British pop icons Johnny Hates Jazz and celebrated soul vocalist Jaki Graham have joined forces for the first time on "Soul Believer," out August 21, 2026. Released via Revolver Records, the sophisticated track fuses polished pop sensibilities with timeless soul energy. Written by Johnny Hates Jazz singer-songwriter Clark Datchler alongside Average White Band founder Hamish Stuart, the song cleverly incorporates more than 27 classic soul titles into its lyrics, serving as an uplifting love letter to the genre.
The single launch on August 21 will be celebrated with a special joint performance at Circuit Club in Kingston-upon-Thames. To accompany the single, Datchler and Graham are launching Soul Believers, a 12-part music and culture podcast exploring the songs and artists that shaped soul music. Each episode concludes with an intimate, stripped-back piano and vocal performance from the duo, reinterpreting one of the classic songs discussed in the show.
The joint release sets the stage for major milestone celebrations in 2027, marking the 40th anniversary of Johnny Hates Jazz's global hit "Shattered Dreams." The band will mark the occasion with a double album featuring their greatest hits alongside four new tracks, including "Soul Believer." The release will be accompanied by Shattered Dreams - The Tour, a major run of live shows across the UK and beyond featuring Graham as a special guest performer.
Johnny Hates Jazz, comprising Datchler and Mike Nocito, gained international acclaim with their triple-platinum 1988 debut Turn Back the Clock, which topped the UK album charts and sold over four million copies worldwide. Graham established herself as a prominent voice in British soul during the 1980s, scoring hit singles like "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" and "Set Me Free," as well as a US dance chart-topper with her 1994 cover of "Ain't Nobody."
Before their 2027 anniversary tour, Johnny Hates Jazz will play several UK dates throughout late 2026. Following their Kingston show, the group will appear at the 80s Weekender in Blackpool on September 26, the Old Fire Station in Carlisle on October 29, and joint dates with Hue and Cry in Glasgow and Perth on October 30 and 31.
