I Am (Acoustic Versions) with Amanda Whiting
Alice Russell

Following the success of her widely praised album ‘I Am’, celebrated British soulstress Alice Russell joins forces with esteemed jazz harpist Amanda Whiting for a stripped-back acoustic rendition of “I Am” – the emotive title track from the album written and recorded with longtime collaborator TM Juke – and “Agreement”, another standout moment from the record.

Where the album original tracks explored layered production and sonic experimentation, these new versions strip everything back to its emotional core, spotlighting Alice’s unmistakable voice and the song’s lyrical depth.

Amanda Whiting’s harp brings an otherworldly elegance and depth to the arrangement. Following in the footsteps of jazz harp greats Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, virtuoso harpist Amanda Whiting brings a fresh, genre-defying approach to the instrument – fusing jazz, classical, and hip-hop influences into something rhythmically rich, emotionally resonant, and entirely her own.

“Amanda was already on my radar, and once we finally connected, we talked for hours about everything from motherhood to the state of the world and the need for connection through music. It felt like I’d known her forever. We’ve kept up our monthly check-ins and have been hatching more plans ever since. For this version of ‘I Am’, Amanda drove down to Brighton and joined TM Juke and me in the studio – we set up some mics and recorded a few live takes together, and what you hear here is the result.

The world feels heavy right now, and for a while, I found it hard to write or let ideas take root. But something’s shifted – new songs have started to flow again, and I’m feeling re-inspired. Music has always been a healing tonic, and it feels more important than ever to make work that truly resonates.” – Alice Russell

An established presence on the international jazz scene, Amanda has collaborated with a diverse array of artists including Chip Wickham, Greg Foat, Matthew Halsall, DJ Yoda and Rebecca Vasmant, carving out a distinctive voice in contemporary music. Her innovative approach has earned her a Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year nomination and support from Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2) and Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music). Together, Alice and Amanda create a sound that is both timeless and transcendent – a virtuosic fusion of jazz, soul, and acoustic intimacy that feels at once grounded and cinematic.