Eric Bibb and Seasick Steve have joined forces for a new double A-side single, ‘Lean On The Blues’ / ‘What In The World We Gonna Do’, released on 20 November through Repute Records and Eastcote Recordings.
The collaboration brings together two distinctive American blues voices whose paths have followed remarkably similar routes. Both have spent many years living in Europe, built careers rooted in the blues and continued writing songs that address everyday life, social issues and the world around them. Yet despite knowing of each other’s work for years, the pair had never properly sat down and made music together.
That finally changed earlier this year when Bibb and Steve met at producer Martin Terefe’s London studio. The chemistry was immediate, with the pair writing two songs together and recording them the following day.
‘Just a soul thing’
For Bibb, the collaboration grew naturally from a lifetime of friendships formed through music. He first met Seasick Steve in London while Steve was working with producers Martin Terefe and Glen Scott, and the two quickly discovered just how much their respective journeys had in common.
“Both of us are Americans, living for many years in Europe, pursuing careers playing blues, touring, recording and writing our own songs, often weighing in on current affairs and social issues, and still enjoying what we do at the age of 75,” says Bibb.
Seasick Steve had admired Bibb’s work for years, but describes the pair as having been like “passing ships”. Having rarely written collaboratively during his own career, he says Bibb was exactly the kind of artist he would have chosen if given the opportunity.
“Me, I have hardly not done any writing with anyone before. Just kinda going my own road,” says Steve. “But if I coulda dream-picked someone to write and jam with, it woulda been him.”
When they finally got together, the process proved remarkably straightforward. “And then it was,” Steve adds. “We was doing it. Just a soul thing!”
Two songs in two days
The meeting produced ‘Lean On The Blues’ and ‘What In The World We Gonna Do’, written during a relaxed session at Eastcote Studios and recorded the next day. That speed is reflected in the directness of both tracks, which avoid overcomplication in favour of the stripped-back honesty that has long characterised both artists.
“On a sunny day last spring, in the relaxed atmosphere of Eastcote Studios, we easily slipped into writing mode,” says Bibb. “We recorded ’em the very next day and can’t wait to share ’em with the world!”
‘Lean On The Blues’ draws on the music that has provided a constant throughout both men’s lives, while ‘What In The World We Gonna Do’ turns towards the uncertainty of the present day. The release brings together Repute Records and Eastcote Recordings, the independent labels run by longtime friends Glen Scott and Martin Terefe respectively.
A music video was also filmed at Red Rooster in Harlem, New York, the soul food restaurant founded by Swedish-Ethiopian chef Marcus Samuelsson. For Seasick Steve, the shoot became another extension of the easy chemistry that had developed between the pair.
“I’m real proud to have recorded these two songs together,” he says.
Eric Bibb live at Ronnie Scott’s
The two songs are also expected to appear as bonus material on Bibb’s forthcoming album Live at Ronnie Scott’s, which will be released on 30 April 2027 through Repute Records.
Recorded at the legendary London jazz club, the album will be accompanied by a four-show residency at Ronnie Scott’s around the time of release. Further details of those performances are expected ahead of the album’s arrival.
The new collaboration also comes during a busy period for Seasick Steve, who recently returned with protest album The Last Season of America. He will support the record with an eight-date UK tour in March 2027, while ‘Lean On The Blues’ and ‘What In The World We Gonna Do’ are also expected to appear on future releases.
For now, though, the double A-side captures something refreshingly simple: two musicians who had spent years moving in similar circles finally finding themselves in the same room, discovering a connection and following it wherever it led.
‘Lean On The Blues’ / ‘What In The World We Gonna Do’ will be released digitally and as a double A-side 7-inch vinyl single on 20 November 2026 through Repute Records and Eastcote Recordings. Eric Bibb’s Live at Ronnie Scott’s follows on 30 April 2027.
