Episode 1

Joining Jools on the first show are Blur, making a welcome return to the show after an absence of 15 years. They perform a number of tracks from upcoming album The Magic Whip, their first new LP in 16 years as a four-piece, which began recording during an unscheduled touring break in Hong Kong back in 2013.

Also returning to the show is English singer-songwriter Laura Marling whose fifth album Short Movie sees her move into a more electric direction and is inspired by her ongoing voyage of discovery.

London foursome the Vaccines return with songs from their soon-to-be-released third album, the David Fridmann-produced English Graffiti. From Mali, Songhoy Blues are a young desert blues punk band whose influences have been described as ranging from Malian greats such as Ali Farka Toure and Baba Salah to Hendrix and R&B. They are performing a couple of tunes from their debut, Music In Exile, produced by Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fame.

From Richmond, Virginia, is Natalie Prass, whose self-titled debut album is full of slow-burning soul music and lovesick harmonies and was highly acclaimed on its release at the beginning of the year. Minnesota's jazz blues quartet Davina and the Vagabonds are also in the studio, with a tune or two from their recent Sunshine album.

Completing the line-up is singer-songwriter and member of Soft Cell Marc Almond, who joins Jools at the piano for a chat.