Copy of Cool Vibes III

From the Inside

Temple of Soul

Suffer and Swim ft Allysha Joy

ICARUS

Be My Muse (Gold Edit)

Hurray

Hurray (feat. Benjamin Epps)

License to Build is a cinematic spy-funk album inspired by the mindset of strategic operators. Drawing on iconic espionage themes, each track transforms classic spy titles into lessons about business, leadership, and calculated execution. From reading the room to recognizing opportunity, from persistence through rejection to decisive action under pressure, the album explores the discipline and intelligence required to build success in high-stakes environments. Smooth grooves, confident rhythms, and sharp lyrical concepts make License to Build a soundtrack for those who think ahead, move with precision, and execute when the moment arrives.

A View for the Kill


God made me funky.
God made me flame.
I walk in color.
I bless my name.

[Verse 1]
God made me funky, full of spice,
kind gratitude in my eyes.
Soul full, mind clear,
sharp, steady, nothing to fear.
Gold in my stride, light in my grin,
storm on the edge, deep calm within.
I move with mercy, talk with aim,
leave old weight, keep my flame.

[Pre]
I drop borrowed lies.
I keep what stays true.
I open wide.
I come through new.

[Hook]
God made me funky, rich with glow,
sweet with heat from head to soul.
Kind gratitude in my eyes,
clear blue day where shadow dies.
Soul full, mind clear,
sharp, steady, nothing to fear.
I thank, I rise, I move, I shine,
what God wrote in me, no hand rewrites.

[Verse 2]
I choose the road with living grace,
joy throws sunlight on my face.
I hold my center, loose and strong,
cut through noise, keep moving on.
My heart stays warm, my sight stays clean,
I plant good truth in everything.
No small script can shrink my size,
I step out fresh, I claim my skies.

[Pre]
I drop old static.
I keep my gold.
I walk in wonder.
I move with soul.

[Hook]
God made me funky, rich with glow,
sweet with heat from head to soul.
Kind gratitude in my eyes,
clear blue day where shadow dies.
Soul full, mind clear,
sharp, steady, nothing to fear.
I thank, I rise, I move, I shine,
what God wrote in me, no hand rewrites.

[Bridge]
I came with fire.
I came with grace.
I came with laughter on my face.
I came with peace that still cuts through.
I came alive. I came in truth.

[Final Hook]
God made me funky, full of spice,
kind gratitude in my eyes.
Soul full, mind clear,
sharp, steady, nothing to fear.
God made me funky, bold and bright,
built for joy, built for light.
I thank, I rise, I move, I shine,
this good wild life, all mine.

[Outro]
God made me funky.
God made me whole.
Light in my step.
Fire in my soul.


Funky God

I'm Thankful

Don't Joke With a Hungry Man, Pt. 1

My Favourite Letters

Mean to Me

Fast Love  (Unplugged ´96)

On the Spot

Stream/DL

David Blazer - Elemental Love (feat. Virginia Palms)

Alice Russell is natural, pure natural talent, a natural presence, a force of nature. Whether on a big stage with her 16 piece band, charming a crowd of 4000 into staying out dancing in the rain (as she did at Montreal Jazz Festival) or rocking out an intimate club set with a stripped down 6 piece band, she’s a singer who demands attention. Unfazed by taking to the spotlight after a sober Amy Winehouse or joining Roy Ayres live for ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’, there’s no wonder her powerful soul voice has attracted rave reviews from numerous national and international publications and praise from fans as diverse as Gilles Peterson, David Byrne, Dennis Coffey, Massive Attack’s Daddy G, and Groove Armada. 

Alice has also won over a whole brace of producers – lending her strong, emotional tones to releases by Mr Scruff, Quantic and Nostalgia 77, the latter pairing producing the ‘Seven Nation Army’ cover that demolished clubs for years. But following her first release 'Under The Munka Moon' it’s her records with longtime producer and bandleader TM Juke that she’s best known for. From their debut album ‘My Favourite Letters' through to 2008’s live-tinged ‘Pot Of Gold’, they have made some of the most arresting blues soul since the glory days of Aretha. 

“We’ve both got a very open approach to writing songs,” she explains of the prolific relationship. “And we both like so many different types of music whereas some people are more purist. Our influences run from Sarah Vaughan to Bach, Kate Bush to Arvo Part, and J Dilla to Alice Coltrane. We love everything from dirty, squelchy dub step to old school soul. We nudge each other in the right directions.”

The direction they’re nudging each other in right now is towards the synthesizer rack. A love of Prince’s upbeat ‘Dirty Mind’ album and tracks like ‘Controversy’ are leading to a new sound for the upcoming album.
“We’re writing and recording as we speak,” Alice exclaims. “It’s sounding like a cross between ‘My Favourite Letters’ and something much newer. Obviously my voice is there, which brings out that soulful, emotional sound, but there are a lot more synths. It’s a bit more punk electro soul. Yeah!”
If you’ve seen Alice perform live recently you might not be surprised; her December show at the Forum in London saw her take to the stage with her traditional horn section backed up with synths, while smaller gigs have showcased the pacey songs with a four piece set up that sounds rocky. As much as she loves being in the studio there’s something special about Alice let loose on an audience.

“Being on stage is more instant,” she admits, suggesting the reason why she limited herself to just three takes on each song on ‘Pot Of Gold’. “I like things when they’re quite free. In the studio it can be like when you know someone’s taking your photo. Writing in the studio is amazing but when you’re doing takes it can be a bit daunting, but also really exciting. Live you can’t take it back – you’ve got to go all out there.”

It has led to some great experiences, like when she stayed on in Japan to visit the village where the promoter was from: almost like a 50s teen movie, a deal was struck where Alice would have free reign of the hotel for her stay if she did a gig. 
“Of course we said yes,” Alice says with delight. “Babies and grandmas all turned up and there we were with a makeshift sound system thrown together out of amps and speakers. It was one of the most heart warming gigs I’ve ever done.”
Other live highlights include singing with The Roots in Philadelphia, while recording has seen her sing on Talking Heads leader David Byrne’s recent LP. Surely belting out the intensely emotional songs must get a bit tiring. Apparently not.

“It’s a great emotional release,” Alice smiles. “And sometimes makes you feel really high, especially when you’re singing the high notes. If you’re feeling rubbish and everything else feels like it’s going wrong you feel better if you have a good singsong.

"Working with a singer like Alice was something new, terrifying and ultimately amazing."
- David Byrne

"....one of Britain's best kept secrets"
- Independent

"...lush strings combined with Russell's intense, declamatory tones result in a strikingly soulful makeover..."
- Mojo

"Amy Winehouse will wish she could produce an album half as good as this....Alice is a wonderful soulful, bluesy vocalist backed by a band that's tighter than an Aberdonian during the credit crunch"
- Daily Express

"...her vocal style has a gritty power and authentically raw soulfulness..."
- Venue Magazine

"...powerful....soulful...fantastic..."
- Word Magazine

Mean to Me

Alice Russell Official

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