Brand New Heavies

The Brand New Heavies, an English band, formed in 1985 with Simon Bartholomew, Andrew Levy, and Jan Kincaid. Initially an instrumental acid jazz act, they eventually added a singer and a horn section. Their self-titled debut album in 1990 garnered attention in the U.S. and was reissued in 1991 with vocals from N’Dea Davenport, who became a prominent frontwoman for the group. The band evolved their sound to include hip-hop influences after being inspired by rappers like MC Search and Q-Tip. This fusion helped them achieve chart success with albums such as “Brother Sister” and “Shelter,” which both achieved platinum certification in the UK. Their single “Spend Some Time” reached number 2 on the Dance Music chart, showcasing their adaptability and appeal across different musical landscapes.

The group reached breakthrough success with their third album, “Brother Sister,” released in April 1994, peaking at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart and earning platinum status by the BPI. The album’s lead single, “Dream On Dreamer,” became a crossover hit, charting in the top twenty internationally and receiving an MTV Video Music Award nomination for “Best R&B Video.” Following Davenport’s initial departure in 1996, American singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett stepped in as lead vocalist, contributing to the success of their fourth album, “Shelter” (1997), which also achieved platinum certification in the UK and spawned successful singles like “Sometimes” and “You Are the Universe.” Carleen Anderson later fronted the band from 1998 to 2000, continuing the group’s legacy of evolving vocalists.

After a period of decreased mainstream visibility in the early 2000s, including being dropped by their record labels FFRR Records and Delicious Vinyl, the Brand New Heavies continued to release music independently, such as “We Won’t Stop” (2003) and “Allabouthefunk” (2004). N’Dea Davenport rejoined the band in 2005, leading to the release of “Get Used to It” in 2006. The band has consistently toured and released new material, including remix albums and live recordings. New vocalists Dawn Joseph and Angela Ricci have since contributed to the band’s ongoing musical journey. The Brand New Heavies hold a notable position in music history, having sold over 2.5 million records worldwide and being recognized as a foundational act in the acid jazz movement. In 2020, they received a nomination for a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pop Magazine Awards, underscoring their enduring influence.