Albums of 2024
As we head towards the end of another year packed full of musical goodness it’s time to take a look back over all of the full length albums that we have released in 2024.
Click on the album titles to listen or check out all of the releases on our Bandcamp HERE
This round-up of the LPs that Tru Thoughts has released in 2024 covers everything from Neo-Soul, Broken Beat, and Jazz to Downtempo Beats, House, Soul, Electronica and the many genre cross-pollinations in-between. 2024 has delivered new music from Tru Thoughts’ more established artists, our most recent signings, and has also seen a selection of inspired remixes – more of which can all be found in the Release section of our Bandcamp.
SHYGUY – Wait, What. Now?
SHYGUY’s debut album ‘Wait, What. Now?’ weaves a kaleidoscope of genres, fusing soul, psychedelic vocals, jazz and raw but funky hip hop drums. SHYGUY confront their introverted nature, adopting vibrant personas, as a result, this introverted collaboration evolves into an extroverted expression, showcasing clusters of unconventional textures.
SLY5THAVE – Liberation
‘Liberation’ is the third solo LP from composer, arranger, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sly5thAve. Layered with orchestral arrangements, jazz improvisation and Hip-Hop production, ‘Liberation’ is an accomplished record of courage, musical conviction, and growth. Trusting his inner voice and personal taste, Sly5thAve found himself liberated from fear by the ease with which the original orchestrations of ‘Liberation’ manifested themselves: “This record exploded out of me. I couldn’t write it fast enough.”
ALICE RUSSELL – I Am
Alice Russell is universally acclaimed as one of the best modern soul voices of our time, while her raw talent and charisma commands attention and affection. The much-loved British soulstress returns with the most personal album of her career, ‘I Am’ is vulnerable and bold, while addressing how we must all work on ourselves to heal – so that we can love and connect with those and the world around us more honestly and deeply.
Written and produced alongside long-time collaborator TM Juke, ‘I Am’ is the first offering of new music from the iconic singer in over a decade and marks a new era in the remarkable career of the down-to-earth vocal powerhouse.
‘I Am’ was selected as one of Bandcamp’s Best Albums of 2024, and featured in the Top 30 Official Record Store and reached number 12 in the Official Independent Album Breakers Chart
BRUK ROGERS – Loopholes
‘Loopholes’ serves as a testament to the depth and range of Bruk Rogers musical influences, all seamlessly integrated within the framework of Broken Beat. ‘Loopholes’ emerges as a vibrant melting pot, blending jazz, soul and funk with dub and reggae flavours, notes of bossa nova, samba, and hip hop, and a UK Bass Music touch. ‘Loopholes’ space-age title, in tandem with Bruk Rogers’ moniker, is inspired by the cosmic adventurer and sets the stage for the exploration of Broken Beat’s evolution. The release pays tribute to its roots and musical heritage, while delving into the Bruk Renaissance and a new-age soundscape.
SHARKY – Up Til Now
Sharky merges historic releases with previously unheard versions on her ‘Up Till Now’ LP, including an edit of “Tenerife 2”. The release follows Sharky’s debut album “People Are Strange” and subsequent remixes from Donsurf and El Payo.
“Tenerife 2” is producer/husband Todd Speakman’s tweaked version of the acclaimed “Tenerife”. This disco-era reimagining breathes new life into the song, boasting a revamped drum kit and arrangement. The result is a harmonious fusion of nostalgia and modernity, where the synth-heavy, 80s influences meld effortlessly with avant-soul vocals. This retrospective sound serves as a poignant backdrop whilst Sharky reminisces and recalls memories that shaped her perspective of her Mum.
‘Up Till Now’ serves as an anthology, combining a carefully curated selection from Sharky’s musical journey, including previously unreleased instrumentals.
BRYONY JARMAN-PINTO – Below Dawn
‘Below Dawn’ is the second studio album by singer, songwriter and musician, Bryony Jarman-Pinto. As it traverses sentimental themes, from societal change and untapped emotions to the profound journey of pregnancy and motherhood, the album exudes an aura of intimacy. This emotional depth is complemented by Bryony’s distinctive, harmonious vocals and the infusion of jazz-inspired melodies. ‘Below Dawn’ is a deeply personal and transformative musical journey, the title encapsulates this transition beautifully. “This album speaks about myself just before I gave birth and stepped into a new era, so the name reflects that underlying hidden catalyst” Bryony adds. The album is produced by Ben Lamdin, aka label-mate Nostalgia 77, whose credits include writing and producing for artists such as Jamie Cullum, Alice Russell, and Jeb Loy Nichols.
SEFI ZISLING – The Librarian
Renowned jazz and funk trumpeter Sefi Zisling presents his third album ‘The Librarian’, blending classic elements with psychedelic funk, soul, and spiritual jazz. ‘The Librarian’ is dedicated to all things close to Sefi’s heart. Featuring the single “Brothers” and a cover of Mal Waldron’s “All Alone”, he pays homage to his musical inspirations, his wife, friends, and Eyad, a Palestinian whose story moved Sefi. “This album was made as an ode to the people I love, and I would like to dedicate this album to them.” – Sefi Zisling
CATPACK – Catpack
‘Catpack’, from Los Angeles trio Amber Navran (of Moonchild), Jacob Mann and Phil Beaudreau, is the cats meow. The genuine camaraderie and mutual admiration shared among the three creatives is palpable in its organic, joyful exploration of musical expression. Amber adds “to me it’s three people with distinct sounds who love and admire each other, coming together to make something new”. The result is an authentic convergence of their artistry, drawing on their influences to harness a jazz-influenced R&B sound, with neo-soul, funky and electronic motifs. The whimsical namesake is taken from a synth patch resembling cats meowing that they discovered in the studio and an ingenious merch idea that followed (search Google for catpacks).
SHAPES Series – Shapes 25
The 25th-anniversary edition of our ‘Shapes’ series, highlighting our catalogue from its inception in 1999 to the present day. Curated by A&R, label founder and co-owner, DJ Robert Luis, ‘Shapes 25’ is a 30-track compilation split into two parts, each exploring a different facet of our eclectic roster. Part One offers a taste of our soul, downtempo and jazz releases. Part Two highlights our club and dance floor anthems, including an exclusive, previously unreleased remix of Sandunes’ “Follow Me feat. KAVYA” by the MOBO-nominated Zed Bias.
TARA LILY – Speak In The Dark
Tara Lily released her debut LP ‘Speak in the Dark’, featuring Surya Sen and Grammy-nominated Theo Croker – it’s a record about “speaking your truth – things that go unsaid—secrets and desires”. Transgressing jazz, electronica, trip-hop, and alternative R&B with Indian soundscape. The album reached 18th in the Official Record Store Chart, and 12th in the Independent Album Breakers Chart. It was featured in CRACK, The Face, COLORS, Clash, Wonderland, Notion, Wordplay, Nuance, Mixmag, OffieMag, EARMILK, NPR, and Jazziz. Tara spoke to DAZED around the release of the record and was named a CMU Approved artist. She performed live instores at Rough Trade Bristol and East London to celebrate the release.
BENJI BOWER – Terra Coda
Renowned composer, pianist, producer, musical director and artist, Benji Bower unites Bristol’s most acclaimed musicians to form a 60-piece ensemble, The Terra Collective Orchestra. Together, they present their debut album, ‘Terra Coda’, an orchestral ode to Earth,
‘Terra Coda’ has been a lifelong project for Benji, intertwining exceptional musical depth with his unwavering commitment to pivotal environmental concerns. Conceptually rich, it explores musical, political and environmental dimensions, reflecting Benji’s journey and meticulous attention to detail. The Terra Collective Orchestra boasts an impressive array of experience, having worked for, produced, engineered or toured with renowned artists such as The Heritage Orchestra, Portishead, Bonobo, PJ Harvey, Massive Attack, This Is The Kit, Alice Russell, Anoushka Shankar, Peter Gabriel, Elbow, Madness, John Rutter, Sam Cooke, John Williams, Cinematic Orchestra, Paraorchestra and many more.
‘Tru Thoughts 2024’ is the latest instalment of our annual compilation series, featuring 22 tracks from the past year, carefully curated by label head, co-founder and DJ, Robert Luis. This eclectic collection – that coincides with our 25th Anniversary – highlights our diverse and international roster, showcasing genres that span neo-soul, jazz, and contemporary classical to grime, broken beat, and electronica.
