Tru Thoughts Covers 3

Tru Thoughts presents ‘Covers 3’ – the third instalment of the label’s ‘Covers’ compilation series, compiled by A&R, label co-founder and renowned DJ Robert Luis.
The release brings together unique and captivating cover versions by past and present artists on the roster, which have been released and loved as album tracks, singles or one-offs alongside exclusive re-workings. The LP is released digitally and on a limited run of 500 hand-numbered ice cream coloured vinyl (plus download card with all 18 tracks).

‘Covers 3’ features adaptations of originals from a host of iconic artists including afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti; peripheral soul figure William DeVaughn; pre-eminent jazz fusion band Weather Report; American music innovator Duke Ellington; anthemic jungle duo Shy FX & Apache; golden age hip-hop duet Pete Rock & CL Smooth; idiosyncratic and elliptical singer-songwriter Frank Ocean, plus many more. ‘Tru Thoughts Covers 3’ makes for an exceptional listen, re-contextualising well-loved classics with a fresh edge.

Familiar Tru Thoughts faces stepping up to the ‘Covers’ plate include cover rearrangement aficionados Hot 8 Brass Band, Sly5thAve, Magic Drum Orchestra and Quantic, alongside J-Felix, sUb_modU, Soul Central, Jesse Fischer, Mark de Clive-Lowe, The Seshen, Animanz and Pieces of a Man plus Carolina Lins & Os Planatos with their infectiously lively Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) reworking of the Kaiser Chiefs’ classic “I Predict A Riot” (as featured on the soundtrack of ‘Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football’).

As well as many of these covers being pressed to vinyl for the first time there is an exclusive unreleased tune that has been sought out and signed specifically for this compilation; Adam Prescott and Deemas J’s collaborative flip of Peter Rock & CL Smooth’s – “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)”.

Curating the first Tru Thoughts Covers release in five years, Robert Luis explains how the series showcases another spectrum and dimension to the label “I find it fascinating how different artists re-work songs that are known in one genre and flip it to another place or update a song for a new audience within a genre. We always get interesting feedback and support for the covers, and it is always enjoyable putting them out into the world. We are now into the third volume of this series of compilations, and I feel these albums highlight a different creative side of Tru Thoughts artists who most of the time are writing original material.”