Smoove & Turrell – The Light (feat. Ronnie Foster) / Joy!
There really is nobody else quite like Smoove & Turrell. This talented crew of virtuoso musicians from the North East of England have been scene-leaders in the UK and internationally for well over a decade, and their distinctive brand of northern soul and analogue electronica has set them aside in their own lane for six albums and counting…
Having built their audience organically through hard work and extensive touring, their trajectory is still very much upward with their most recent album ‘Stratos Bleu’ hitting number 1 in the UK National album charts (dance) on release in 2020. Consistently prolific as recording and touring artists, their previous release ‘IGOTCHA’ was the first to be taken from their forthcoming album and has been strongly supported on BBC 6 Music.
Now the boys drop ‘The Light’ (Release Date: August 18th, 2023) which opens with the gospel backing of label mate Izo FitzRoy before John’s incredible voice and social lyricism and Smoove’s unmistakable production lift us up into The Light. Legendary US Blue Note keyboard genius Ronnie Foster joins the party as only he can, one of the very few instrumental guests Smoove has ever wanted (or needed) beyond his own band..
“How can you sum up the last 3 years of life on this lonely island. There was so much wrong with the way we’ve been let down by the people in power, from parties in No 10, Post truth politics bringing culture wars to our streets through a media that is driven by greed. The best way is to rise above it and let the love shine in. Stand up for the people that did so much for us during the dark days. Solidarity to all those who deserve so much better than they are getting now! The Light is what we can achieve if we all work together”
Front man John Turrell says
“If recent years taught us one thing it’s how much we need each other, how human contact is so important, just being the person who listens when someone is having their worst day can sometimes be a lifesaving intervention. In a way I wanted to write a song that could reach people in a slightly different way. A sort of mantra to get you out the slump. If it can help just one person it was all well with the effort”.
B Side Joy! Is an equally emotional anthem – John says