FREE DOWNLOAD of The Why feat. nia andrews:
http://www.tru-thoughts.co.uk/news/mark-de-clive-lowe-the-why-free-download

Out digitally on October 3rd, “The Why” featuring nia andrews is the first single to be lifted from the upcoming ‘Renegades’ album by new Tru Thoughts signing Mark de Clive-Lowe (MdCL). The album was recently unveiled in a special feature on long-time supporter Gilles Peterson’s BBC Radio 1 show.

A perfect first taste of the LP, “The Why” introduces the energetic, pristine and soulful production of the album. Alongside MdCL’s skills on beats, bass-lines, synths and more, fellow LA-dweller nia andrews – who has performed with Janelle Monae and Common - brings earnest, honey-dipped vocals and songwriting chops. Other contributors include strings virtuoso Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (recent collaborator of Flying Lotus), whose stunning arrangements and viola playing create an epic, new school soul vibe; and sought-after players Lil’ John Roberts and Mike Feingold appear on drums and guitar, respectively.

““The Why” is about people being disconnected to the whole reason why we are here and why we are doing what we do, and the need to reconnect with it before everything falls apart”, says MdCL of the song.

The ‘Renegades’ album, out 14th November, is MdCL’s ninth solo longplayer under his own name. The album finds the producer and musician bridging a transition between two continents, having recently relocated to Los Angeles after ten years in London. Featuring a cast of guest performers from both sides of the Atlantic, including Tawiah (Warner Bros.), Sheila E. (Prince), Pino Palladino (D’Angelo/The Who) and label-mate Omar, it ranges from club cuts flavoured with soul and funk, to tech-Afrobeat and Latin twists, all orchestrated by MdCL and showcasing his ability to meld the science of beat-making with composed music.

The multi-talented MdCL has long been a first-call collaborator for a wide range of artists, and in addition to his own releases has lent his skills as producer, performer, composer and more to over 250 records by the likes of Jill Scott, Jody Watley, Leon Ware (Marvin Gaye/Michael Jackson), Dame Shirley Bassey, Sandra St. Victor (The Family Stand/Chaka Khan), and a host of others. He recently contributed his bass and keys flavours on the “Fairplay” single by Zed Bias, which is all over BBC R1 and 1Xtra.

Born in New Zealand, to New Zealand and Japanese parentage, Mark de Clive-Lowe’s love of playing the piano was kindled at age four; he soon became an accomplished jazz musician, before taking his music far beyond. An exceptional live performer, MdCL has attracted widespread acclaim for his shows which feature impromptu studio productions created onstage from scratch using drum machines, keyboards, a cappella tracks and effects, resulting in unique live remixes at each and every gig. He is also a world-class DJ.

MdCL’s current extra-curricular projects include a number of monthly LA residencies, namely CHURCH, a jazz night he runs at Angel’s in Santa Monica, featuring surprise guests; SCORED, in which he directs an improvised soundtrack project to classic films; and the house music party Bodyrock, with Sole Channel’s Alix Alvarez and Nef Nunez. Current studio projects include the Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra Big Band Project; album production for Sy Smith and Sandra St Victor; and collaborating on the new Jody Watley album.

http://www.tru-thoughts.co.uk/artists/mark-de-clive-lowe