Jaki Graham (Image: SUPPLIED)
Eighties pop legends Johnny Hates Jazz have joined forces with celebrated R&B singer Jaki Graham to record Soul Believer – a sophisticated new feel-good single that pays tribute to the glories of three decades of soul music. The lyrics of the song, released today, are built almost entirely from the titles of classic soul records from the 1960s to the 1980s. Nearly 30 iconic songs are referenced and woven into the verses and chorus. Surrey born Johnny Hates Jazz singer-songwriter Clark Datchler, 61, recruited Birmingham-born soul sensation and former Celebrity MasterChef contender Jaki, 69, to add her vibrant, emotionally resonant vocals as they celebrate “the enduring place black American music holds in people’s lives – it’s a love letter to the genre.”
The stars recorded the song in March. Clark said of Jaki, “It was such a pleasure to spend time with someone whose wonderful voice is equalled by her generous spirit.” It is “about holding on to hope when the world gives you every reason not to.”
Clark wrote Soul Believer with Hamish Stuart, 76, founder member of 70s blue-eyed soul combo the Average White Band whose huge hits included Pick Up The Pieces and Let’s Go Round Again.
Clark and Jaki are also launching a 12-part music and culture podcast series called Soul Believers, where they will celebrate and explore the enduring appeal of the genre, and perform acoustic renditions of some of its most revered classic songs. The duo, currently rehearsing for a special live performance at Circuit Club, Kingston-upon-Thames, tonight, are promising a mix of “polished pop and timeless soul energy”
Their podcast, also launched this week, explores the songs, artists and stories that shaped soul music from Sixties Motown and Stax on. Each episode closes with an intimate, stripped-back piano-and-vocal performance from Jaki and Clark, reinterpreting one of the songs referenced in the episode.
Next year, Johnny Hates Jazz celebrate the 40th anniversary of their seminal global hit Shattered Dreams with the release of a double album of the same name. The compilation will bring together the band’s most beloved songs from the late 1980s through to the present day, alongside four brand new tracks, the first of which is Soul Believer. And Jaki will join them on a 2027 UK tour, Shattered Dreams – The Tour, which will draw on the extensive catalogues of both artists.
Johnny Hates Jazz first broke big with the multi-platinum debut album Turn Back the Clock which topped the UK Albums Chart in 1988, sold more than four million copies worldwide, and achieved triple-platinum status.. Formed in 1986 by Datchler, Mike Nocito, and the late Calvin Hayes, JHJ’s run of late 80s hits included I Don’t Want to Be a Hero, Turn Back the Clock (featuring Calvin’s then-girlfriend Kim Wilde on backing vocals), Heart of Gold, and Don’t Say It’s Love. Released in 1987, Shattered Dreams became a worldwide top 5 hit, reaching No. 2 in both the US and Japan. Jaki Graham notched up a string of chart hits including Set Me Free and Could It Be I’m Falling in Love. Graham has also lent her vocals to releases by other artists, including UB40 and Kim Wilde. Her 1994 cover of Ain’t Nobody became a huge hit, topping the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart for five weeks.
JHJ split at the height of their success before reuniting in 2010.
Jaki said: “We’ve always had a mutual respect and admiration for each other as artists and when I first met him I thought what a lovely man. We had a lot in common, including our love of soul music. One chat led to another, we got in the studio together and from there Clark said do you fancy joining us on Soul Believer and how could I say no!
“I grew up on soul, blues, jazz and reggae as it was always playing at home. The fact my husband of 50 years wooed me with Tamla Motown records when we were at school cements the music that much more in my heart and when you consider what the lyrics of Soul Believer are made up of, makes it that much more special.
“I’m just glad we’ve finally managed to hook up and I’m a firm believer in everything for a reason. To be doing the podcast together too, well, this man’s stuck with me now!!
“What I love so much about the song is the feel good factor and nostalgia it brings to everyone and hopefully opens up some of the classics to a new generation. It’s a summer song for everyone.
