The pioneering, internationally respected vocal ensemble House Gospel Choir celebrate a glorious decade with the release of the much anticipated 2nd album ‘LOVE IS THE MESSAGE’ with its uplifting, soulful, beats and bass laden focus track ‘GLOW’ featuring Rudimental and Afronaut Zu, out today (9th August) on House Gospel Choir founder and Creative Director Natalie Maddix’s new label Swear Down Music.
Following their debut at Glastonbury Festival in 2014, House Gospel Choir will release an album that stands as a testament to its enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to spreading love, joy, and positivity through the power of music. ‘LOVE IS THE MESSAGE’ is an incredible body of work, to be celebrated with an Album Launch Party on Saturday 17th August at Ton Of Brix, in Brixton, London, with HGC’s own musical director Harrsn DJing, DJ Haze and a special guest appearance from collaborators Kaleena Zanders and fromLondon.
‘GLOW’ is a banger that’s impossible not to move to. House Gospel Choir’s collective vocal power, harmonies and rousing chorus stir your body and spirit with Rudimental serving up slick production, beats and bass alongside soulful vocals from Rudimental regular-collaborator Afronaut Zu. The track is an empowering anthem to raise vibration and bring light to the shadows of self-doubt with its infectious chorus.
Piers Aggett of Rudimental said “We are so blessed to have worked with the choir and its talented members. The process was collaborative and exciting, and we think this is some of the best music we’ve made. From the message to the melodies this one is for the soul.”
Natalie Maddix said “GLOW was written during our first studio session with Rudimental and inspired by a conversation about embracing our purpose, making the most of our talents, and avoiding comparisons with others. We recognised that each of us is a force of nature, so we set out to create a track that would encourage people to push through fear, insecurity, and self-doubt. Afronaut Zu was the perfect choice for the lead vocal, and the choir’s ad-libs throughout the track perfectly embody the strength of unity. How can we be afraid of the dark if we just let our light shine? Turn up and let them see you glow! I love this record so much and am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring it to life. Love is the message.”
‘LOVE IS THE MESSAGE’ is a stunning collection of 11 tracks, comprising first two singles ‘YOU’, the uplifting soulful house tune championed by Radio 2’s Spoony, 1Xtra’s Jeremiah Asiamah and Mi-Soul, and a new sonic expression of ‘94 dance music classic ‘Dreamer’ with original artist Janice Robinson of Livin’ Joy, championed by Radio 2’s Trevor Nelson.
The album also includes inspired covers of classics; ‘Promised Land’, arguably house music’s most legendary track featuring the voice of its original creator Joe Smooth and the Sounds of Blackness 1991 essential ‘Optimistic’ with Beverley Knight lending her powerful, soulful vocals. The remainder of the album comprises original material of pure, soulful house bangers, including three more tracks produced by main collaborators Rudimental, who have created instant classic house anthems – ‘FIRE’, ‘Shall Not Be Moved’ and ‘No Better Friend’. HGC take it all the way to church to close with the rousing, anthemic title track ‘A Vow (Love Is The Message)’ and gospel ballad ‘Glory!’.
Natalie Maddix expands on the album “In a world where chaos can reign supreme, there exists a force more powerful than any other – Love. The new album is a testament to the enduring power of love and its transformative impact on lives, communities, and the world. It explores the profound need for connection and liberation found in the human voice, the unifying sound of dance music, and the universal language of love.”
House Gospel Choir was founded in 2014 by singer, songwriter, producer, creative director and visionary Natalie Maddix, initially as a 12-strong vocal group uniquely blending gospel with house music. The past ten years have been meteoric for the collective of singers, ravers and friends, who came together to create something unique, with the connection we feel when out raving, that divine, healing, unifying power, that euphoria of the dancefloor and higher vibration through song. HGC signed to Island Records in 2020 and released critically acclaimed debut album ‘RE//CHOIRED’ and debut track ‘Salvation’, which was named ‘Hottest Record’ by Radio 1’s Annie Mac and peaked at No.1 in the MusicWeek Cool Cuts Chart. The album featured reimagined house classics like Crystal Waters anthem ‘Gyspy Woman’, Disclosure’s ‘Latch’ and productions from Toddla T, Wookie, DJ Spen and Grammy winner Alex Metric.
Today, HGC can expand up to a 70-piece ensemble from a 150-strong diverse community to release music in its own right. It has featured on a plethora of hits with global stars such as Nile Rodgers (‘I Was Made For Loving You’), Rudimental (‘FWD’) and Ella Henderson (‘Risk It All’).establishing itself as one of the most in-demand ensembles in music. The choir has lit up stages at Glastonbury, Ibiza and Pride and performed across the world with some of the biggest stars in music, such as Kylie, Paolo Nutini and Lewis Capaldi.
HGC currently feature on Rudimental’s ‘Bring Me Joy’ (Acoustic version), Will Clarke’s ‘Weekend Love’ and Kaleena Zanders ‘Save Me’, they have performed at Pride in London, Birmingham and Cardiff, Chaka Khan’s Meltdown Sunday Service, BBC Radio 1 Dance X at Ibiza Rocks, Mighty Hoopla, Sam Ryder support at Dreamland Margate, and have an incredibly busy summer of live performances and festival dates lined up with Camp Bestival 28th July, Brighton Pride, Margate Soul Festival 3rd August and much more.
