Vessna Scheff - JAM (Single)

“JAM” is the new single from San Francisco Bay Area-raised, Philadelphia-based singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist Vessna Scheff. The track is the second single taken from the upcoming LP ‘Never Mind the Moon’; a concept record tracking a dreamscape that takes place throughout a night at the roller-skating rink.

Inspired by the moment that inspires you to melt off the wall and glide into the rink, “JAM” evokes courage in the face of vulnerability and possibility. Playful harmonies take Vessna Scheff’s seductive R&B vocals into a groove-tinged hyperpop space. The track activates joy through play, just as can be found on the rink, as the track slides up, down, and round, before breaking into a horn-laden jazz-funk instrumental of elation. Additional intuitive instrumentation comes from Philadelphia-based band Great Time, who added synths, bass, saxophone, flute and vocals to “JAM”; “they are such amazing humans and musicians – it was a beautiful process”, Vessna adds.

‘Never Mind The Moon’ takes its name from a quote from the Questlove-directed 2021 documentary ‘Summer Of Soul’. Recalling the events of the incredible Harlem Culture Festival in 1969, a clip from the time shows a newscaster asking festival attendees about the moon landing. “Never Mind the Moon, what we need is investment in Harlem”, one attendee replies. This phrasing struck Vessna Scheff, as she considered the hopes, dreams and aspirations that are so often wrapped up in the idea of the moon. She explains, “to say ‘never mind the moon’ implies the power and love that is found right here, right infront of us. We don’t ned to go anywhere to find that – it can be found right here”.

The album took inspiration from the freedom and joy of movement Scheff found during challenging times. Through the dips and swells of the journey, alongside production from long-term collaborator Lee Clarke, the result is an iconic debut of mesmerising, era-defying sound.