At an East London jam In February 2020, a chance meeting with Nick Corbin (New Street Adventure, Lack of Afro, Big AC Records), sparked a songwriting partnership that would develop fruitfully over lockdown and saw Abi becoming part of the Big AC Records family. A shared love of soulful music contributed to ‘Empowered’ and the co-written ‘I Will See You Through’, recorded with producer Mitch Ayling (The Milk) at Woods Lodge Studio in Essex.
‘I Will See You Through’ became Abi’s debut single on the newly established Big AC Records, shortly followed by ‘Empowered’ and a much sought-after 7” vinyl release to go alongside it too. This debut was quickly embraced by the underground soul scene with both singles earning rave reviews and worldwide radio exposure, including plays from the likes of Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music), Robert Elms (BBC Radio London) and Kurtis Powers (The Face Radio). As well as being reviewed by Blues & Soul Magazine who rated it 10/10 - “a bouncing soul-soaked track chock full of positives, including a standout vocal from an artist on the rise.”
October 2021 saw Abi opening for the Gospel/soul singer Izo FitzRoy at Oslo, Hackney followed by a sold-out headline show at Pizza Express Live, Holborn to mark the release of ‘Don’t Follow Me’, a social commentary on misogyny which was premiered by Robert Elms alongside an interview where Abi spoke eloquently about the importance of joining the fight for gender equality. The release also attracted the attention of Mi-Soul radio who named Abi as their ‘One-To-Watch’ and playlisted the track across their station. The momentum continued when Abi was invited to perform ‘Don’t Follow Me’ live on Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends”.
2022 is another busy year for Abi, beginning with the release of her brand new single 'Stepping Out Of Your Shadow' which has been championed by the Craig Charles House Party on BBC Radio 2 and followed by a sell-out show at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho. Abi is currently on tour with the Big AC Records Soul Revue featuring Nick Corbin, Carmy Love and special guest Emma Noble. The remainder of 2022 will see more headline shows, festival appearances including most notably at Cornbury Festival, and a string of new releases.
