Mr Jukes

Boasting a diverse and varied sound palette made up of synth pads, eclectic sample use, pulsating R&B-infused beats, and resonant vocal work, Mr. Jukes is the solo/collaborative project of Bombay Bicycle Club’s Jack Steadman. With the band announcing they were going on indefinite hiatus in early 2016, it wasn’t long before the Bombay Bicycle Club members began exploring their own avenues of creativity and songwriting, with Steadman announcing the creation of Mr. Jukes in 2017. Exploring his love of jazz, funk, and soul, the first taste of Steadman’s project was the track “Angels/Your Love,” a collaboration with neo-soul artist BJ the Chicago Kid. Describing the horns in the track’s chorus as a representation of the “pure awe and excitement,” that the singer/songwriter experienced when exploring different ideas for the project’s debut release, he instantly knew that Mr. Jukes needed to be an all-around collaborative project as opposed to a purely solo project. Stating that the collaboration was the first for the project’s debut effort, the single went on to become BBC Radio One’s Hottest Record in the World. The following month, Mr. Jukes dropped his single “Tears,” featuring Atlanta-based R&B singer Alexandria. His debut album, God First, arrived in July 2017 via Island Records and featured appearances from fellow British singer/songwriter Lianne La Havas, American funk/soul vocalist Charles Bradley, and American soul/gospel vocalist Lalah Hathaway. ~ Rob Wacey