JALAPENO RECORDS
TWO DECADES OF FUNK FIRE
Izo fitzroy
Izo FitzRoy's music embodies the raw energy of gospel and blues, with dynamic performances and candid songwriting at the forefront. Her soaring harmonies and jazz-tinged keyboard work are the hallmarks of her sound, and have earned her airplay on renowned stations like BBC 6Music, BBC London, and JazzFM, as well as accolades like the FIP Selection award and NPR's "Heavy Rotation" feature. Critics have heaped praise on FitzRoy, with publications like Clash Magazine, Indie Shuffle, Mixmag, and Blues & Soul all hailing her talent.
FitzRoy's music is made for the stage, with sincere lyrics and tight, melodic grooves that translate seamlessly to live performances with her band. Instead of relying on conventional soul instrumentation, FitzRoy surrounds herself with up to nine gospel backing vocalists, creating a powerful and unique live show. Her background directing gospel choirs comes through in her recordings, as evidenced by her debut album "Skyline," which blends her gospel-style vocals and bluesy keys with vintage funk beats.
After the success of "Skyline," FitzRoy became a sought-after performer, touring across Europe and collaborating with artists like Kraak & Smaak, Smoove & Turrell, Flevans, and Dr Rubberfunk. But in 2018, nodules on her vocal chords threatened to end her career until she underwent surgery and underwent extensive vocal rehabilitation.
Her comeback was nothing short of remarkable, with her powerful range and new songs earning her even more recognition. In 2019, she was invited to participate in US songwriting camps and was funded by the PRS, who recognized her songwriting potential. The release of her second album, "How The Mighty Fall," in 2020 cemented her status as a rising star, despite the limitations posed by the pandemic.
In 2020, FitzRoy connected with L.A. producer Erik Janson, and together they created a series of soulful, rock-inspired songs that paid homage to the mid-60s and early-70s. These songs generated a surge in online support for FitzRoy, and in 2022 she teamed up with producer Oscar De Jong to work on her third album, "A Good Woman."
The album was a tour de force, her stunning vocal elegance and engaging lyrical talking points standing atop a vibrant blend of timeless soul, classic R&B and vigorous funk. The album garnered extensive airplay support from renowned stations like BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2, NPO2 (NL) and FIP (France), while Jazz FM honored it as their 'Album of the Week' and playlisted an astonishing 5 singles. Remixes by Art of Tones, Colleen Murphy, Moods and Sam Redmore kept the flame burning bright further still.