Single Review: iLL BLU – ‘Lonely People’ (Feat. James Morrison)
2 min read
When they started working together in the hip-hop collective G-Fam, Northwest Londoners Darius and James discovered an effortlessly compatible creative chemistry. From their friendship and shared passion for everything funky emerged the professional partnership, production duo iLL BLU. While the playful scene of UK funky eventually disappeared from its underground spotlight, the pair worked hard to remain relevant and innovative following the explosive release of funky club banger Frontline (feat. Princess Nyah) in 2008.
With an armoury of collaborations with the stars of tomorrow (Jacob Banks, Camille), and charting remixes of the biggest names of today (Jessie J, Cheryl Cole and Sam Smith), as well as three EPs under their belt, iLL BLU uncovered a talent for house. Combining their love for spirited funky, thumping bass, and hypnotic melodies, the pair has generated an intoxicating brand of house fusion. Most recently, iLL BLU have teamed up with soulful crooner James Morrison in exciting summer anthem Lonely People.
The track precedes James Morrison’s own return to music this year after withdrawing from the scene following his 2011 duet with Jessie J, Up. The producers’ first potential commercial hit marries layers of sun-kissed synths, driving percussion and bursts of spirited horns with Morrison’s distinctive warm vocal tone. Momentary pauses of just swooning guitar threaded through propulsive beats and an infectious hook, causes the track to bubble over the edge of a summer cocktail glass. Lonely People is the perfect accompaniment to this summer’s escapades at beachside parties. And for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, currently wearing more than a bikini, it will transport us to warmer dreams.
