UK Garage Icon Wookie Returns with Some “Salt & Pepper”

His upcoming album, blending soulful melodies, jazz, and classic garage rhythms.

Wookie, the celebrated UK garage producer, has unveiled a new track, Salt & Pepper. Featuring vocals by Tom Dunne, the single masterfully blends Wookie’s signature skipping garage rhythms with ethereal synth melodies. This track is the first glimpse of his upcoming album-length project, his first in over two decades.

Set to fuse UK garage with jazz and soul influences, the forthcoming album promises to showcase Wookie’s evolution as an artist while paying homage to the genre’s rich heritage. Accompanying the release of Salt & Pepper will be remixes by rising stars P-rallel and Keanu, adding fresh takes to an already vibrant piece.

Beyond his music, Wookie appears in a new documentary delving into the legacy of Black music specialist record stores in the UK, further cementing his role as a cultural pioneer.

Who is Wookie?

Wookie, real name Jason Chue, is a cornerstone of the UK garage movement, renowned for his ability to blend soulful vocal arrangements with intricate, rhythmically complex productions. His breakthrough came in the late ’90s with hits like Battle and Scrappy, alongside unforgettable remixes such as his rework of Sia’s Little Man, which remains an anthem in the genre.

Wookie’s music encapsulates the essence of UK garage, characterised by its 2-step beats, syncopated basslines, and emotive melodies. His self-titled debut album, released in 2000, was a landmark for the genre, solidifying his reputation as a forward-thinking producer. Tracks like What’s Going On featuring Lain and Back Up (To Me) showcased his ability to fuse underground beats with mainstream appeal.

What’s Next for Wookie?

With the release of Salt & Pepper, Wookie signals his return to album-length storytelling for the first time in over 20 years. This new project promises to blend his signature UK garage sound with jazz and soul influences, reflecting his evolution as an artist and his commitment to pushing genre boundaries.

In addition to Salt & Pepper, the upcoming remixes by P-rallel and Keanu offer fresh perspectives on the track. P-rallel, a rising name in UK club culture, is known for his genre-blurring productions that combine garage, house, and hip-hop influences. Keanu, another emerging talent, has built a reputation for reimagining classic garage with a contemporary twist. These remixes are set to inject further energy into Wookie’s comeback.