RELEASES
Options
Blue Lab return with their brand new single ‘Options’ release date September 27th. Featuring Farah Audhali, who the band worked with on their sumptuous “Wait A While” single, ‘Options’ is the duo’s first release on their new independent label Blue Adventure Records and first new music since they released their critically acclaimed album ‘Blue Eclipse’ in the spring of this year.
Speaking of the inspiration behind the label NK says, "I hope that by releasing artists who think outside the box, Blue Adventure Records will encourage other creatives to do the same. I started this tiny label on my own with barely any cash but it's happening and growing. I'm so excited that Blue Lab Beats are releasing our first ever indie track. I’ve also signed a very talented Jazz / Psychedelic band called Bonuru, the moment I heard their music I thought, I've not heard anything like this for a while! Listeners will really connect with their sound."
Mr DM adds, “Releasing ‘Options’ with Farah is our first stance as an independent act. It has been an enjoyable few years with Blue Note Records and we can’t wait for what the future holds for us. One thing’s for sure, so much more music will be coming from us, we are in the studio non-stop at the moment and loving it”.
Farah’s says, “‘Options’ covers the topic of moving on after a breakup and wanting your ex to know that you’ll be just fine without them”.
Blue Eclipse Album
NEVER DOUBT
TAKE TIME + GUAVA
WAIT A WHILE
SAY WOW
Motherland Journey Album
We Will Rise EP
““Combining hip hop with horns, packaged and delivered with funky élan.””
VOYAGE album
Vibe Central EP
““Afrobeat meets jazz meets electronics meets boom-bap hip-hop within grime’s architecture.””
Xover ALBUM
We reminded ourselves what we did with the two EPs and expanded a lot more on the experimentation.
The recording was finished at the amazing Real World studios in Bath. The equipment there blew our minds; vintage synths, awesome speakers and we invited 12 of the most talented musicians down to record with us (they were all our friends so we had great time for a few days too!).
The process was long and a lot of hard work because we were gigging while doing remixes for other artists. The two halves of the album show our style off well- distinctive halves but underneath the Blue Lab Beats sound.
“Xover is an essential album and a modern jazz must have.”
Freedom EP
Born in the tiny Blue Lab bedroom studio, we wanted to try and use a lot of synths and different arrangements, and really experiment. We accidentally tuned the track ‘Freedom’ a quarter key out but it fit better!
A lot of experimentation went on!
We added more of a hip-hop vibe than on the Blue Skies EP. A highlight was performing these tracks with featured vocalists, especially at AFROPUNK and WOMAD.
“It’s a manifesto for Blue Lab Beats’ sound, balancing the old world and the contemporary sounds of London to help reintroduce jazz to British rap.”
Blue Skies EP
One day while waiting for a vocalist to arrive at the Blue Lab bedroom studio in Golders Green, we started a beat-making session and ended up finishing an instrumental piece.
Listening back to it, we decided to do a whole EP in this lane. The fun part of this EP was jamming with the other musicians, creating ideas on the spot and also bringing NK-OK’s production ideas from the bedroom studio to Livingstone Studios in Wood Green and seeing the musicians interpret those ideas in their own way.
We weren’t expecting to gig from this EP and we were really surprised at the great reception!
This EP was what started off our Blue Lab journey!
“The duo supplement are relaxed but uplifiting brass melody with a steady boom-bap beat; It’s a simple formula, but utterly effective.”