Written by On November 14, 2025, Aliud Records will release “It’s Never Over”, a compelling new album from British-Nigerian vocalist and songwriter Ola Onabulé, alongside the Philadelphia-based Hazelrigg Brothers, George on piano and Geoff on bass. This follows their earlier collaborations but takes a notably intimate turn, unveiling a focused small acoustic trio setting recorded live at the acoustically celebrated Sendesaal in Bremen, Germany.
The album presents a curated selection of seven of Onabulé’s original compositions, specially arranged to distill each piece to its core essence, alongside a singular, deeply considered interpretation of Prince’s classic “Condition of the Heart.” This approach reveals fresh perspectives on familiar melodies by paring down complex productions to their elemental interactions, focusing on spontaneity, dynamic interplay, and expressive nuance.
A remarkable feature of the record is its recording philosophy. Eschewing overdubbing and studio embellishments, the ensemble performed unified takes with no rehearsals beforehand, capturing the immediacy and authenticity of live interplay. Engineered by Jos Boerland, a renowned figure in immersive and high-fidelity recording, the sessions employed bespoke classical music recording techniques, emphasizing unamplified, unprocessed sound monitored naturally within a single acoustic space.
The choice of the Sendesaal is itself a point of inspiration. This historic venue, originally a purpose-built radio studio, is lauded for its warm, natural acoustic properties that lend an inviting, almost tactile quality to the sound. The trio’s decision to perform without headphones or electronic aids accentuates the room’s presence, allowing listeners to experience a sonic intimacy and transparency rare in contemporary jazz recordings.
Ola Onabulé’s three-and-a-half octave vocal range and his deeply lyrical songwriting have been integral to his sustained international reputation, with roots spanning jazz, soul, world music, and pop. His work has often addressed social and political themes, giving his music substantive narrative weight beyond aesthetic considerations. This album, presented through the lens of a pared-back acoustic setting, offers an uncluttered window into these themes — the voice and instruments communicate with clarity and directness, inviting reflection and repeated listening.
George and Geoff Hazelrigg, known not only for their command as musicians but also their expertise in audio engineering and equipment manufacturing through Hazelrigg Industries, lend their signature chamber jazz sensibility to this project. Their intuitive dialogue with Onabulé and each other fosters musical conversations underscored by subtlety and precision — qualities that the production captures unapologetically. Their collaboration brings forward complex harmonic textures balanced with rhythmic fluidity, embodying a profound respect for the music’s essence.
The compositions themselves, ranging from “Patience Endures” to “Alive Tonight” and “The Girl That She Was,” reveal the breadth of Onabulé’s songwriting over decades, revisited here through a lens that prioritizes organic gesture and emotional immediacy. “It’s Never Over,” the title track, embodies a philosophical meditation on peace and persistence, themes that have underscored much of Onabulé’s oeuvre.
The album will be offered on CD and in multiple high-resolution formats through Native DSD and in immersive audio formats as Auro3D and Dolby Atmos and of course on all major streaming platforms.
The forthcoming official launch event, slated for December 21 at the Sendesaal, promises to echo the recording’s intimate spirit to a live audience, with further tour dates anticipated.
The albums first single, the title track “It’s Never Over” is out today with the full album set to drop on the 14th of November.
You can Pre-Save the release now. More information on this release is available on the Aliud Records website.
Last modified: November 11, 2025
