The Brand New Heavies

Biography

The Brand New Heavies are an English band formed in 1985, consisting of Simon Bartholomew, Andrew Levy, and Jan Kincaid. After the addition of N'Dea Davenport in 1990, the group experienced mainstream success and pioneered a new genre called acid jazz.
The Brand New Heavies released their debut self-titled album in June 1990. The album was reissued in 1991 with newly recorded vocals by American singer-songwriter N'Dea Davenport, a new addition to the lineup. The album's singles "Never Stop×Never Stop23 September 1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Never Stop (extended remix)6:542Never Stop (remix dub)5:203Never Stop (instrumental)5:334Never Stop (remix - single edit)3:565Never Stop (extended)5:406Never Stop (Heavy Beats mix)5:467Never Stop (O.G. single edit)4:05", "Dream Come True×Dream Come True1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracksA1Dream Come True (extended)4:52A2Dream Come True (instrumental)4:52A3Dream Come True (single)3:54B1Gimmie One of Those3:42B2Dream Come True (Strip Down version)4:52", and "Don't Let It Go to Your Head×Don't Let It Go to Your Head1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Don't Let It Go to Your Head3:282Keep It Coming6:033Bonafied Funk4:204Wake Me When I'm Dead3:40" became a success with the latter two charting in UK Top 25. Their breakthrough success came with the release of their third album Brother Sister×Brother Sister1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Have a Good Time3:122Brother Sister4:483Dream On Dreamer4:014Ten Ton Take3:295Mind Trips5:496Fake4:347Spend Some Time4:258Los Burritos1:099Back to Love4:3810Snake Hips2:0411Keep Together4:2212People Giving Love5:0613Forever5:1114Day Break5:26 in April 1994, which peaked at number 4 on UK Albums Chart and became certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The album's lead single "Dream On Dreamer×Dream On Dreamer1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Dream On Dreamer (Dallas Austin remix)4:512Dream On Dreamer (Dallas Austin remix instrumental)4:503Dream On Dreamer (Morales remix)7:314Dream On Dreamer (Morales remix reprise)4:375Dream On Dreamer (Heavies mix)4:536Dream On Dreamer (Heavies mix instrumental)4:537Snake Hips2:068Dream On Dreamer (The Angel remix)5:569Dream On Dreamer (The Angel remix instrumental)5:55" charted in the top 20 in several different countries, including peaking at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. Davenport departed from the group and was replaced with American singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett. The group released their fourth album Shelter×Shelter13 May 1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1I Like It3:372Sometimes4:003Shelter5:024You Are the Universe4:115Crying Water4:176Day by Day4:427Feels Like Right4:218Highest High4:289Stay Gone4:5610You've Got a Friend3:0911Once Is Twice Enough3:5912After Forever5:2313Last to Know4:25 in April 1997 to commercial success, achieved another certified platinum album by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Garrett departed from the group in 1998 and was replaced by Carleen Anderson.
After Anderson's departure in 2000, the group experienced a decline in mainstream popularity after being fronted by several session singers before Davenport's return in 2006. The group released Get Used to It in June 2006, followed by their live album Live in London×Live In London8 October 2008 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Introduction2:282People Get Ready1:533BNH4:454All Fired Up4:055Never Stop5:316Dream On Dreamer2:387Midnight At The Oasis3:368Sometimes3:389Back To Love3:1910Sex God4:1511I Don't Know Why (I Love You)4:4712Ride In The Sky3:2213Day Break4:53Disc 21Brother Sister5:432Jump And Move4:283Let's Do It Again4:244Spend Some Time5:205You Are The Universe5:046Forever5:227Stay This Way5:368Dream Come True9:02 in 2009. In April 2013, they released their album Forward×Forward5 May 2013 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Forward4:022Sunlight (Full Length Heavies mix)6:593Do You Remember4:024On the One4:575A Little Funk in Your Pocket3:306Addicted4:077Lifestyle3:458Itziné4:279The Way It Goes3:2410Lights4:1111Turn the Music Up4:3312Heaven4:1113Spice of Life5:1114One More for the Road6:13, an album featuring vocals by Davenport and new addition Dawn Joseph. The group hired Dawn Joseph as their featured vocalist, ultimately releasing Davenport from the group. Following the release of the album Sweet Freaks×Sweet Freaks24 October 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Sweet Freeek4:522Sledgehammer3:453In the Name of Love3:304Bring the Rain3:565'95 Tonight4:246Pleased to Meet Ya3:307Get On3:048We Live for the Summer4:139Self Portrait3:4710You Are the Fire3:4911Don't Let Go4:48 (2014), Joseph and Jan Kincaid departed from the group. Sulene Fleming toured with the group from 2016 to 2018, before being replaced with Angela Ricci.
The Brand New Heavies have sold over 2.5 million records worldwide and regarded as one of the leading bands in the genre of acid jazz.

1985–1990: Formation and early years

In 1985, Simon Bartholomew, Jan Kincaid, and Andrew Levy formed a band originally called Brother International. The band recorded a demo which was played at a nightclub called The Cat in the Hat. After the demo received positive feedback in the club, the band was booked to perform at the club. In 1987, Brother International opened for James Brown at a concert at Wembley Arena. Shortly after their brief stint with Brown, the group changed their name to The Brand New Heavies, inspired by one of Brown's honorific titles "Minister of New Super Heavy Funk". In June 1988, The Brand New Heavies released a single titled "Got to Give" on Cooltempo Records. In 1989, the group moved to Eddie Piller's Acid Jazz Records and developed a new genre of music called acid jazz.
In mid-1989, The Brand New Heavies released their second single "People Get Ready". The group added female vocalist Jaye Ella Ruth to the lineup and began recording their first album. On 1 June 1990, The Brand New Heavies released their debut self-titled album. The album's lead single "Dream Come True×Dream Come True1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracksA1Dream Come True (extended)4:52A2Dream Come True (instrumental)4:52A3Dream Come True (single)3:54B1Gimmie One of Those3:42B2Dream Come True (Strip Down version)4:52" peaked at number sixty-three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Ruth departed from the group shortly after the release of single.

1991–1999: Breakthrough success and lineup changes

At the recommendation of their record label, American singer N'Dea Davenport was added to the lineup in 1990. The group re-recorded and released their first album on Delicious Vinyl with lead vocals by Davenport in 1991. The album peaked at number twenty-four on the UK Albums Chart and earned a silver-certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The group reissued their singles; "Dream Come True×Dream Come True1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracksA1Dream Come True (extended)4:52A2Dream Come True (instrumental)4:52A3Dream Come True (single)3:54B1Gimmie One of Those3:42B2Dream Come True (Strip Down version)4:52", "Stay This Way×Stay This Way1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks01Stay This Way (The Heavy Mix)6:0502Stay This Way (The Morales Mix)6:0403Stay This Way (The Heavy Dub)4:3104Stay This Way (The Instrumental)4:1105Stay This Way (The Club Mix)6:1106Stay This Way (The Club Dub)6:1207Stay This Way (The Lunar Dub)5:2708Stay This Way (The Eclipse)2:20", and "Don't Let It Go to Your Head×Don't Let It Go to Your Head1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Don't Let It Go to Your Head3:282Keep It Coming6:033Bonafied Funk4:204Wake Me When I'm Dead3:40", all of which peaked in the top forty on the UK Singles Chart. The success of the album invited the group to perform on Soul Train, Showtime at the Apollo, and Top of the Pops. Their follow-up album Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1 was released in 1992.
In March 1994, they released their third album Brother Sister×Brother Sister1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Have a Good Time3:122Brother Sister4:483Dream On Dreamer4:014Ten Ton Take3:295Mind Trips5:496Fake4:347Spend Some Time4:258Los Burritos1:099Back to Love4:3810Snake Hips2:0411Keep Together4:2212People Giving Love5:0613Forever5:1114Day Break5:26. Brother Sister peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart and earned platinum-certification by the BPI. The album spawned the single "Dream On Dreamer×Dream On Dreamer1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Dream On Dreamer (Dallas Austin remix)4:512Dream On Dreamer (Dallas Austin remix instrumental)4:503Dream On Dreamer (Morales remix)7:314Dream On Dreamer (Morales remix reprise)4:375Dream On Dreamer (Heavies mix)4:536Dream On Dreamer (Heavies mix instrumental)4:537Snake Hips2:068Dream On Dreamer (The Angel remix)5:569Dream On Dreamer (The Angel remix instrumental)5:55" which became crossover hit, peaking within the top twenty on several international music charts. The music video of "Dream On Dreamer" also received a MTV Video Music Award nomination for "Best R&B Video". The album's follow-up singles "Back to Love×Back To Love1999 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Back to Love4:072Back to Love (Opez radio edit)4:063Back to Love (Opez club version)6:334Baby Don't Use Me5:12" and a cover version of "Midnight at the Oasis×Midnight at the Oasis10 September 1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Midnight at the Oasis (radio version)3:482Midnight at the Oasis (extended version)4:563Midnight at the Oasis (Opaz 7" version)3:454Midnight at the Oasis (Roger's Brand New radio Anthem)4:36" peaked in the top thirty on the UK Singles chart. At the Brit Awards in 1995, the group received a nomination for "British Dance Act". Davenport left the group due to irreconcilable differences in 1996 and was replaced with American singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett.

In April 1997, the group's third Shelter was released. Like its predecessor, the album peaked in the top five on the UK Albums Chart and platinum-certification by the BPI. The album's lead single "Sometimes×Sometimes31 March 1997 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Sometimes (radio edit)4:302Sometimes (The Ummah remix)4:423Sometimes (Notre Dame remix)4:404Sometimes (MAW Smoothe mix)6:405Sometimes (Downtempo mix radio)3:35" peaked at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart and earned silver-certification by the BPI. The album's follow-up singles "You Are the Universe×You Are the Universe1997 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1You Are The Universe3:422Back To Love4:113Stay This Way3:484Dream On Dreamer3:35" and "You've Got a Friend" charted in the top twenty-five; with the latter peaking at number nine.
In 1998, Garrett departed from the group to continue her songwriting career. She was replaced by American singer Carleen Anderson. In the same year, they released a song called "More Love" which featured on the soundtrack to the comedy-drama film Sliding Doors. Anderson recorded a few songs with the group, most notably "Saturday Nite×Saturday Nite30 August 1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Saturday Nite (radio edit)4:022Swinging Big Tom4:223Saturday Nite (Til the Sun Comes Up)8:15" and a re-recorded version of her song "Apparently Nothin'", which appeared on the group's compilation album Trunk Funk – The Best of The Brand New Heavies in September 1999. The album received silver-certification from the BPI. In 2000, Anderson departed from the group to record her third solo album.

2000–2004: Declined success

In 2000, the group experienced a decline in mainstream popularity. They were dropped from their record deal with FFRR Records and Delicious Vinyl. In 2003, they released their fifth studio album titled We Won't Stop×We Won't Stop24 February 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Intro1:052Party5:193Don’t Call Me Foolish3:594Respect3:535What Do You Take Me For?3:476We Won’t Stop4:257Bling Bling3:458The Rhythm Is...4:549Love Is...4:0710Music3:3811Do You Wanna Fly?3:5612Rise4:14 on Canyon International. The album failed to reach the success of their previous albums. The group returned to the studio to record another album. During the recording of their upcoming album, they were introduced to Nicole Russo by their management. Russo was invited to write and record on the album and soon became their featured vocalist. Their follow-up album Allabouthefunk×ALLABOUTHEFUNKOctober 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Boogie3:522Need Some More3:323Waste My Time3:304Keep On Shining4:215What Do You Take Me For?4:356Surrender3:487Many Rivers To Cross3:328How Do You Think3:499Every Time We Turn It Up3:4210How We Do This3:39 was independently released in October 2004. The album yielded two singles; "Boogie×Boogie2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Boogie (street version)3:392Boogie (Taan version)3:413Boogie (album version)3:524Boogie (Blacksmith R&B dub)4:435Boogie (Eric Kupper remix)7:116Boogie (The Andrew Love Levy Bathroom dub)6:427Boogie (a cappella)3:29" and "Surrender" which failed to reach the top forty on UK Singles Chart.

2005–2013: Davenport's return

In 2005, Davenport accepted the group's invitation to rejoin the group. The group also reunited with Delicious Vinyl and began recording their forthcoming album in London. In June 2006, the group released their seventh album Get Used to It×Get Used to It27 June 2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1We've Got4:432I Don't Know Why (I Love You)3:313Get Used to It3:264Sex God4:545Let's Do It Again5:096We Won't Stop4:087Right On4:068Music3:359I Just Realized4:3510All Fired Up4:1211Love Is4:1512I've Been Touched4:11. The album's lead single was a cover version of Stevie Wonder's song "I Don't Know Why (I Love You)×I Don't Know Why (I Love You)30 April 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1I Don't Know Why (I Love You) (Tom Moulton mix)3:332I Don't Know Why (I Love You) (4 Hero Electric Soul mix)4:593I Don't Know Why (I Love You) (Kenny Dope dub)4:344I Don't Know Why (I Love You) (Kenny Dope instrumental)7:31", which peaked at number twelve on the UK R&B Singles chart. The group headlined their concert tour from 2006 to 2008. They released two remix albums titled Elephantitis: The Funk + House Remixes (2007) and Elephantitis: The Funk + House Remixes 2 (2009). In October 2009, they released a live album titled Live in London×Live In London8 October 2008 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Introduction2:282People Get Ready1:533BNH4:454All Fired Up4:055Never Stop5:316Dream On Dreamer2:387Midnight At The Oasis3:368Sometimes3:389Back To Love3:1910Sex God4:1511I Don't Know Why (I Love You)4:4712Ride In The Sky3:2213Day Break4:53Disc 21Brother Sister5:432Jump And Move4:283Let's Do It Again4:244Spend Some Time5:205You Are The Universe5:046Forever5:227Stay This Way5:368Dream Come True9:02, which features their concert performance at The O2 Arena on 16 October 2008, in London.
In November 2011, The Brand New Heavies released a instrumental album called Dunk Your Trunk×Dunk Your Trunk23 April 2012 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1School's Out3:512Milf Shake2:443Sunset Star2:364High Rollin'2:265Dunk Your Funk2:216Big Girls Don't Cry2:517Soho Strut2:398Montecarlo Mist2:129Cafe Luxe3:4610Trip Wire3:1911Fruit Cake1:5812Fancy Pants3:2313Play Away2:59. In April 2013, The Brand New Heavies released their album Forward×Forward5 May 2013 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Forward4:022Sunlight (Full Length Heavies mix)6:593Do You Remember4:024On the One4:575A Little Funk in Your Pocket3:306Addicted4:077Lifestyle3:458Itziné4:279The Way It Goes3:2410Lights4:1111Turn the Music Up4:3312Heaven4:1113Spice of Life5:1114One More for the Road6:13. The album featured lead vocals by Davenport and new addition Dawn Joseph. Davenport however was not invited back to finish recording on the album and when the group released "Sunlight" (which features Davenport's vocals) as the album's lead single, Davenport was not featured in the music video. The group toured during the latter part of 2013, often using concert flyers with Davenport's image to market the tour. In a statement issued from Davenport's Facebook, she announced that she was not invited to rejoin the group on their concert tours and any shows marketed with her likeness would not include her. On 10 October 2013, The Brand New Heavies released a statement on their website stating that Dawn Joseph had officially joined the band as their full-time lead vocalist.

2014–present: Subsequent releases

In October 2014, The Brand New Heavies released their ninth studio album Sweet Freaks×Sweet Freaks24 October 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Sweet Freeek4:522Sledgehammer3:453In the Name of Love3:304Bring the Rain3:565'95 Tonight4:246Pleased to Meet Ya3:307Get On3:048We Live for the Summer4:139Self Portrait3:4710You Are the Fire3:4911Don't Let Go4:48, with Dawn Joseph on lead vocals. Jan Kincaid and Dawn Joseph both left The Brand New Heavies in late 2015. In June 2016, Davenport briefly re-joined the band for a two-month tour and left again in August 2016. In July 2016, Sulene Fleming joined and toured with the group until 2018. In November 2018, the band started touring with Angela Ricci on vocals. In April 2019, The Brand New Heavies released "Getaway", a previously recorded unreleased song which featured N'Dea Davenport on vocals. The group released their studio album, TBNH, on 6 September 2019 on Acid Jazz Records. The album features unreleased songs recorded with Davenport, Siedah Garrett, Angie Stone, Beverley Knight, Angela Ricci, Jack Knight, Honey Larochelle, and Laville. In July 2024, The Brand New Heavies announced their plans to release a deluxe edition of their album Brother Sister×Brother Sister1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Have a Good Time3:122Brother Sister4:483Dream On Dreamer4:014Ten Ton Take3:295Mind Trips5:496Fake4:347Spend Some Time4:258Los Burritos1:099Back to Love4:3810Snake Hips2:0411Keep Together4:2212People Giving Love5:0613Forever5:1114Day Break5:26 titled Brother Sister 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. The group also announced their upcoming Brother Sister 30 UK Tour with Ricci as their featured vocalist.

Legacy

The Brand New Heavies have been considered as one of the defining bands of the acid jazz, a genre mixture of jazz, funk, and hip-hop music. The group have sold over 2.5 million records worldwide. In 2020, the group was nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award at the third annual Pop Magazine Awards.
In April 2021, an art exhibition called Brand New Heavies was curated by Racquel Chevremont and Mickalene Thomas. The exhibition featured the work of artists Abigail DeVille, Xaviera Simmons, and Rosa-Johan Uddoh. The curators also chose the name as the featured artists considered themselves the "New Heavies" of the artworld. The exhibition opened at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York City on April 2.