Jorja Smith Covers St. Germain Classic "Rose Rouge" For 'Blue Note Re:Imagined' Compilation

Jorja Smith Covers St. Germain Classic "Rose Rouge" For 'Blue Note Re:Imagined' Compilation


June 10, 2020

In celebration of iconic jazz label Blue Note, a number of musicians have come together to record cover tracks from the label's phenomenal back catalogue. Blue Note Re:Imagined arrives September 25, but ahead of that, Jorja Smith's version of "Rose Rouge" has just emerged.

The original, released in 2000 by French musician Ludovic Navarre aka St. Germain, was a rousing, energetic piece of jazz that used a sample from Marlena Shaw's Cookin With Blue Note At Montreux album to summon the fiery energy of the original jazz age. Smith's version gives it a 21st century twist by cooling things down a little and giving it a breezy and refreshing new edge.

Joining her on the compilation are Ezra Collective, Shabaka Hutchings, Nubya Garcia, Poppy Ajudha, Steam Down, Ishmael Ensemble, and Emma-Jean Thackray.

Jorja Smith said she's "honoured to be involved on this Blue Note album to rework St Germain's anthem 'Rose Rouge'. And with such an array of wonderful musicians on the album, including my brothers Ezra Collective."

Updated on July 2: the official video has now been released.



Words: James Keith
Photography: Michaela Quan


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