Rebecca Vasmant ft: Nadya Albertsson - Blessed (Single)
Premiered by Lauren Laverne on BBC 6Music, “Blessed feat. Nadya Albertsson” is the new single from Glasgow-based pioneering DJ-Producer Rebecca Vasmant, taken from her upcoming album ‘Who We Are, Becoming’, out 9th May via a label partnership between New Soil and Women In Jazz. The track follows “Rooted feat. Paix & Emilie Boyd” which saw support from Jamz Supernova, Gilles Peterson, Nemone, Deb Grant & Tom Ravenscroft, Craig Charles, Huey Morgan, Don Letts (BBC 6Music), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), Emma-Jean Thackray (BBC Radio 3), The Quay Sessions (BBC Radio Scotland), Tony Minvielle and China Moses (Jazz FM), FIP Radio France, The Skinny, Wordplay Magazine and beyond.
Written as a love letter to one of Rebecca’s favourite records, “Blessed feat. Nadya Albertsson” takes inspiration from the Garrick’s Fairground track “Blessed Are The Peacemakers”, by Michael Garrick and Norma Winstone. “I am so incredibly grateful to have heard this track, it has absolutely changed my life”, Rebecca explains. “I wanted to make my own version as a way to show my gratitude and love for such a beautiful piece of music”. Through the making of the track, Rebecca became pen pals with Michael Garrick’s son Gabriel, after asking for his blessing to use a sample of his dad’s piano from the original record. This has started some beautiful and deep conversations about jazz, connection, collaboration and more.
Expanding the boundaries of traditional jazz production, Vasmant leads a 25-strong ensemble of musicians on a sonic journey exploring themes of identity, equality, femininity, and self-growth. As she puts it, “This album is about becoming your true self and accepting that we’re part of something bigger.” Vasmant’s unique DIY ethos shines throughout “Who We Are Becoming”, with all vocals and instruments - apart from drums - recorded in her Glasgow flat using a single Rode microphone gifted by Soma Records’ Jim Matune. Rebecca’s process reflects her self-taught, self-funded, and self-made ethos: “I’ve always believed you don’t need fancy studios to create amazing music. My setup is basic but meaningful; I’ve built it over time and made it work.”