{"title":"First Word Records","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"a-christmas-cwtch","title":"A Christmas Cwtch","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records are very proud to bring you 'A Christmas Cwtch', the brand new album from highly-acclaimed Welsh jazz-harpist, Amanda Whiting.\n\nExpertly crafted with love, care and dedication, 'A Christmas Cwtch' takes on assorted classics from the likes of Vince Guaraldi, Bill Evans, Holst and Tchaikovsky, and re-presents them with original arrangements by Amanda and her accomplished trio. The end result is a 14-track selection pack of feel-good seasonal jazz-harp magic, including recent singles 'Peace Piece' and 'Skating'.\n\nAmanda says \"just mention Christmas and you hear Guaraldi, Bill Evans and the sound of sleigh bells and harps. It's my favourite time of year and the music evokes everything warm and cwtchy. Sparkling lights, mince pies, mulled wine and nostalgia around the tree.\"\n\nOn the word 'cwtch', Amanda explains that \"a 'cwtch' is the most important word to Welsh folk. It's a hug, with a little squeeze. It's a feeling. It's cosy, loving and safe. I wanted this album to hold you, cwtch you and allow you to indulge.\"\n\nInspired by artists like Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, Amanda is a classically trained virtuoso, well established in the UK jazz scene, with releases on Jazzman and Albert's Favourites.\n\nHer most recent projects were released on Worldwide Award-winning UK label, First Word; 'Beyond the Midnight Sun' (with label-mate and Welsh Music Prize nominee, Don Leisure) and the hugely popular 2024 album 'The Liminality of Her', which received widespread praise in outlets such as Jazzwise, Mojo, Clash, Bandcamp, AllMusic, Somewhere Soul, HHV, Apple Music and Harp Column.\n\nShe has had wide support on the airwaves from tastemakers such as Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music), Patrick Forge (NTS), Soweto Kinch (BBC Radio 3), Kev Beadle (Totally Wired), Tina Edwards (Soho Radio), Laurent Garnier (FiP) and Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2).\n\n'A Christmas Cwtch' exemplifies Amanda's talent and personality simultaneously, celebrating an array of her favourite things; the harp, her Welshness, her love of jazz, her love of classical music and her love of Christmas. This album is an absolute delight, and the perfect soundtrack for the season. An essential stocking filler!\n\n'A Christmas Cwtch' is scheduled for December 2nd 2024 release on digital, vinyl and CD.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50828795216203,"sku":"2232535","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50828793971019,"sku":"2232532","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_a1e73142_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1731517632"},{"product_id":"nothing-leaves-the-house-the-anthology","title":"Nothing Leaves The House - The Anthology","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is proud to present 'Nothing Leaves The House - The Anthology'.\r\n\r\nA vinyl-only album of 16 hip hop instrumentals from Mr Thing, kidkanevil, Tall Black Guy \u0026amp; Eric Lau.\r\n\r\nThis is a collection of a long-out-of print series of beats from four of the most revered beat-makers in the underground scene. This double-vinyl collection features four brand new tracks specially created for this 10 year anniversary release.\r\n\r\nThe concept behind this project was originally birthed on Record Store Day 2012. First Word label founder Gilla explains \"as we dipped in and out of London's Soho record shops, kidkanevil mentioned to me that he wanted to mine Mr Thing's vast record collection for samples. An idea formed to invite a couple of other beatmakers to join him and to press the resulting beats onto vinyl. Mr Thing enthusiastically agreed to the idea with one stipulation: they could sample what they wanted, but the records had to stay within the walls of his flat. We quickly enlisted Eric Lauand Tall Black Guy to complete the quartet and 'Nothing Leaves The House' was born.\"\r\n\r\nThe release came to fruition and was released a decade ago, for Record Store Day in April 2014. The quartet met up once again shortly after in another London record shop, to work on a follow up project. For this one, Mr Thing brought one record for each producer from his collection for them to sample. They reciprocated by picking a record from the racks in the shop for him to use. 'Thing Leaves The House' was then released in 2015.\r\n\r\nCompleting the trilogy of releases, the crew were invited to the legendary John Peel Archive to dig for samples there. After trawling the legendary Peel Acres collection, the producers individually selected sound snippets to create new beats from; this time under the stipulation that 'Nothing Leaves The Archive'. This double 7\" release again landed on Record Store Day, 2016.\r\n\r\nGilla says \"10 years on from the release of the first record, and almost 9 years to the day since we were at Peel Acres, we are now releasing the 4th and final volume. Whilst Mr Thing is still in England, the other three have travelled far and wide. Eric Lau is now in China, Tall Black Guy has returned to the US and kidkanevil has moved to Berlin. Our indie label budget didn't extend to uniting everyone from the different continents, so instead Mr Thing uploaded a folder of tracks for the trio to work from. With the previous volumes now long sold out, we've added the original beats to this anthology and have moved up from a double 7\" to a double 12\" LP. One side for each producer; four tracks made across 10 years.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n'Nothing Leaves The House - The Anthology' is released on double vinyl, on Black Friday, November 29th 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50857310650699,"sku":"2233201","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_76c9a254_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1731950841"},{"product_id":"part-of-the-plan-faded-from-the-jump","title":"Part Of The Plan \/ Faded From The Jump","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records are proud to present a new double-AA sided collaboration from [ K S R ] and Konny Kon (Children of Zeus) - 'Part of the Plan \/ Faded from the Jump', available on 7\" vinyl and digital.\n\nTwo of Manchester's finest r\u0026amp;b ambassadors, the duo team up for two tracks displaying very different styles of soul music. \n\n'Part of the Plan' has a timeless classic feel, nodding back to the likes of Stax and Atlantic, akin to the contemporary sound of Daptone artists like Jalen Ngonda or Thee Sacred Souls. Waves crash on the dock of the bay, with [ K S R ]'s soulful tones and Konny's laidback production (accompanied by Son of Zeus, Tyler Daley on the backing vox).\n\n'Faded from the Jump' is another three and a half minutes of bliss, taking on a sound that's more signature to the duo's previous work, individually and collectively, sitting somewhere between future r\u0026amp;b, neo-soul and classic Manny street soul. [ K S R ] again takes the lead on this smoothed-out cut, with Konny behind the boards on production.\n\n[ K S R ] hails from Moss Side and has been steadily building a strong rep for himself over the past few years with a slew of releases, including an EP and several singles via First Word. He was named \"R\u0026amp;B act to watch\" by Complex, and hand-picked by Mahalia to perform an event she curated personally at London's Jazz Cafe. He's toured with artists including Pip Millet, Etta Bond, Mica Miller \u0026amp; The Mouse Outfit, and also collaborated with various d\u0026amp;b artists, such as Zero T, Lenzman, Searchlight and Makoto. Music aside, [ K S R ] has also been creative ambassador for New Balance, Foot Locker, Nike, Size? and Manchester United. \n\nKonny Kon is best known for being one half of hip hop soul duo, Children of Zeus. With performances for Colors and Soulection, and support from peers Jazzy Jeff, Jazzie B, Loose Ends \u0026amp; countless others, Children of Zeus have released two highly-acclaimed albums and two EPs on Worldwide Award winning-label, First Word. Additionally to writing, performing and producing, Konny is a formidable DJ, hosting a popular monthly show on NTS Radio, and performing at numerous events; most recently supporting Mercury Award-winner's Ezra Collective at every date on their European tour, culminating in a show with Children of Zeus at Wembley Arena, London. \n\nBoth artists have had wide support across the board from numerous tastemakers, including 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Rinse, Represent, Unity, Mixmag, Notion, Hypebeast and tons more. The duo have previously collaborated on 'All on You' (from the CoZ album 'Travel Light') and single 'CGWY' (from [ K S R ]'s EP 'Peace + Harmony').\n\nThis single showcases the vocals of [ K S R ] and the production of Konny Kon to a degree that exudes pure quality and class, exemplifying the power of modern British soul music.\n\n'Part of the Plan \/ Faded from the Jump' is released on 7\" vinyl and digital, 22nd November 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50875507933515,"sku":"2230263","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_418380c5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1732264441"},{"product_id":"did-it-again","title":"Did It Again","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records are delighted to present 'Did It Again', the debut EP from Victoria Port.\nVictoria is a British singer\/songwriter that's previously released two albums as half of electronic soul outfit Anushka (on Brownswood and Tru Thoughts respectively), with a third album from the duo scheduled for release later in 2025 on BBE. Now Victoria is finally making the move to showcase her music, in her own unique way, as a solo artist.\nHer first solo single 'Cigarette' saw support from Cerys Matthews \u0026amp; Huey Morgan on BBC 6 Music, Gilles Peterson (Worldwide FM), Mi-Soul Radio ('One To Watch'), Dan Digs (NPR Music), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Somewhere Soul, Soho Radio, Totally Wired, Global Soul (also as part of their live showcase at Koko, London) and many more, while her last Anushka project also received extensive support from tastemakers such as Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Jamz Supernova, and saw her wowing crowds as a regular player on the UK and international festival circuit.\nThis debut 4-track EP is set to place her where she firmly belongs; as an exciting new talent in the vibrant, eclectic UK r\u0026amp;b\/soul scene.\nAs well as the single 'Cigarette', the EP includes the beautiful follow-up single 'Haunting', and two more soulful tracks; the slow jam 'Keep Love For Me', and the title track 'Did It Again'. Production comes courtesy of Hemai and Shevlane, with all tracks written by Victoria herself, along with her trusted team of accomplices; JNR Williams, Dominic Martin \u0026amp; Louie Hemus.\n'Did It Again' is largely inspired by the legacy of her Dominican grandmother, and the tales of all the powerful women she has known, and is yet to know, encompassing their vulnerability and their truth. This in turn with her own journey as a mother. \"I found the journey into motherhood transformative\", she says. \"I felt lost and broken at times, but simultaneously the most capable and powerful I've ever been. I've had to do the work and face my own shortcomings, in order to be the person I want to be, for my child, and ultimately for myself\".\nSonically, Victoria takes her influences from a lifelong appreciation of soul music, drawing inspiration from artists like Gladys Knight, Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross, Nine Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Dionne Warwick, to contemporaries such as Cleo Sol and Jorja Smith. She adds \"I'm particularly obsessed with the girl bands from the '60's. I love the stories and the harmonies. Motown was the soundtrack to my childhood. Songs that make you want to dance in your kitchen!\".\nThis debut solo EP is a beautiful example of Victoria's prowess as a vocalist and composer alike.\n'Did It Again' is to be released on vinyl and digitally worldwide in February 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":51003204632907,"sku":"2237094","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_9752d839_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1734953031"},{"product_id":"arrow-root","title":"Arrow Root","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records are proud to present the debut single from Above The Clouds (aka kidkanevil and Magic Manfred) with their instrumental take on an MF Doom classic, 'Arrow Root'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"7\" - Black","offer_id":52023704650059,"sku":"R7986-0871","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_2eea0682-b985-4e9d-a727-5c36119fad25.jpg?v=1749371617"},{"product_id":"unsung-irregular","title":"Unsung Irregular","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is his third full-length studio LP, and is comprised of 11 tracks showcasing Werkha's unique blend of jazzy breakbeat-tinged electronics and analogue aesthetics. It includes the singles 'S-Bend', 'Toast Rack', and two collaborations; 'Everyday (featurinf Ríoghnach Connolly)' and 'Narrow In' (featuring Daudi Matsiko) - a pair of revered artists with roots in folk music, complimenting the close connection to nature found throughout Werkha's productions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53235032195403,"sku":"R0338-9295","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_2a1d9c6e-5033-42f2-a99b-a8e67e12cc6a.jpg?v=1755946042"},{"product_id":"victoria-port","title":"Victoria Port","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records are proud to present the sophomore solo EP from Victoria Port.  'Barefoot In The Garden' is a 5-track selection merging classic soul with contemporary sounds.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePut together from sessions recorded at the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London, and Victoria's home studio Candle Shop, this project exemplifies her talents as a singer-songwriter, developing upon the building blocks of her debut EP 'Did it Again' and Victoria's work as one half of electronic-soul duo, Anushka (BBE \/ Tru Thoughts \/ Brownswood).  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn this EP, Victoria is accompanied by a wealth of talented artists in their own right, including frequent collaborators Hemai and JNR Williams, the highly-acclaimed drummer Moses Boyd, and vocalists such as Lea Lea, to name just a few.  The sonic tapestry stitched together on this EP epitomises the quality of British soul music of modern times; a vintage symphonic feel approach with modern-day production techniques, encompassing the Ronson-era of the late great Amy Winehouse, to the pack leaders of nowadays such as SAULT and Jungle. It's a logical progression considering Victoria's lifelong influences of US luminaries like Minnie Riperton, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone and Dionne Warwick. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"12\" - Black","offer_id":53332761182539,"sku":"R2712-4558","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_dbe87568-bd0c-418c-a64c-fbdb29415eba.jpg?v=1757258631"},{"product_id":"ghouls","title":"Ghouls","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGhouls is\u003c\/em\u003e the 6th studio album from Bastien Keb. Through thereflective and introspectivemulti-mood journey of its 19-tracks, this album spanspsychedelic-chamber-funk, warped anti-ballads, cinematic instrumentals, Ethio-jazz and ethereal ambience. Part soundtrack, part beat-tape, part memoir, this is a dreamlike soundscape sewn together from half-forgotten memories \u0026amp; late night breakdowns. Entirely sample-free, this album is full to the brim with musical experimentation, with Keb's compulsion to make all the individual pieces of music independently; combining strings, harps, saxophones, theremins, clarinets, flutes and trumpets. He signals to the fuzzy, nostalgic nebulous of mid '90s skate videos, as well as harking back to the scores and moods of movies like The French Connection, Taxi Driver, The Warriors and La Haine. There are whispers of sounds in the air from jazz clubs, street preachers and Turkish restaurants. Keb describes the sonic experience of this album simply as this… \"You're half awake, and half asleep, but you're warm…\" For this 19-track opus, Keb is joined extensively by Malik Ameer Crumpler; a poet, composer, editor and professor based in Paris, who's been involved in numerous albums while writing for various forms of experimental media.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53380139483467,"sku":"R5307-9290","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki-13_44642921-e94f-4e1e-bf7b-8188e1d11740.jpg?v=1757795714"},{"product_id":"penny-ballads","title":"Penny Ballads","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records are proud to bring you 'Penny Ballads', a 5-track EP from Royce Wood Junior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoyce Wood Junior is a Grammy \u0026amp; Mercury Award-nominated musician, songwriter and record producer from London, currently based in Brighton. As a multi-instrumentalist, he's collaborated with a litany of brilliant artists over the years, such as Jamie Woon, Nao, Disclosure, Jessie Ware, Olivia Dean, Joy Crookes, Jamie Lidell and Jordan Rakei, additionally to touring with the likes of the legendary Thomas Dolby. He's released two acclaimed solo albums to date ('The Ashen Tang' in 2015, and 'No Two Blue Ticks' in 2021).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Penny Ballads' demonstrates RWJ's varied talents, with a collection of alternative soul compositions, each one as unique as the next. It includes the first two singles, the Poplife-Prince era flavoured 'Go Get Your Money', and the double-time future funk adrenaline shot, 'Clean Up', along with three previously-unreleased tracks. 'Beretta' is low-slung soul funk, beginning with quirky squelchy synths, before the soulful lead vocal of feature artist Lucey Way breezes in to melt everyone's hearts. 'Things' sweeps in next, an infectiously soulful midtempo heavy soul bop, with an instant earwork of a hook, like a modern-day Steely Dan \/ Doobie Brothers, complete with a head-nodding string section to end the track. The collection concludes on a more melancholy downtempo tip with 'Rolling'; an almost-folktronic anthem, with a key refrain that wouldn't be out of place on a 70's Stevie piece.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"12\" - Black","offer_id":53722050462027,"sku":"R8288-0024","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_12.jpg?v=1761320071"},{"product_id":"change-1","title":"Change","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records proudly present the second single from Above The Clouds (aka kidkanevil and Magic Manfred), taking on another underground hip hop classic, 'Change'.  'Change' was originally performed by Shadez of Brooklyn, produced by Da Beatminerz and most notably appeared on DJ Premier's legendary 'New York Reality Check 101' mix compilation back in 1997.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 7\" vinyl release follows on from last Summer's MF Doom cover 'Arrow Root', which received strong support from the likes of Japan's DJ Koco and Philadelphia's DJ Jazzy Jeff.  This new instrumental reinterpretation also features cuts by Leicester-based turntablist, Jon1st - a DMC World Online Champion, as well as being a producer and musician in his own right, collaborating on music with a number of hip hop, D\u0026amp;B and electronic artists.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"7\" - Black","offer_id":56888848449867,"sku":"R7605-2162","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover-1.ki_c1bd5366-8cb5-458a-863b-148129a0912c.jpg?v=1774551735"},{"product_id":"through-the-moods","title":"through the moods","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe debut EP from papaya noon - ‘through the moods’.  papaya noon are a Cardiff-based duo comprised of vocalist Annie Mirza and multi-instrumentalist Greg Marriott.  Formed five years ago, they make jazz-infused R\u0026amp;B music that incorporates their mutual love of classic soul, hip hop and electronica.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe duo have already amassed an impressive fan-base online, garnering over 80,000 followers across their socials, and receiving praise from such luminaries in the US as Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, 9th Wonder, Bootie Brown and the late great Fatman Scoop.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a result of their unique style, captivating grooves and deeply catchy hooks, encompassing a distinctive blend of soul music, from retrospective 90s vibes to alternative futuristic flavours, creating a sonic palette that’s wonderfully contemporary, yet very much their own.  All their music is written, performed \u0026amp; produced single-handedly by the duo themselves, who’ve managed to create a magically powerful potion from their plant-filled Cardiff studio space, and generated huge anticipation for their future output in-turn.  The future is Now  as papaya noon are finally ready to unleash their music into the world.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘through the moods’ is a 6-track EP of delicious alternative r\u0026amp;b vibes, already set to become future soul classics.  Sonically rooted in warm, textured instrumentation and layered harmonies, the duo have triumphantly built a huge soundscape that feels simultaneously nostalgic and futuristic. Smoky late-night ballads nestle alongside infectious uptempo jams, leaning into their jazzy boom-bap and neo-soul influences, whilst showcasing their phenomenal spread of talents as performers and songwriters both.  The duo explained that the EP navigates “neurodivergence, trauma \u0026amp; loss, with tenderness \u0026amp; honesty. Rather than presenting trauma as a spectacle, we’ve attempted to approach it with the softness and complexity that it merits”.  From the first single release ‘blush’, to the downtempo sweetness of ‘blindside’ or ‘morning light’, to the pacier ‘on your side’ and EP closer ‘crybaby’, each track on this project exemplifies their unbridled ability to produce deeply infectious earworms, whilst thematically encompassing unflinching lyricism that’s deeply personal.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word Records","offers":[{"title":"12\" - Black","offer_id":57456231088459,"sku":"R2204-0360","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover-3.ki_2cfecdb4-fe7e-47d0-b97f-0218629397ea.jpg?v=1779947417"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/first-word-records.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}