What Is It We Need? (feat. Alice Russell)

First Word Records is very proud to bring you new music from Amanda Whiting, featuring the vocals of Alice Russell on 'What Is It We Need?'.

Amanda Whiting is a highly-acclaimed Welsh harpist & composer. A virtuoso in her field, this classically trained musician has established herself in recent years as an essential player in the UK jazz scene.

Over the past few years, she's had the support of radio stations & tastemakers such as BBC Radio 2 (Jamie Cullum), BBC 6 Music (Cerys Matthews). BBC Radio 3 (Soweto Kinch), Selector Radio (Sian Eleri), NTS Radio (Patrick Forge), FiP (Laurent Garnier), Soho Radio (Tina Edwards) and across Jazz FM, who also nominated her for 'Instrumentalist of the Year'.

Amanda joined the roster of Worldwide Award-winning independent London-based label First Word Records in late 2023, initially via a collaborative project with Don Leisure on 'Beyond The Midnight Sun', as well as a feature on his Welsh Music Prize nominated project 'Shaboo Strikes Back'.

She followed the 'Liminality of Her' record late last year with a divine album of seasonal favourites, from Bill Evans to Vince Guaraldi, on 'A Christmas Cwtch'.

Amanda's 2024 album 'The Liminality of Her' featured in Spotify's 'Best UK Jazz of 2024' and received glowing reviews in Mojo, Jazzwise, Somewhere Soul, Bandcamp, Clash, AllMusic, Harp Column, Apple Music and HHV, to name a few, along with numerous 'Album of the Year' nods and various other accolades, garnering praise critically and publicly.

Amanda has previously performed, toured and collaborated with a wildly eclectic set of artists, including Matthew Halsall, Rebecca Vasmant, DJ Yoda, Gizmo Varillas and Chip Wickham, whilst previously releasing three solo albums on Jazzman Records, and a remix project for the Albert's Favourites imprint.

She's performed with her own trio at numerous festivals across Europe, including We Out Here, and had headline shows at The Jazz Cafe and Hootananny in London, with an upcoming show at the legendary Ronnie Scott's in June 2025.

Featured vocalist Alice Russell is a stalwart in the UK's soul & jazz scene. Accomplished and adored, she's been a leading light in the British music industry for a few decades. Signed to beloved Brighton imprint Tru Thoughts, Alice has collaborated previously with the likes of Quantic and Mr Scruff, and counts David Byrne, Dennis Coffey & Daddy G amongst her fanbase. An absolute powerhouse of a performer, here she lends her incredible vocal talents to this epic piece of downtempo ethereal fusion from Whiting and her equally accomplished trio.

This is the first track taken from an all-new EP from Amanda Whiting produced by Adam Scrimshire, entitled 'Can You See Me Now?', due for release on vinyl & digital in early June 2025.

'What Is It We Need?' is available digitally on Weds May 7th 2025.