Gary Barlow teams up with Michael Bublé and Sebastián Yatra On new special collaboration ‘Elita‘
‘Elita’ is the first track from one of Britain’s most successful music stars Gary Barlow, whose forthcoming solo album ‘Music Played By Humans’ is due for release on Friday, 27th November, and features special guest collaborations from Barry Manilow, James Corden, Chilly Gonzales and many more.
The new collaboration ‘Elita‘ is a song about witnessing the power of Women – “that’s really at the core of this track” said Gary. Brimming with energy, ‘Elita’ is a perfect mix of salsa infused pop that seamlessly blends the trio’s three different vocal styles together.
Thoughts of a collaboration began in November. “Originally it was just the two of us”, commented Gary, “but then Michael said he knew this amazing talent that would be perfect for the song. Within an hour we were all on the phone and when Sebastián sent the track back, we were just thrilled. He has this amazing charisma – it just sounded so authentic.”
“We had an opportunity’ said Michael. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a pop song which had three individuals, all coming together. I thought it was cool as it molded different cultures, and aspects of music and who we’ve all been inspired by and I thought it was a really perfect mix. The song is exciting, it’s sexy – empowering”.
“I still can’t believe that I’m in a song with Gary Barlow and Michael Bublé” said Sebastián. “We’ve done this all remotely, but strangely it feels like we’re three lifelong friends. These guys are pure heart and talent. I can’t wait to keep learning from their advice, example and friendship in this whole process and future projects! We really hope that you guys love Elita as much as us!”
‘Music Played By Humans’ is Gary’s first solo album since 2013’s double platinum-selling ‘Since I Saw You Last.’ The album is an ode to the sounds of Gary’s childhood, the orchestral and big band music which captured his imagination and eventually led to this album of original compositions. Recorded with a full 80-piece orchestra, ‘Music Played By Humans’ blends a multitude of eclectic sounds and styles to deliver one of the most exciting albums of the year.
The album leads with the Latin inspired single ‘Elita’ featuring Michael Bublé and Colombian star Sebastián Yatra and also features collaborations with stars from around the world including James Corden, Barry Manilow, Chilly Gonzales, Alesha Dixon, Beverley Knight, Ibrahim Maalouf and Avishai Cohen.
“My ambition when we started this album,” said Gary, “was to create something really bright, a celebration of music and the wonderful musicians we have in the UK and around the world. Some of it is recorded with an orchestra, some with quartets, a Latin band, and some of the tracks have jazz and big band sections – it really is music played by people, hence the title of the album – Music Played By Humans.”
Gary wanted to bring together a group of musicians and collaborators, some perhaps a surprise to his audience, in an album brimming with flavor, emotion, and a big, beautiful sound.
“This is the first album I’ve made that’s really given me the opportunity to collaborate with this caliber of musicians on my songs, and they’re all so different in their own right. ‘Elita’ began as a duet with Michael until he suggested bringing Sebastián onto the record and that gave the song a whole new dynamic. ‘The Kind Of Friend I Need’ with Corden was just fun to record from the beginning – it’s a warm, good-humored, funny song that really celebrates British humor – in a northern way!”
“Looking back, little did I realize how poignant this album would be in a time now that orchestras can’t sit in a room together. We finished our last session 2 weeks before lockdown and when I listen to the album now, it brings back some great memories. We have some of the best musicians in the world in
