The Brand New Heavies
A pioneer of acid jazz, the British band has been masterfully blending jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop for over 40 years, creating an irresistibly danceable repertoire.
Simon Bartholomew (vocals, guitar) and Andrew Levy (bass, keyboards), the band’s founding members, were joined in 2018 by singer Angela Ricci.
Formed in 1985 in Ealing, a suburb west of London, The Brand New Heavies quickly became one of the leading figures of acid jazz—a genre born in London clubs, where jazz, funk, and hip-hop blend over repetitive lines tailored for the dance floor.
Initially an instrumental group, the collective found its vocal identity in the early 1990s with the arrival of singer N’Dea Davenport, who helped propel the band to international fame.
“Dream On Dreamer,” “Midnight at the Oasis,” “Back to Love,” “Spend Some Time,” “Highest High,” and “You Are the Universe”… these are just a few of the iconic hits in their powerfully groovy repertoire.
After a self-titled debut album in 1990 that helped popularize acid jazz, *Brother Sister*—certified platinum in the United Kingdom in 1994—finally cemented the group’s place at the top.
With nearly three million albums sold, a constant presence on the radio, and numerous appearances on British and international charts, the band has left a lasting mark on the history of British music.
Simon Bartholomew and Andrew Levy continue the adventure today alongside Angela Ricci, with her deep, radiant voice. Following their last studio album, *TBNH*, in 2019, the cult band released the compilation *Never Stop... The Best Of* in 2023—a collection of their greatest hits.
With a career spanning more than 40 years, The Brand New Heavies set the dance floor ablaze for their fans with their infectious energy.
GoGo Penguin
At the intersection of jazz and electronic music, the Manchester trio is releasing its latest album, *Necessary Fictions*.
Associated with nu jazz or new urban jazz—also known as electronic jazz—pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka, and drummer Jon Scott are part of a new generation of artists who blend traditional instruments with synthetic sounds.
To date, the British group has released seven studio albums, as well as a remix compilation (GGP/RMX) and a live album (From the North).
Describing GoGo Penguin, The Guardian magazine calls their music hypnotic, “driven by pulsating drum rhythms with junglist accents, sinuous bass lines, and a growing arsenal of digital manipulations worthy of Brian Eno.”
With the album *Necessary Fictions*, released in June 2025, the musicians take their exploration even further, featuring modular synthesizers, the Moog Grandmother, and electric bass. In their tracks, they seek out the “essential and authentic qualities of this precise moment”.
Sincere and powerful, *Necessary Fictions* brings together their most daring compositions to date, blending acoustic instrumentation with drum-driven electronica.
GoGo Penguin will perform on stage at the Monte-Carlo Opera House with British-Ugandan singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko as a special guest.
