Melé Releases Debut Album ‘Alive On Arrival’ on Defected Records

Melé has spent a decade and a half building up to this one. His debut album, Alive On Arrival, is out now via Defected Records, pulling house, hip-hop, soul and R&B into a 14-track record with plenty of company.

Defected feels like the perfect home for the occasion. His history with the imprint includes 2018’s “Pasilda,” “Take Control” with Clementine Douglas and “Deep Inside Of Me,” produced alongside Bob Sinclar and A-Trak. This time, he has a full album to show us what he's made of.

Produced between London, Miami and his hometown of Liverpool, Alive On Arrival draws on influences including Jungle, The Neptunes, Gorillaz and Masters At Work. The title comes from one of Inspectah Deck’s lines from the Wu-Tang Clan anthem “C.R.E.A.M.”

The guest list gives a good indication of where Melé’s ears have taken him. IRAH brings the grit to the house heater “Body Move,” while Jords taps into the producer’s love of hip-hop on “Protect Your Peace Interlude.” Lex Amor’s syrupy vocals drip across “Soul Flower (Move Like Me),” and Roland Clark joins him on the percussion-heavy “Wait A Minute.” Elsewhere, Reek0, Marla Kether, Bontan, K.O.G, RIA and Wonky Logic round out the cast.

“It’s been 15 years as Melé, but I’m still alive and feel like I’ve got so much more to give,” he says. He’s also been looking back at the road here, sharing his musical journey in a recent Instagram post.

From first hearing The Prodigy as a child to his breakthrough Boiler Room set, launching Club Bad and now releasing his debut album, Melé’s journey has been driven by a restless appetite for music – and Alive On Arrival lets us hear just how far it’s taken him.

Get it on Beatport.