If you were anywhere near a dancefloor in the mid-nineties, you know the vibe. That snapping snare, the bassline that felt like a physical heartbeat, and a brass section so tight it could cut glass. We are talking about The Brand New Heavies. Honestly, it's wild to think they've been at it for over three decades, but here we are in 2026, and they are still selling out venues like the Eventim Apollo.
They basically invented a genre. Acid Jazz.
It wasn't just music; it was a whole mood that bridged the gap between sweaty London warehouses and the Billboard charts. While other bands from that era have faded into "Where Are They Now?" trivia, the Heavies are currently tearing through their Brother Sister 30 tour. It’s a massive celebration of the 1994 album that turned them into global superstars. You’ve probably hummed "Midnight at the Oasis" at a grocery store without even realizing who was behind that buttery groove.
The Ealing Kids Who Conquered America
The story starts in Ealing, West London, back in 1985. Just a bunch of school friends—Andrew Levy, Simon Bartholomew, and Jan Kincaid—who were obsessed with rare groove and James Brown. They started as an instrumental outfit called Brothers International. Kinda cool, but they needed a voice.
When they signed with the Acid Jazz label, they were operating on a shoestring budget. We’re talking 8,000 pounds to record an entire album. But the magic happened when they crossed the Atlantic. Delicious Vinyl, the legendary US hip-hop label, heard them and insisted they needed a powerhouse frontwoman. Enter N’Dea Davenport.
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That was the spark.
Suddenly, these London kids were the first British group since Soul II Soul to wreck the American R&B charts. "Never Stop" wasn't just a hit; it was a manifesto. It proved that white kids from the UK suburbs could actually "get" the funk. They weren't just imitating; they were innovating.
The Rotating Door of Divas
One thing that confuses casual fans is the lineup. It’s been a bit of a revolving door for vocalists. You had N’Dea Davenport, then Siedah Garrett (who co-wrote "Man in the Mirror" for Michael Jackson, no big deal), then Carleen Anderson, and later Dawn Joseph.
- N’Dea Davenport: The definitive voice. She brought the grit and the glamour.
- Siedah Garrett: Added a polished, pop-soul sheen to the Shelter era.
- Angela Ricci: The current powerhouse. She’s been touring with the band since 2018 and has totally made those classic tracks her own.
Right now, in 2026, the core remains Levy and Bartholomew. Jan Kincaid left around 2015 to start MF Robots, which was a huge shift since he was a founding member and a primary songwriter. But the "Heavies" sound is resilient. It's built into the DNA of the bass and guitar interplay.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Acid Jazz
People often think Acid Jazz was just elevator music with a slightly faster tempo. Wrong.
If you listen to Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1, you’ll hear them collaborating with Gang Starr and The Pharcyde. They were pioneers in fusing live instrumentation with hip-hop long before it was the standard. They were "organic" before that was a marketing buzzword.
Andrew Levy once mentioned in an interview that in the UK, they were often viewed as a pop act, whereas in the US, they were respected as "serious" musicians. It’s a funny distinction. You can hear that complexity in "Stay This Way." The chord progressions are sophisticated, leaning into jazz territory, but the rhythm is pure, unadulterated funk.
The Brother Sister 30 Tour: Why It's a Big Deal
The current 2026 tour isn't just a nostalgia trip. Well, maybe a little. But seeing them play the Brother Sister album in its entirety is a reminder of how well-crafted those songs are. From "Dream on Dreamer" to "Back to Love," the setlist is a masterclass in songwriting.
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They’ve got Galliano supporting them on the UK dates. For the uninitiated, Galliano released the very first single on the Acid Jazz label. It’s a full-circle moment for the London scene.
You’ve got to admire the stamina. Levy is in his mid-fifties now, still rocking sequined trousers and laying down those thunderous basslines. They recently played the Royal Albert Hall with a full orchestra, and by all accounts, it was transcendent. It’s rare for a band to maintain that level of technical precision while still making people want to lose their minds on a Tuesday night.
How to Get the Most Out of the Current Heavies Era
If you’re just getting back into them, or if you’re a new fan wondering where to start, don't just stick to the Greatest Hits.
- Check out the "TBNH" album from 2019: It features a bunch of their former vocalists (including N’Dea and Siedah) and feels like a vibrant homecoming.
- Listen to the 2024 Deluxe Remaster of Brother Sister: The production has been cleaned up for modern ears, and the extra tracks give you a peek into their creative process in the 90s.
- See them live in 2026: They are hitting Glasgow, Manchester, London, and even doing shows with Nile Rodgers & CHIC in the summer.
The reality is that "The Brand New Heavies" isn't just a band name anymore—it’s a standard of quality. In an era of programmed drums and AI-generated hooks, hearing a 10-piece band lock into a groove is a spiritual experience. They remind us that funk isn't about being perfect; it's about being "in the pocket."
To truly appreciate their impact, go back and listen to the instrumental tracks like "B.N.H." You can hear the foundation of everything that followed. The way the guitar scratches against the bass creates a tension that only human players can achieve. That’s why we’re still talking about them forty years after they first picked up their instruments in Ealing.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Secure your tickets for the remaining March 2026 UK tour dates, specifically the Manchester Opera House or the Liverpool Philharmonic shows, as they are selling out fast.
- Listen to the "Brother Sister 30th Anniversary" expanded edition on streaming platforms to hear the unreleased demos and remixes that didn't make the original 1994 cut.
- Follow Andrew Levy and Simon Bartholomew on social media for updates on their rumored upcoming studio collaborations with newer UK neo-soul artists.