Fans on both sides of the pond and beyond have been enraptured by young British singer Sam Smith's soulful tones since he lent his vocals to Disclosure's inexorable "Latch" way back in 2012. With the stateside release of Sam's debut album In The Lonely Hour on Tuesday, June 17, and his heart wrenching "Stay With Me" charting worldwide, let's take a look at some of Smith's friends behind his beats.Tourist
William "Tourist" Phelps has quickly risen to prominence as both a producer and live performer with a flurry of dance releases over the past two years that are both thoughtful, grooving, and primed for crossover. We're hesitant to refer to him as a DJ because, as our interview with him a few months ago mentions, his live shows are driven by stacks of synths and controllers. He co-wrote "Stay With Me" with Smith and Jimmy Napes.
A key to the album's success is the songwriting contribution of newcomer James Napier, aka Jimmy Napes. "Stay With Me" is Napes' third UK No. 1 single as a songwriter, following Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne's "Rather Be," and the Smith-featuring Naughty Boy track "La La La." In fact, Napes was a major contributor to Disclosure's sound on their world-conquering Settle which put him on the map as a key knob-twiddler in the current UK pop sound. Also, he bares a striking resemblance and taste in glasses to THUMP contributor Max Pearl, so we're the most down.Check out this track he did with Disclosure and Nile Rogers and see if you can spot his influence:
Also featured in the credits is influential, but commercially underrated producer Ben Ash, aka Two Inch Punch. He showed up on the radar as a heady post-step producer around 2010 before wandering his way through the musical landscape, racking up production credits on Lil Wayne tracks and taking on guitar duties for Little Boots. He co-produced "Money on My Mind" and "Life Support".Check out his remix of Sam Smith's "Nirvana":
Watch the Video for Disclosure's "Grab Her"
MIXED BY: Clean Bandit
William "Tourist" Phelps has quickly risen to prominence as both a producer and live performer with a flurry of dance releases over the past two years that are both thoughtful, grooving, and primed for crossover. We're hesitant to refer to him as a DJ because, as our interview with him a few months ago mentions, his live shows are driven by stacks of synths and controllers. He co-wrote "Stay With Me" with Smith and Jimmy Napes.
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Jimmy Napes
A key to the album's success is the songwriting contribution of newcomer James Napier, aka Jimmy Napes. "Stay With Me" is Napes' third UK No. 1 single as a songwriter, following Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne's "Rather Be," and the Smith-featuring Naughty Boy track "La La La." In fact, Napes was a major contributor to Disclosure's sound on their world-conquering Settle which put him on the map as a key knob-twiddler in the current UK pop sound. Also, he bares a striking resemblance and taste in glasses to THUMP contributor Max Pearl, so we're the most down.Check out this track he did with Disclosure and Nile Rogers and see if you can spot his influence:
Two Inch Punch
Also featured in the credits is influential, but commercially underrated producer Ben Ash, aka Two Inch Punch. He showed up on the radar as a heady post-step producer around 2010 before wandering his way through the musical landscape, racking up production credits on Lil Wayne tracks and taking on guitar duties for Little Boots. He co-produced "Money on My Mind" and "Life Support".Check out his remix of Sam Smith's "Nirvana":
And here's a fun fact or two! Bonus tracks on the album feature production credits by UK radio host and DJ Zane Lowe and Lorde collaborator Joel Little. As should be evident now, there's a lot more to Smith's success than a lovely voice, sad lyrics, a collection of trenchcoats and a pointy haircut…More of that UK Soul:
Watch the Video for Disclosure's "Grab Her"
MIXED BY: Clean Bandit