Bailey’s recent release “Love My Neighbor,” screams out for help. The video itself shows images of war and rescue, conveying the message in the song’s title. His soulful voice both calming and soothing, while the video stings with grief and provocation.

The Roots

Liam Bailey, singer and songwriter, was born in Nottingham, UK in 1983 to a British mother and Jamaican father. Growing up, Bailey was influenced by his parents’ taste in music, the forerunner to his own old-school sound. It should be noted that he was essentially discovered by the late Amy Winehouse as they both share a similar style and sound.

Though he is now known for his soulful R&B sound, Liam came on to the scene as part of a hip-hop group, 1st Blood, in the early 2000s. He later broadened his horizons and formed part of The Accidental, a folk collective. After branching out on his own, he released two EPs with Lioness Records, Winehouse’s label. “2am Rough Tracks” and “So, Down Cold,” both released in 2010, helped him gain exposure in the UK.

In 2011, Liam released “It’s Not The Same,” on Polydor Records, which led to more international tours and collaborations with several artists. Even though he was part of these collaborations in the years after, he did not release his debut album until August 2014. In “Definitely Now,” he exhibits his unique sound, blending R&B, blues, jazz, alternative, and Reggae all fused together in his debonair voice.

More recently, in December 2016, Bailey released a new single and video, “Love My Neighbour.”

The Musical Influence

Liam Bailey’s influences date back to the music he heard in his home growing up. His parents’ collection consisted of Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, and Jimi Hendrix.

The Sound

Bailey’s recent release “Love My Neighbor,” screams out for help. The video itself shows images of war and rescue, conveying the message in the song’s title. His soulful voice both calming and soothing, while the video stings with grief and provocation.

“Soon Come,” a collab between Shy FX and Bailey exposes his roots and culture. The video shot in the midday sun around what appears to be friends and/or fans loving on the song’s Reggae chords and message that things will turn around, with a sound reminiscent of the vocals of the late great Dennis Brown.

Liam sings:

“Cause it Soon Come
The Light of the Sun
It Soon Come
Thing That We Want
It Soon Come
Anything You Might Desire
It Soon Come”

The Road

Link Up Liam Bailey