Liminal

First Word Records is very proud to present 'Liminal' - the second single from 'The Liminality of Her', a brand new 10-track album from their newest signing, Amanda Whiting; a highly-acclaimed Welsh harpist & composer.

A virtuoso in her field, this classically trained musician has quickly established herself as an essential player in the UK jazz scene, carving her own unique sound, following on from the paths forged by Ashby and Coltrane.

Amanda recently joined the First Word label roster, via a collaborative project with Don Leisure, 'Beyond The Midnight Sun', as well as a feature on his Welsh Music Prize nominated project 'Shaboo Strikes Back'.

She's previously toured extensively with her own band, as well as with Matthew Halsall, Rebecca Vasmant, DJ Yoda and Chip Wickham (who also features on this new project), whilst previously releasing three solo albums on Jazzman Records, and a remix project for Scrimshire's Albert's Favourites imprint. Along the way, there's been a nomination for 'Instrumentalist of the Year' from Jazz FM and she's garnered the support of DJs such as Radio 2's Jamie Cullum ("highly recommended") and BBC 6Music's Cerys Matthews ("my highlight of the Cheltenham Jazz festival 2023").

This new 10-track album exemplifies Amanda's talents as a performer and composer, taking in an array of hypnotising sonics from the worlds of jazz; from fusion to spiritual and beyond.

The first single 'Intertwined' received pre-release support from BBC 6 Music (New Music Fix) & BBC Introducing ('Long Track of the Week'), with early feedback on the album already well-received by Jazz FM's Tony Minvielle ("an ethereal, beat laden thing of beauty") and Robbie Vincent ("a cracking album"), additionally to more praise from Cerys Matthews, who dubbed it "extraordinary".

So to the next taste of the album. 'Liminal' is an uptempo jazz-funk tinged instrumental groove, just shy of 4-minutes.

Amanda explains the meaning behind the track…

" 'Liminal'; transitioning between spaces, occupying a position on both sides of a threshold. It's a feeling of reflection; uncertainty whilst also excited and hopeful. Not looking backwards yet held waiting patiently to move forward. The harp is often heard at these moments in films and orchestral music. The moment when one state turns to another. Life to death, awake to sleeping. It's a space we hold in time.

I wanted the track to sound questioning between sections with vistas of calm and tranquility opening out into the bigger vista."

'Liminal' is available digitally on March 8th 2024 via First Word Records.

The album 'The Liminality of Her' is to be released on vinyl & DSP's worldwide on March 22nd 2024.