Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Melody Gardot has released her much-awaited fifth album Sunset in the Blue.
Described as “an orchestral celebration of her jazz roots,” Sunset in the Blue finds Gardot reuniting with Grammy-winning producer Larry Klein, arranger and composer Vince Mendoza, and legendary engineer Al Schmitt. Gardot enlisted guest musicians from around the world.
The album was the first to be recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios after the U.K. emerged from its COVID-19 lockdown.
The Latin-tinged lead single Little Something was written by guitarist Dominic Miller and features Sting.
“During these complicated times, collaboration is the only saving grace for us musicians,” Gardot said. “While I recognize it is a big switch from my usual musical genre, I loved having the chance to challenge myself with something new. That’s what music is all about.”
Gardot made the best of Europe’s lockdown by collaborating with a large number of recently unemployed musicians from around the world in order to form a “digital orchestra” for her single From Paris With Love.
The musicians were paid a standard U.K. studio rate, while Gardot and Decca donated their royalties to Protégé Ton Soignant, a charity helping French healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunset in the Blue is out Oct. 23 via Decca.