Today marks exactly 30 years since the release of Jhelisa’s groundbreaking debut album Galactica Rush, and to commemorate this momentous occasion, the genre-defying songstress has released a newly remastered version of the record. Originally hailed by i-D Magazine as “A potent brew of jazz, funk, and soul, with style and substance,” Galactica Rush quickly became a cornerstone of the underground music scene and remains a highly influential work within the London music world and beyond.
Fans can listen to the newly remastered 2024 version of Galactica Rush now via Dorado Records and experience a re-digitized version of the song “Friendly Pressure” on YouTube here.
Jhelisa not only wrote and co-produced the entire album, but she also assembled a stellar collection of collaborators, including saxophonist Greg Osby on the title track “Galactica Rush” and Chaka Khan, who later covered the track “Death Of A Soul Diva.” Galactica Rush featured a unique blend of acid jazz, R&B, and funk, with standout track “Friendly Pressure” continuing to captivate new generations. Recently, a sped-up remix of the track went viral on TikTok, garnering 1.5 billion views and over 50 million streams across DSPs in 2024 alone.
The Sunship “Into The Sunshine” remix, now a TikTok sensation, has been the soundtrack for over 400,000 videos, marking the song’s viral resurgence just in time for this anniversary celebration.
Jhelisa, affectionately dubbed the “Cosmic princess of soul” by GQ, comes from a lineage of musical legends, including her aunt and uncle, Vicki Anderson and Bobby Byrd of the James Brown band. Before launching her solo career in the mid-1990s, Jhelisa honed her vocal talents in church and went on to become a sought-after vocalist for Björk, Massive Attack, and The Shamen. However, it was the creative freedom she found while working on Galactica Rush that truly defined her as an artist.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary, two limited-edition vinyl releases are set for fall 2024: Galactica Rush will be available on November 1, 2024, followed by a 12” vinyl of Friendly Pressure remixes, available on November 29, 2024. Both records are sure to be collector’s items, remastered from the original analog tapes by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios in High Res Audio, and remixed in Dolby Atmos by the legendary Jimmy Douglass.
Galactica Rush Reviews:
- “An unbelievable album” – Time Out
- “Jhelisa is a diva with a difference…A liberating experience” – The Guardian
- “The unfolding of her heart that is the forte of a true soul singer… it carries you somewhere where edges are softened but the heart beats quicker” – NME
- “A remarkable spooky, sexy record… it deserves to be massive” – MOJO
- “A potent brew of jazz, funk and soul, with style and substance” – i-D
- “An album of exquisite quality and class” – Musicweek
