Biography of The Brand New Heavies

As one of the leading "acid-jazz" groups who emerged during the '90s, the Brand New Heavies attracted substantial attention on both sides of the Atlantic for their sometimes clever, sometimes cool mix of quasi-sophisticated vocals, jazz backing, and samples. The London band began in the mid-'80s with drummer/keyboardist Jan Kincaid, percussionist/guitarist Lascelles, guitarist Simon Bartholomew, bassist/keyboardist Andrew Levy, saxophonist Mike Smith, trumpeter Paul Dias, saxophonist/keyboardist Jim Wellman, and vocalist Jay Ella Ruth. They were active on what was then called the "rare groove" circuit, playing funk and soul. They became the Brand New Heavies in the late '80s, cutting the single "Got to Give" for the Cooltempo label. They switched to the Acid Jazz label and style in 1990. Their 1991 debut for Delicious Vinyl/Island did moderately well, but they gained even more exposure (despite generating lackluster sales) with Heavy Rhyme Experience: Vol 1, a 1992 record that paired them with several hip-hop groups and big-name rappers. The guest list included Main Source, Gang Starr, Grand Puba, Master Ace, Kool G. Rap, Black Sheep, Ed O.G., Tiger, The Pharcyde, and Jamalski. Vocalist N'Dea Davenport was a contributor to Jazzmatazz, a similar all-star jazz/hip-hop set produced by Gang Starr's Guru. Brand New Heavies released their third album, Brother Sister, in 1994; Shelter followed in 1997. ~ Ron Wynn