Following on from the success of Blue Note Re:imagined – fresh takes on music from the illustrious Blue Note vaults – a second Re:imagined album will soon be released with a fair amount of rising South London stars included on the 16-track compilation, writes Michael Holland.
Blue Note President Don Was says,
‘For more than eight decades the artists of Blue Note Records have continually pushed the envelope of contemporary music, and Blue Note Re:imagined II once again honours that legacy by letting the UK’s most creative young artists reinvent the treasures of the Blue Note catalogue through their own lens.’
Brockley singer Kay Young will be on the new album. She has been involved with music all her life and says, ‘I grew up in a musical household, so it was always around me from the day I was born. I knew from an early age that music is something that I wanted to do as it came very natural to me.’
Kay’s early influences were her musical parents: ‘Watching my dad practise on his guitar daily taught me the importance on working on your craft every day. Also, my mum telling me stories of what it was like when she used to sing on stage and rock the crowd excited me, I wanted to experience that feeling.’
Kay explains how the likes of Michael Jackson and Prince played a major part of her music education: ‘They knew how to entertain and set the bar for many to come.’
She reveals that she is a ‘massive fan of Kendrick Lamar’ but also enjoys listening to all types of music. I was, though, surprised to hear Kay reveal, ‘I’ve been listening to a lot of Mamas and Papas lately and a lot of 70s’ psychedelic rock band music.’
This SE London girl has done some impressive work on her journey. Kay was previously managed by Roc Nation and has supported some great acts, such as Jay Electronica, Corinne Bailey Rae and Cory Henry.
Which all makes it no surprise that Blue Note reached out to her. ‘Of course,’ she says, ‘I jumped at the opportunity.’
For the album Kay has chosen ‘Feel Like Making Love’ by Marlena Shaw. ‘I wanted to cover that song as I remember falling in love with it the very first time I heard it. I loved how pure Marlena sounded on it, she didn’t over complicate it either. She did just enough at the right time. I wanted to show my appreciation by doing my own cover.’
But there is also Kay’s own work to discuss; ‘I have a new EP coming out, which I’m excited about, more shows and hopefully do a tour of my own.’
And it would be remiss not to mention the iconic Blue Note album covers, celebrated almost as much for their visionary artwork as for the legendary recordings. Designer for the Blue Note Re:imagined campaign was Jay Vaz:
‘The Blue Note Re:imagined identity explores an abstract graphic notation score, aiming to represent the exciting energy and diverse range of artists that the new wave of jazz offers. The LP cover pays homage to a selection of legendary Reid Miles covers [in particular, Jackie McLean – It’s Time] that I felt perfectly executed the energy of this compilation.’
Blue Note Re:imagined II is out on September 30th
Featuring: Franc Moody • Nubiyan Twist • Cherise • Theon Cross • Reuben James • Conor Albert • Daniel Casimir • Ego Ella May • Yazz Ahmed • Maya Delilah • Binker Golding • Swindle • Venna & Marco • Oscar Jerome • Parthenope • Kay Young
