul man I know. He's always cut his own groove and it's been my honour to play with him so many times." Seasick Steve

"The entire record listening public should know Duke Garwood's music. The fact most don't is a fucking travesty. He's a mystic, a musical genius and Heavy Love is a total mind-blowing masterpiece. Get with it people!" Mark Lanegan

Duke on fb: https://www.facebook.com/dukejgarwood

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dukegarwood

official site: http://www.dukegarwood.co.uk/

Heavenly: http://heavenlyrecordings.com/