Classical Soul Volume One CD

Release Date September 27, 2024

CD Edition

Alexis Ffrench’s Classical Soul Volume One is a collection of original compositions for piano and orchestra, interspersed with refreshing short snippets of popular soul anthems.

Having become one of the UK’s most unmistakable and disruptive artists, pioneering the 'Classical Soul' genre and with over a billion streams to his name, the news is accompanied by the release of his new solo piano single "The Way It Was", inspired by his late father’s record collection and recorded at Brad Pitt and Damien Quintard's renowned Miraval Studios.

Alexis brings the piano to a mass audience. Whether it is performing at the King’s Coronation Concert in 2023 to an audience of over 18 million viewers, hosting his Apple Music show after Elton John’s Rocket Hour, performing at major music festivals and sold-out venues worldwide, delivering musical education masterclasses across the country or releasing covers of current hits from Central Cee, Billie Eilish and others to an enthusiastic social media audience, Alexis is passionate about music being accessible to all.

“The Way It Was” is inspired by Alexis’ late father's record collection. In the first single, out today, Alexis takes the depth and emotion of his childhood love of soul and blends it with his flair for classical music to create a nostalgic and moving, yet timeless and uplifting song.

Of “The Way It Was”, Alexis writes: “The Way It Was is inspired by my father’s vast record collection. During my childhood, our home had a rich soundtrack of Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack - some of whom I consider my earliest teachers.

As I played the ‘imaginary’ piano on the kitchen table, to the sounds of classics such as Superstition and At Last, I would be transported to a wonderful place and felt a calling. And as I listened, I absorbed the passion, pride and purpose of these soul icons and dreamt of a parallel path, informed by the history-filled lives of these soul greats and their wider mission.

As I look back and remember the way it was, and the boundless space I was afforded to grow creatively and spiritually, I’ve come to better understand all that had been gifted to me, and the debt that I owe.

These artists, and the power of their collective voices, connected with me at the deepest part of my being and opened a door to a world of Classical Soul, and for that I am truly grateful.”


Referring to the upcoming album, Alexis adds: “So I’ve wanted to create a modern mixtape, a classical soul symphony for the 21st century. An album which aims to reframe classical history, building towering symphonic ‘Black Ivy’ pillars from the echoes of soul classics, in a majestic expression of pride, love, nostalgia, and healing elixir.”

Alexis is a pioneering Classical Soul star, with his sound refusing to be constrained by a single genre, era or expectation. Rather than leaning into the narrow and traditional concept of ‘classical’, Alexis opens outwards, with an expansive outlook, drawing on a mosaic of influences that leads the listener by the hand through a world of possibility.

“The Way It Was” is the first track from Alexis’ big year of music, and some of his most heartfelt and engaging music to date awaits in Classical Soul Volume One.