New Album Hits the Platforms April 17

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We release our debut full‑length In This World on 17 April 2026. Rooted in 70s–80s pop, soul and smooth‑jazz and built around singular, distinctive vocalists, the album follows the 2024 EP Two of Us (prod. Trevor Carter) and includes the singles “Back to California” and “Continental Girl.”

In This World collects our retro‑infused, melody‑first writing and modern studio polish. Featuring an international cast, a live brass section and voice‑forward arrangements, the record channels the warmth of Earth, Wind & Fire, George Benson and yacht‑rock sophistication while remaining radio‑ready and hook‑driven. The album blends timeless pop, smooth jazz and punchy soul: the super‑smooth vocal‑jazz‑pop treasure “Back to California,” featuring Tiara’s jazz infused vocal riffs and rich harmonies; wistful pop “Thumbelina,” sung by 19‑year‑old Jayaa; a new version of “It’s a Dream” by The Girls; Kris Nandharaj’s Benson‑like smooth‑jazz classic “New Love”; Fallon Williams’ pure, punchy soul on “Running Away”; and a remix of Jennifer Davids’ classic “Walking By Your Side,” reimagined for longtime fans and inspired by our love of the Bee Gees. Lead singles “Back to California” and “Continental Girl” set the tone; other singer‑led tracks feature vocalists from all corners of the world.

ALBUM PERSONNEL

Tiara – Featured vocals on ‘Back to California’ and ‘In this World’

Jayaa – featured vocals on ‘Thumbelina’

Luke O’Connor – Featured vocals on Continental Girl’ and  ‘Stand and Deliver’

Jennifer Davids – Featured vocals on ‘Walking By Your Side’

The Girls (Jennifer Davids and Emma Williams) – Featured vocals on ‘It’s a Dream’

Fallon Williams – Featured vocals on ‘Running Away’ and ‘We Won’t  Forget You Andy’

Kris Nandharaj – Featured guitar on ‘New Love’

Nicky Nicholls – Backing Vocals 

Trevor Carter – Accoustic & Electric Guitar, Bass Programming

Kris Nandharaj- Acoustic Guitar

Mat Creedon – Electric guitars

Darryn Farrugia – Drums and percussion 

John McAll – Piano, Keyboards and Synthesisers 

Steve Bell – Keyboards and Synthesiser 

Craig Newman – Bass Guitars

Jordan Murray – Trombone

Edward Fairlie – Trumpet 

Carlo Barbaro – Saxophone 

Executive Producers – Steve Bell & Paul Higgins

Producer, Mixing & Chief Engineer – Trevor Carter

Vocal Producers – Trevor Carter,  Steve Bell,  John Israel and Mat Creedon

Vocal Arrangements – Trevor Carter, Tiara, John Israel, Jennifer Davids and Steve Bell

Pre-production – Trevor Carter, Steve Bell, John Israel and Mat Creedon 

Music’s Arrangements – Steve Bell, Trevor Carter and John McAll

Horn Arrangements – Jordan Murray 

Assistant Producer – John McAll

All songs composed by Stephen H Bell ( Steve Bell) except ‘New Love’ composed by Stephen H Bell, John McAll and Kris Nandharaj 

All songs published by Bell Songs 2026 via DistroKid 

Published by thestevebellprojects

‘My thrill is to take relatively unknown, very unique and talented singers and compose and arrange retro songs that they record.’ Born in Melbourne, Australia, Steve Bell was brought up on seventies and eighties pop, soul and funk. He was obsessed with Earth Wind and Fire, Bee Gees, Al Jarreau, Gino Vannelli, TOTO, George Benson and, the great, David Foster. He liked class music with rich melodies - a big feature of his own writing today. While at college he played drums in numerous bands, but in his own words ‘wasn’t much chop at that’. But he did have a knack for playing piano by ear and writing ‘kind of cool’ ballads and soul songs. In his twenties he had a part-time role (on top of his day job) as a pop music critic for a local arts magazine, where he interviewed acclaimed artists from across the world. His interviews were always deep and focused on learning more and more about great songwriting and performing. Then he took a break - for over 25 years, running his company and being a family ‘guy’. However, he yearned for creative endeavours and once locked down during the COVID crisis, he started writing songs again. His first song ‘Lonely View’ was written looking out across the local bay from his composing studio and recorded using the amazing vocals of Jennifer Davids. Thus he started the journey of identifying a talented singer every few months and penning them a song with rich 70s and 80s melodies and jazz pop inspired chord structures.

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