Rudimental and James Arthur bring reggae vibes to the Live Lounge
The soulful D'n'B family that is Rudimental came into the Live Lounge as part of Radio 1's 50th birthday bonanza fest Live Lounge Month, and it was one of the most uplifting, fun and moving sessions yet.
What's more, they dropped a MASSIVE bit of exciting gossip when they revealed, exclusively, that they would be releasing a new album in 2018.
After confirming that their favourite feature artist (turned massive solo star in her own right) Anne-Marie would play a major part, the band's Kesi Dryden explained that the band - who have helped break the careers of everyone from MNEK to John Newman - would be showcasing more incredible fresh talent on the new record.
And some of the rising stars who will play a part on the new LP, including Bridgette Amofah, came along for the Live Lounge ride!
Follow our guide to what exactly went down, right here...
The current track: Sun Comes Up
For their current track, the Rudimental boys were joined by the velvet voiced James Arthur for their collaborative hit - and absolute tune - Sun Comes Up. What's more, it was another exclusive, because they've never played the song on radio before.
The stripped back, intense interpretation of the song gave a track more emotion than ever before. Basically, there wasn't an un-goosebumped arm in the house.
"We wanted to strip it back and bring it back to the roots of how the song started in the studio," said Kesi. "A lot of the time when we make the music, it starts with the bare minimum and the chords, and then all the production and electronic side of things comes on later. So we wanted to strip it back and show a different side to us."
The classic track: Lay It All On Me
Yes, we are now totally obsessed with the reggaed-up version of their 2015 hit with Ed Sheeran, Lay It All On Me, that Rudimental performed in the Live Lounge.
"We’ve actually revamped it inspired by the Tarrus Riley version," they said, before launching into a super fun performance that left Clara saying, "I want a rum and ginger beer now." It's that Island feeling...
The cover: Teardrops/Moving On Up
They had fifty years of incredible music to choose from when it came to picking their classic cover, and Rudimental are never ones to do things by halves. So it's perhaps no surprise that, rather than covering a single track, they decided to mash up two absolute classics - Womack & Womack's Teardrops and Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield.
"It was a big one for us and we gave it a classic Rudimental mash up, put some brass in there," they said, "It wouldn’t be Rudimental without some brass." Too right it wouldn't! Prepare to be bowled over by the levels of energy and emotion in this one. Check out Bridgette Amofah's insanely vocals vocals, too.
