Garage pioneer Wookie returns with new single, ‘Salt & Pepper’

UK garage originator Wookie has returned with a brand new single, ‘Salt & Pepper’.

The new track landed on Friday, December 6, marking his first new release in over a year following 2023’s ‘Ordinary People’ featuring RUG.

‘Salt & Pepper’ sees Wookie link up with singer and musician Tom Dunne, who provides soulful vocals over muddied basslines and classic garage breaks.

Read this next: 14 of the best UK garage mixes ever

The track marks a “rebirth” for the garage pioneer as he embarks into a new sound, promising the “first taste of a forthcoming project in the works” set to be unveiled soon. In a new direction from his original garage-focused sound, Wookie’s forthcoming project will blend jazz with soul and UKG.

Wookie has enlisted garage artists p-rallel and Keanu to remix ‘Salt & Pepper’, due to land in the coming weeks ahead of his next full-length project – which will be his first in some 25 years.

Read this next: Need for speed: Why the UK fell back in love with bassline and speed garage

Earlier this year, Wookie released the second volume of remastered originals, including classic hits such as ‘Storm’ and ‘Far East’. The EP followed ‘Vol. 1’, released earlier in 2023.

Wookie is currently performing a string of shows across the UK. Next up, he’s set to play Manchester’s new Amber’s Club, followed by a sell-out gig at London’s Jazz Cafe.

Listen to ‘Salt & Pepper’ below, and check out a list of forthcoming shows from Wookie.

Tour dates:

December 13 - Amber’s, Manchester
December 14 - Artium, Birmingham
December 20 - Jazz Cafe, London
January 1 - Rewind UK, Birmingham
February 1 - Hootananny
June 7 - Lido Festival

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter