The UK's Deeper Wider Higher collective finally deliver their long
awaited debut album of spiritual soul, other worldly jazz and inspirational
sounds of blackness.After the initial hype of singles and remixes, comes the real
deal; seventeen tracks of simply heavenly music. The album took three months
to score and record, involved a hefty twenty-five musicians, and as an all-
encompassing listening experience it has surely meant that the crew from
Sheffield have lived up to their name.
Deeper. 'Follow Me' is littered with profound lyrics, 'psalmodic sounds' and
lush instrumentation courtesy of, amongst others, a pretty formidable ten-piece
string section. From the spine tingling solo keys on the album's introduction, to
cuts like the melancholic, brassy 'Soundtrack', the mysterious '40s jazz vibes of
'Guacco's Main Squeeze', the gorgeous, string laiden 'Latter Rains' and the
optimistic 'Still Here', DWH produce sublime soul music with a distinctly British
flavour.
Wider. DWH's influences spread far and wide. On many of the album's tracks
you can catch shades of piano led jazz (check '7/8' in particular) plus soul,
gospel and even a classical edge; although there are even more contemporary
influences at work here of course. A trio of remixes from bootleg don
Blackbeard, Croatian darlings of the future jazz scene Eddy & Yannah, and
Tribal Winds? Antonio Ocasio, round off the album perfectly. These three top
class, cutting edge producers respectively add rolling hip hop beats, fractured
funk, and straight up afro house to the DWH sound, broadening it further still.
Higher. This album will transport the listener to loftier planes of soulful sonic
science. The soaring vocals of lead singer Genifa Edwards, supported by
brass, percussion and string arrangements, along side those next-level lyrics will
surely move you to reach that little bit further to higher musical skies! These
guys tread the line between esoteric lyricism and the ability to knock out an
immediate, uplifting tune perfectly.
'Follow Me' is a rare accomplishment; an album that succeeds in prioritising
great song writing and musical ability over gimmicks, trends and a need to be
desperately fashionable. It's an uncompromising and honest collection that may
just lift your heart in these dark days of manufactured nonsense masquerading
as soul music.
Press/reviews for dwh - 'follow me'
'Follow Me' is a must for fans of Fertile Ground & The Rebirth and given
time will easily generate as much hype and respect'
Simon Harrison (Basic Soul review/UK)
'Nice feel to this album with some great musicianship.'
Kevin Beadle (Solar Radio, UK)
'A great album, very musical and high standard of production. Supporting
heavily.'
Paddy Freeman (Universal Vibes.com/Samurai fm)
'The music here touches on emotions, atmosphere and inspirations that
actually move you deep down inside and I'm sure songs such as 'Latter Rains'
and 'Beauty to Ashes' will become future classics just like the album
itself.'
David Colkett (Discoid magazine, Italy)
'This is extremely stylish album with lots of good attitude. 8/10'
Katrine Ring (Danmarks radio, Denmark)
'DWH have a deeply righteous sound that blendes together jazz with bits of
soul- all served up in a blend that's never forced, and never done with any
studio tricks or gimmicks.'
Dusty Groove America
' Love the album - a solid effort that's soulful, spiritual and
incorporates the best of old and new school R&B.'
David Bassin (Kusf, San Francisco)
An elegant intro makes way for a consistency throughout the album, fusing
soul as only the British know how, with subtle jazzy tones. A very warm and
beautiful release.'
Steve Williams (UK Vibe)
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