Swindle joins forces with Joel Culpepper and Maverick Sabre on new race-critical single ‘No Black, No Irish’
Track paves the way Swindle album number two
UK mega-producer Swindle has teamed up with singers Joel Culpepper and Maverick Sabre on the new single ‘No Black, No Irish’, commenting on the ongoing problems surrounding race and discrimination in Britain.
The new track is taken from Swindle’s forthcoming album The New World, which is scheduled for release on 29th October via BMG. The album contains guest appearances from Ghetts, Kojey Radical, Joy Crookes, Greentea Peng, Loyle Carner, Joel Culpepper, Akala, Knucks, Poppy Adujha, Maverick Sabre, Jnr. Williams and Daley.
His first solo release since his 2019 critically acclaimed album No More Normal, ‘The New World’ hears Swindle explore themes including love, grief, fatherhood, life, race in Britain, future aspirations, and the ruminations of artists during the first UK lockdown.
The album is described by Swindle as a healing process, written in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. As ever, the project reflects the artist’s diverse musical palette, channelling electronic, jungle, jazz, funk, soul, and grime into his now-established knack for genre blends.
Speaking on the new track, Swindle said: “We went to studio to retreat in the height of one of the most uncomfortable times I’ve ever known. Before that week the only time I had left my home since lockdown was to protest with Joel. During that time race and the current social unrest was still at the forefront of our minds, watching a conversation between Mav and Joel become this song was a defining moment for this record and speaks directly to the intent of the session, healing.”
Maverick Sabre said: “NBNI is a song reflecting on the Irish and black connection through the experience in the UK. The title was a phrase used on signs in shop/hotel windows during a period of time symbolic of an attitude to both communities closely connected. Joel and I are just voicing that story of understanding each other through it all.”
Joel Culpepper added: “2020 was a year I felt confronted with multiple buried racist experiences after the murder of George Floyd. Feeling heard at this time was probably the most important exchanges I’ve ever had. A real conversation requires an active listener, prepared to rest in the uncomfortable. I found that person in Maverick Sabre during a musical retreat.This song at its heart is about racial and political rage; two friends talking and reasoning the madness. Though the conversation is deep routed Swindle’s sonics breathe some air of emotional optimism. Nina Simone told us it is our duty as artists to reflect the times. Here we all are then… reflecting.”
The track follows Swindle’s most recent singles ‘Blow Ya Trumpet’ – featuring Knucks, Ghetts, Akala and Kojey Radical – as well as the Poppy Adujha-featuring ‘Darkest Hour’ and the Loyle Carner opus ‘Lost’.