British pop legends Johnny Hates Jazz and celebrated soul vocalist Jaki Graham have joined forces for the first time on ‘Soul Believer’, a sophisticated, feel-good single that fuses polished pop sensibility with rich, timeless soul energy. The track is released on August 21st, alongside a special live performance at Circuit Club, Kingston-upon-Thames, the same day.
‘Soul Believer’ brings together two of Britain’s most enduring musical voices for a collaboration decades in the making. Feeling like a reunion of spirits as much as voices, Johnny Hates Jazz’s melodic, songwriterly instincts wrap around Graham’s soaring, soulful delivery, each artist elevating the other. The result is a record that shimmers with warmth: sweeping hooks meet the kind of vocal conviction that only decades of lived musical history can produce.
Together, the artists bring their shared musical heritage into a contemporary setting, delivering uplifting melodies, layered harmonies, and a message of resilience and optimism throughout. Where Johnny Hates Jazz supply the polish and precision that made them global chart fixtures, Graham brings a vocal richness that has made her one of the most beloved and instantly recognisable voices to emerge from British soul.
Released on Revolver Records, ‘Soul Believer’ was written by JHJ’s singer-songwriter Clark Datchler together with Hamish Stuart, founder member of the Average White Band. Its lyrics are built almost entirely from the titles of classic soul records spanning the 1960s–1980s, with more than 27 iconic song titles woven into the verses and chorus. Collectively, they trace a story about the enduring place music holds in people’s lives — a hidden layer that turns ‘Soul Believer’ into a love letter to the genre itself.
Launching alongside the single, Soul Believers is a 12-part music and culture podcast series presented by Jaki Graham and Clark Datchler. The series explores the songs, artists and stories that shaped soul music and continue to influence popular music today. Bridging generations through conversation and guests drawn from different musical eras, Soul Believers is designed to connect with long-time music lovers while introducing younger audiences to the artistry, feeling, and humanity behind some of music’s greatest recordings. Each episode closes with an intimate, stripped-back piano-and-vocal performance from Jaki and Clark, reinterpreting one of the songs referenced within the episode.
Looking ahead to 2027, Johnny Hates Jazz will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their seminal global hit ‘Shattered Dreams’ with the release of a double album of the same name. The compilation will bring together the band’s most beloved songs from the late 1980s through to the present day, alongside four brand new tracks, the first of which is ‘Soul Believer’.
The album will be accompanied by ‘Shattered Dreams – The Tour’, taking Johnny Hates Jazz through the UK and beyond with Jaki Graham as special guest. Drawing on the extensive catalogues of both artists, the show promises unforgettable songs, emotive stories, energetic performances and plenty of audience participation.
Upcoming Live Dates
- August 21st – Circuit Club, Kingston-upon-Thames (with special guest Jaki Graham)
- 26th September – 80s Weekender, Winter Gardens, Blackpool
- 29th October – Old Fire Station, Carlisle
- 30th October – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow (with Hue and Cry)
- 31st October – Concert Hall, Perth (with Hue and Cry)
- 2027 – Shattered Dreams – The Tour (dates to be announced shortly)
About Johnny Hates Jazz
Johnny Hates Jazz is the British duo of Clark Datchler and Mike Nocito. They rose to international success in the late 1980s with a string of hit singles including ‘Shattered Dreams’, ‘I Don’t Want to Be a Hero’, ‘Turn Back the Clock’ (featuring Kim Wilde on backing vocals), ‘Heart of Gold’ and ‘Don’t Say It’s Love’. Released in 1987, ‘Shattered Dreams’ became a worldwide top 5 hit, reaching No. 2 in both the US and Japan.
Their debut album, Turn Back the Clock, topped the UK Albums Chart in 1988, sold more than four million copies worldwide and achieved triple-platinum status. ‘Shattered Dreams’ has since been played almost four million times on US radio alone.
The band split at the height of their success before reuniting in 2010. Since then they have released the albums Magnetized (2013) and Wide Awake (2020), along with a 30th Anniversary Edition of Turn Back the Clock in 2018. In 2021 they toured the UK with Level 42, and in 2024 welcomed guitarist Nic Keeble into the band’s live and creative line-up before completing a sold-out world tour.
About Jaki Graham
Midlands-based soul singer Jaki Graham established herself as one of the most popular R&B and dance artists in the UK with a string of hits in the 1980s. Among her chart entries were top ten placings for ‘Could It Be I’m Falling in Love’, ‘Round and Round’ and ‘Set Me Free’. She has also lent her vocals to releases by other artists including UB40 and Kim Wilde.
Her 1994 cover of ‘Ain’t Nobody’ became a massive club hit, topping the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart for five weeks. Her output since the 1980s has continued largely through releases in Japan, where she maintains huge popularity, and she remains a celebrated live performer, having shared stages with Michael McDonald, Al Green and Cliff Richard.