Selected: Guy Chambers

Hannah Williams and The Affirmations

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Last Show: Thursday 11 th January 2018

PizzaExpress Live (Holborn)

For Guy Chambers' Selected series, he has hand-picked artists he has worked with and admires for a very special run of shows.

Hannah Williams & The Affirmations appear on Jay-Z much-awaited new album “4:44”, which has just came out through Roc Nation and that is exclusively available on Jay-Z’s music streaming service Tidal. The title track of the American rap super-star’s new album “4:44” is built around “Late Nights & Heartbreak” which is also the title track of Hannah Williams & The Affirmations’ latest LP, released by RK last November. The album, which comes four years after Hov’s last work “Magna Carta Holy Grail”, is produced by No I.D., already known for his works with Kanye West, Common and Jay-Z. The song “4:44” is a statement of his infidelity and aresponse to Beyoncé’s “Lemonade”. NO I.D. declared that he purposely pitched to Jay Z Hannah Williams & The Affirmations’song which is about cheating as well: “I put this sample (that) it starts off with, “I find it so hard/When I know in my heart/I’m letting you down everyday.” I remember him hearing it and looking at me like, sighing”. Quoting Jay-Z '4:44 is the crux of the album… it's such a powerful song and I just believe one of the best songs I've ever written”.

 

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"This album is brilliant!"

Jamie Cullum (BBC2)

“Late Nights & Heartbreak” has been recorded backed by her new band from Bristol “The Affirmations” at Quatermass Studio in London, the HQ of the British cult band The Heliocentrics and has been produced by legendary UK drummer Malcolm Catto, also known for his work with among the others, Mulatu, Orlando Julius, Floating Points, Quantic, Dj Shadow and Madlib.

Blessed by Sharon Jones, Hannah Williams exploded onto the soul scene with her debut album 'A Hill Of Feathers' in 2012. The first single Work it Out was an independent hit on the airwaves all over the world. From US to Australia and all around Europe, the single became beloved; to the point where it spent time as the number 1 most downloaded song in Greece. The official video has also garnered over a million views on YouTube. The story of Hannah Williams seems to be written in lore from day one. Her father was a musically gifted minister, and her mother let her join the church choir at the age of 6. Hannah could read music before she could properly read words. Now she's an unstoppable force of incredible, once-in-a-lifetime talent. After the release of A Hill of Feathers in 2012, she was catapulted all around Europe, capturing the hearts of all they met including (among others): Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Cat Power, Charles Bradley and Craig Charles. Since then Hannah has made several trips to Europe to headline festivals and stun audiences in clubs such as the Mojo in Hamburg, Magnolia in Milan and Tempo in Club Madrid.  

Hannah Williams AKA Deep Soul's Funkiest New Diva was immersed in soulful music from the day she was born. Over the past 4 years with the Tastemakers, she has demonstrated a raw, edgy, authentic vocal prowess which has pricked up the ears of soul lovers all over the world.    

The first time you hear Hannah Williams, it's a revelation. She has the kind of soulful voice that you don't hear too often - no matter the era. That powerful voice is on full display on 'Late Nights and Heartbreak' - the new album from Hannah Williams and The Affirmations.

"Hannah has a voice to be reckoned with. It's powerful and soulful” April Peavey (PRI Radio USA) 

“Hannah is a white girl with a black voice, with which she already impressed big names like Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley” Vogue (DE)

"Hannah Williams and Malcolm Catto is a musical match made in heaven" Craig Charles (BBC6) 

"A touch of sheer class!" Blues & Sould Magazine

Hannah Williams (vocals)
Hannah Nicholson (vocals)
Victoria Klewin (vocals)
Adam Holgate (guitar)
James Graham (organ)
Adam Newton (bass)
Jai Widdowson-Jones (drums)
John Pratt (baritone sax)
LIam Treasure (trombone)