Here,Alex Evans(vocals) andSteve Powell(guitar and bass) are joined bya very special guest - ex-Island Records vocalistBrooke Combe, fresh from an appearance onLater With Jools Hollandand having just supported Lionel Richieon his UK-Ireland summer tour andBenson Booneon his US tour this last month. She’s tasked herself with bringing more soul to the masses, so she’s in more than appropriate company with The Wood. A shared mission it seems.
The balmy blues chords of an electric piano open before Combe's timeless soul voice steps quietly into a willing spotlight. She’s upfront in the mix, singing to your face; yet it feels close and personal. 'Cold Fire' soothes its way toward the chorus, building around a conclave of gospel harmonies and a sultry, simmering groove.
The arrival of Alex Evans’ voice, tumbling down the registers and through the changes, comes edged with a pure soul grit. A perfect storm of gospel, soul, jazz and rock, and its real. It feels ageless, an uncut gem of a song presented in the most natural way.
This past summer, The Wood shared their funkier-than-thou version of 'Romantic Attitude'(theJohn Fitch and Associatesrare soul classic). Screaming to be heard and then shrugging it off with an insistent funk groove, Powell’s spectacular psyched-up six stringed wig-outs feature as standard, sounding like the party you really wish you’d gone to.
This EP was mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Nick Cave, Depeche Mode, Pixies. Nine Inch Nails)and produced bySteve Powell- an expert at unearthing sonic magic. He has recorded many notable artists records, includingMichael Head and The Strands, John Power,def.fo, The StairsandElla Guru, and both also produced and played guitar on the firstMichael Head and the Red Elastic Bandrecord 'Arturius Revisited' and the number one indie album'Adios Senor Pussycat'.
Rewinding a few years, Evans and Powell met while Evans was recording at hisArk Recording Studios, located amongst the imposing brick edifices of Liverpool's ancient dockland. Released in 2024, their debut'Days'album(previewed by'Let It Loose'), also involved Martin Smith and Simon James (The Coral, Shack) on brass and Jake Howden-Woodward (Nova Twins)on drums. The Wood bring rock solid grooves and melodies full of beauty, passion and genuine feeling. Creating music that is difficult to categorise yet somehow sounds familiar, they cleverly mesh soul, rock, folk and a myriad of alternative sounds in songs filled with purpose and an innate sense of release.
As of October 17, 'Cold Fire (feat. Brooke Combe)' is available everywhere online, includingBandcampandSpotify. The full EP, now availablefor pre-order, will be released on 📌October 31.
"Potent and swaggering. With solid songwriting, catchy guitar riffs and sonic hooks, the duo present a winning lesson in sonic with an “instant classic... a precious listening experience"~The Spill Magazine
"It would be no exaggeration to say that the entire album is a stunning debut effort... Grounding and soul-searching, this album is packed with raw head-turning talent"~XS Noize
The Wood
Cold Fire (feat. Brooke Combe)
Released by Riverdream Records.
Recorded & produced at Ark Recording Studios
17 October 2025
TRACK LIST
1. Cold Fire (feat. Brooke Combe) 2. Romantic Attitude 3. Hold On 4. Wait For The Sun
SINGLE CREDITS Written by Steve Powell & Alex Evans Alex Evans – vocals Steve Powell – guitar & bass Brooke Combe – vocals Jake Woodward – drums Mike Smith – organ Rob Stringer – piano Charlie Griffiths – backing vocals Clair Griffiths – backing vocals Amy Chalmers – violin Matt Phillips – cello Rachel Nicholas – viola Produced & recorded by Steve Powell
at Ark Recording Studios, Liverpool Mastered by Pete Maher Single cover graphics by Alex Evans EP cover graphics by Alex Evans & Ed Rimmer Released by Riverdream Records 2025 Artist photos byJohn Johnson Publicity byShameless Promotion PR
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