Ahead of the June release of the astounding NINE BEATS COLLECTIVE ‘Nine Beats to the Bar’ album in conjuction with the Nine Beats team we are pleased to announce the release of FOUR singles that will be available on all digital music download and streaming sites Worldwide. From iTunes to Spotify and everywhere in between.

This is such an exciting project for Plankton Records. NINE BEATS COLLECTIVE is a collaboration of world class musicians, artists and songwriters from three continents (Europe, North America and Africa) on the trail of exploring the ancient Bible sayings known as ‘the Beatitudes’. The ‘Nine Beats to the Bar’ album is a concept album of music, spoken word and soundscapes and textures that searches for the essence of these ‘nine beats’ via an eclectic soundscape of R&B, soul, rock/pop, acoustic threads, classical, jazz/funk, African vibes and a hint of Gospel.

To highlight the enormous musical scope and variety of the album we’ve decided to release four very different singles from the album – one a week leading up to the album’s release. Each of the singles will give a different flavour of what’s to come and will also help raise awareness of the album ahead of it’s release.

The first single (released Friday 19th May) is the title track from the album. It features the beautiful haunting atmospheric vocals of Denmark’s MIKAEL R. ANDREASEN. Genre wise it is very hard to describe the single with elements of ambient rock, jazz and reggae (to name but a few!). The song also features the guitar work of the legendary guitar virtuoso CALEB QUAYE, former member of the ELTON JOHN band and HALL & OATES to name but a few.

The second single, “What Can Love Create?” (released Friday 26th May) features the amazing American singer/song-artist HEATHERLYN. This beautiful song, co-written with UK songwriter and NINE BEATS COLLECTIVE linchpin Steve Bassett, showcases her soulful honest voice and it also features a great string arrangement by DEBORAH PRITCHARD – one of the UK’s rising classical stars.

Single number three “Kosi” (released Friday 2nd June) features AMBASSADA, one of the most prominent artists on the African music scene. This song, co-written with TONY BEAN, the MOBO award winning producer of the ‘Nine Beats to the Bar’ album (he also plays multiple instruments on the album too!), has an irresistible gentle African groove and heartfelt vocals that are passionately delivered.

And last but not least comes single number four “#blessed” (released Friday 9th June) features REV VINCE ANDERSON from the USA. This song is a withering take on the Twitter/social media culture and the idea of cheap blessings all underpinned by a pounding groove that Rev Vince likes to call ‘Dirty Gospel’ – a term the Rev uses to describe both his musical style and influences and his theological perspective.

So four very different  NINE BEAT COLLECTIVE singles are on their way. We will be posting news updates as their release dates get nearer and videos are posted etc and of course we’ll be reporting on the album as well which is currently due to be released on CD and digital on June 16th with a stunning double 180gsm heavyweight vinyl version being available in early August, ahead of the NINE BEAT COLLECTIVE daily performances at Greenbelt… but that’s a whole future news article!