JONES’ previous releases, the ‘Camera Flash’ EP and ‘Giving It Up’, ignited her reputation as a vital new talent in UK Pop Soul with widespread acclaim and airplay that spanned Radio 1, Radio 2, 1XTRA and Capital XTRA. Since then, JONES has connected with a host of talent from South London’s burgeoning modern jazz scene to bring a fresh and vibrant flavour to her sound.

Now JONES shares the first single from those sessions in the shape of ‘Around’ feat. Nardeydey, together with its official video. The track hints at what to expect from her brand new EP ‘Blue Sunshine’, which follows in September. Listen HERE.

JONES’ mesmerising vocal is the star of ‘Around’, an immaculate voice that flows freely from tender tones to breathy sensuality and dazzling high notes. Meanwhile, the instrumentation is groovier and more laidback than we’ve ever heard from her before, with musicianship that’s warm, evocative and completely on point. The result is a midsummer daydream of a song that takes JONES’ already exemplary artistry to new heights.

“I just wanted to write a vibey summer song that was easy to listen to,” says JONES. “I was listening to Steve Lacy in heavy rotation and wrote these lyrics one day in lockdown. I’m joined by the wonderful Nardeydey on the guitar and backing vocals on this one.”

One of JONES’ co-writers on the track, Nardeydey excels at using jazz as the foundation for a genre exploration that takes in folk, soul, Afrobeats and electro-pop, having also performed in Domino Records’ collective Nérija, the spiritual jazz crew Maisha, and the Mercury Prize nominated Seed Ensemble. Meanwhile producer Oli Barton-Wood demonstrates the finesse that he has contributed to recordings from Nubiyan Twist and Nilüfer Yanya as well as mixing for Maisha and Joe Armon-Jones.

The accompanying video for ‘Around’ reflects the airy ambience and positive vibe that powers the song. Classily filmed and styled, it focuses on the anticipation felt by two women as they prepare to meet with a new love interest. JONES’ performance also shines in a video that was directed by Lorenzo Sorbini.  Watch HERE.

The upcoming ‘Blue Sunshine’ EP features another key South London scene collaborator in the shape of the influential producer, composer and keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones. His two solo albums, ‘Starting Today’ and ‘Turn To Clear View’, have earned praise from Pitchfork, The Wire and Loud & Quiet. He has also consistently earned award attention, winning Session of The Year at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards, as well as a MOBO nomination for Best Jazz Act, and two consecutive nominations for UK Jazz Act of the Year at the Jazz FM Awards. He is also a member of the acclaimed Ezra Collective, and has played with Pharaohe Monch, Nubya Garcia and Ata Kak.

Raised in Aldgate, London, JONES first broke through with her debut album ‘New Skin’, but has constantly evolved her sound from her early influences such as Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley. With ‘Around’ and ‘Blue Sunshine’, she has achieved a new peak in an already highly accomplished career.

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Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.