Acid Jazz Records presents Nick Manasseh and David Hill’s Soul Revivers On The Grove. An ambitious and passionate collaboration project, it features musicians spanning seven decades, including Jamaican legends: Ernest Raglin, Ken Boothe, Earl 16 and Devon Russell; alongside contemporary artists, including jazz trumpeter Ms. Maurice (known for her work Kokoroko and Nubya Garcia), and vocalist Alexia Coley. The roots of Soul Revivers lie in film. In late 2017, David was asked to act as music and creative consultant for Idris Elba’s Yardie. David and Nick’s subsequent productions for the film provided the spark for what would become a series of 7” singles and eventually the album.
On The Grove was produced at Yard Studios, under the Westway, below the charred hulk of Grenfell. It is a journey through the moodier side of reggae, and a progression in the ever evolving, yet timeless nature of the music. It is also a tribute to its long connection to West London, and in particular Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill. This is distilled in the sleeve itself, which features Charlie Phillips’ photograph of Lepke (founder of Dread Broadcasting Platform) setting up for the Notting Hill Carnival in the late ‘70s. Alongside the featured artists, there are stellar performances throughout, from some of London’s most talented musicians, completing the next chapter in the musical mythology of West London reggae.