London-based dub gang Gentleman’s Dub Club shared a brand new track ‘Honey’ featuring vocals from British reggae singer Hollie Cook. The track premiered today on all digital platforms via Easy Star Records and followed the release of ‘Castles in the Sky‘ from last November as the second piece of new music since the band’s latest record Lost In Space from January 2019. The single has already got some airtime on BBC Radio 6 and 1Xtra, alongside various radio, press and podcast appearances by Gentlemen’s Dub Club in recent weeks.
‘Honey‘ is a gentle piece of modern dub perfectly blending the dub outfit’s signature style and Cook’s smooth singing, stripped down to an almost acoustic version, focusing on relaxing melodies and vocal harmonies. The track acts as the logical continuation of ‘Castles in the Sky‘ that kickstarted their new album cycle and captured “the overall sonic direction of the new work, while showing off how the band continues to grow musically with each new creation“.
Continuing the successful partnership with the New York-based reggae and dub label Easy Star Records since joining in 2015 for their fourth album The Big Smoke, Gentleman’s Dub Club are steadily working on new music and upcoming album. ‘Honey‘ is produced by Toby Davies, also responsible for bass, keyboards and backing vocals for the band, and features Holly Cook and Jonathan Scratchley’s gentle vocal collaboration and instrumentation by Davies, Luke Allwood on keyboards, Nicholas Tyson on guitar and Matthew Roberts on trumpet. As previously stated by the band, they collaborated with Ben McKone, their long-term friend and drummer for General Roots.
The track is yet to see an official video premiere, but features an exclusive single artwork designed by Artwork By Blondie very much in the style of the previous work for ‘Castles in the Sky‘ as well as her independent projects. The supporting photoshoot is handled by freelance photographer Riya Hollings. Credits for overall mixing and mastering go to Brad Ellis, widely known as Brad Baloo and recognised for his stellar production and songwriting work for the likes of Little Mix, Anne-Marie, Leona Lewis, Plan B, and Chase & Status as well as early development for now establish talents such as Jess Mills, Ella Eyre, Rizzle Kicks and many others.
This one out today! Hit the link!!! https://t.co/kyKCIeuwJV
— Gentleman’s Dub Club #blacklivesmatter (@Gentlemansdub) January 29, 2021
With more news and updates to follow, Gentleman’s Dub Club’s upcoming album will be their sixth full-lenght release following their formation in Leeds back in 2006 and their debut EPs Members Only (2009) and Open Your Eyes (2012). The energetic gang, widely known for their infectious live performances and unique blend of genres and influences, produced their first LP FOURtyFOUR in 2013, before signing for Easy Star Records for the subsequent The Big Smoke (2015), Dubtopia (2017) and Lost In Space (2019). In addition, in 2018 the band teamed up with The Nextmen for the critically acclaimed Pound For Pound.
‘Honey‘ is yet another chapter in Hollie Cook’s ongoing and fruitful partnership with Gentleman’s Dub Club, having previously appeared on ‘Spooky‘ from Pound For Pound (2018) and frequently joining them for live stream performances. The daughter of Sex Pistols’ drummer Paul Cook, she was also involved with The Slits, as well as pursuing a side career and passionately blending reggae, dub and post-punk sensibilities. As a solo artist Hollie Cook has already released her self-titled debut from 2011, its 2014 follow-up Twice and the latest Vessel of Love from 2018.
