Jamiroquai’s rhythm section feature on Philippa Healey’s tribute to tired mums, ‘I Used To Be Fun’

“Philippa is so refreshingly adventurous with harmony, melody, and rhythm.” – Paul Turner – Jamiroquai – bass

Highly acclaimed Philippa Healey unveils a cheeky tribute to tired mums everywhere on tongue in cheek future funk classic ‘I Used to Be Fun’.

Giving Prince and Stevie a firm nod, London singer Miss Healey, alongside legendary guests from Jamiroquai, combine a sophisticated and seductive sound on this highly relatable cut which pays homage to the struggles of long-term relationships.

Philippa’s masterful vocal phrasing – which ranges from girlish breathlessness to an impassioned belt – perfectly portrays the paradox of the song’s narrative; a frazzled mother determined to seduce, and therefore overcome her own exhaustion, if only just for one night. Hilarious lines like, “If it all gets too familiar, I’ll picture Milo Ventimiglia” conjure memories of Victoria Wood’s live piano classic, ‘Ballad of Barry & Freda (Let’s Do It)’.

However, Philippa, brings her canned heat under a heavy influence of 70s, 80s and 90s jazz funk. Philippa Healey is what some might class a musician’s musician, though we suspect the public will soon become aware of this new genie in a bottle. Highly revered among her peers, an Oxford University music graduate & West End leading lady who started life as a classical pianist and opera singer at the highly competitive Chetham’s School Of Music, Philippa developed – not only as a singer and pianist – but also composer & arranger who was lured by the chance to star in the West End’s record-breaking London production of ‘Les Miserables’. Philippa went on to develop her own Vegas-style cabaret show and has headlined relentlessly all over the globe for the world’s most luxurious cruise lines.

As she enters this new phase in her musical journey she returns to original composition and her true passion of soul and funk, and in 2024 has begun to release her own music with a little help from the Jamiroquai rhythm section, which is where you’ll note the irrepressible sounds of Rob Harris (guitar), Paul Turner (bass), and Derrick McKenzie (drums); a.k.a the “Dream Team Of Funk” (as lovingly nicknamed by Philippa herself.) Honourable mention also goes to Hammond organ whizz-kid Liam Dunachie, a staunch favourite on the London jazz circuit, who delivers exquisite voice leading and additional harmonic colours. To quote Miss Healey: “The track was already sounding sublime in the studio…and then Liam just came in, and sprinkled magic fairy dust all over it in about 5 minutes flat. The Jamiroquai lads and I were in awe!”

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