SML Presents - Stone Foundation

8-piece Soul band Stone Foundation released their eleventh studio album, in March 2025 through 100% Records.

Reflecting their commitment to physical formats - the band have had 17 consecutive Top 10 entries on the UK Vinyl Singles chart. In 2023, the band celebrated 25 years of success with the release of the retrospective anthology 'Standing In The Light'.

The new material is reflective of the confidence within the band, who cannot wait for the fans to hear all the new material, and indeed to play it live. Neil Jones says: "With 'Cut Me Loose' we wondered what it would be like to mix Talking Heads, Fela Kuti and Disco. The addition of the Prince of Burundi JP Bimeni on vocals was the cherry on top of a very funky cake. Neil Sheasby added, "'Cut Me Loose' was something we worked up fairly quickly once we had found the groove, it kind of puts me in mind of those early 80's Rolling Stones movers like 'Dance (pt1)' or 'Emotional Rescue'. Like off kilter disco!"

Of the track 'Summer Song' Neil Sheasby said, "Sometimes you just capture the spirit of what you are searching for in a song first time and that was pretty much the case with this one. Most of what you hear is from the initial demo. We had Omar in mind for this as soon as it came together, thankfully he liked it and agreed to collaborate on it, he brings the magic and lights the tune up". Neil Jones added, "This was a tune we based on a studio groove myself, Sheas and Dom had recorded. We wanted the vocal to fit the jazzy laid back hip hop feel of the track and Omar's voice fits that vibe perfectly.

Neil Jones says of 'The Revival of Survival', "I think this is our funkiest to date. We wanted to push the sound to a different place with elements of disco, funk and house, and lyrically retain the optimism you find on a Stone Foundation record. It's a joyous uplifting record that deserves to be played loud out on the dance floor". Neil Sheasby agreed, "I feel like the whole record has a club vibe to it, it's bookended by a couple of almost ambient moments but on the whole it's a dancer! It feels very cohesive and concise.We were quite mindful to create a more contemporary and modern sounding album. We certainly captured the mood and spirit of our intentions and I think it'll be a whole load of fun(k) to perform live too".

Pete Williams is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Known for his work with Dexys Midnight Runners, The Bureau and These Tender Virtues.

Born to Black Country parents just inside a new decade, Pete went to school, had a paper round, dreamed and played clarinet. At age 14 he bought a bass guitar and was soon playing in various bands appearing in social clubs around the industrial West Midlands.

Four years later he was invited by an old school friend to join a “new wave soul group” as yet unnamed, which later became DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS. Their first release"Dance Stance"was. issued on Bernie Rhodes Oddball label and soon after they were invited to support THE SPECIALS on the first 2TONE tour.

After recording “Searching For The Young Soul Rebels” (an album considered by many to be one of the best debut LPs by any UK band) and garnering a U.K. No1 single with “Geno”, extensive touring and many festival appearances followed.
Pete left Dexys Midnight Runners  in Zurich at the end of an exhausting trans-European tour; returned to England and formed THE BUREAU.

THE BUREAU had top ten singles “Only For Sheep” and “Let Him Have It” in Australia and Canada, and toured Europe and the U.S. with The Pretenders. Their eponymous album was left inexplicably unreleased and overlooked in the U.K. They disbanded in 1983. (“The Bureau” finally saw the light of day with a release in 2005).

After a short siesta Pete, as vocalist, hoofer, raconteur and front-man, formed THESE TENDER VIRTUES with Fred Skidmore. Some called them “The Vicars of Vaudeville”, others “Dickensian nutters”. 
These boys, with hearts like the afternoon; completely and wilfully out of step with the mid 80s trends, gigged extensively and toured Britain.
The E.P. “The Continuing Saga” and a single “Waltz” were released through Cartel/Rough Trade, but after almost a decade of continual recording, rehearsing and touring, Pete called it a day for THESE TENDER VIRTUES.

2003 saw the reformation of DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS and Pete taking centre stage alongside KEVIN ROWLAND on the critically acclaimed tour of the UK and Europe “To Stop The Burning”. “Pete has a glorious voice” reported Dave Simpson for The Guardian.

After a short power nap a fortuitous meeting took place on a canal towpath with bassist Al Gare (IMELDA MAY) and drummer Dean Beresford (RICHARD HAWLEY). The seed was sown and BASEHART was formed. 

With the line up bolstered by pianist Danny McCormack (ROY WOOD); trombonist Paul Taylor (SNOWBOY) and Tender Virtue Fred Skidmore the band went from strength to strength, delivering blisteringly memorable live shows along the way.

2012 sees PETE WILLIAMS dropping any band name and releasing the long-awaited debut solo album “SEE”. Featuring all the aforementioned musicians the album also has a stunning guest appearance by RICHARD HAWLEY on guitar

Running in parallel to this, Pete and Mick Talbot were asked by Kevin Rowland to work on demo tracks, that they later recorded as the critically acclaimed 2012 album  'One Day I'm Going To Soar '.  As the newly named DEXYS, a live show was developed and toured extensively, culminating in headlining the acoustic stage at 2014 Glastonbury Festival

Between February and August 2014 , with the help of PLEDGE MUSIC , Pete returned to Sheffield to record his second solo album at TESLA STUDIOS , Sheaf Bank.  Alongside Dean Beresford and Shez Sheridan, with guest appearances from  Mick Talbot, Clive Mellor, Fred Skidmore, Danny McCormack and Josie Lawrence .   Produced by Mike Timm and engineered by David Glover

..ROUGHNECKS AND ROUSTABOUTS  was released  30th March 2015  .... H.O.L.L.A.N.D. was released to critical acclaim in Oct 2018. Pete and his incredible band were invited as ' very special guests' by Charlie and Craig Read (The Proclaimers) on their 32 date U.K. TOUR IN 2018 and also by The Specials on their sold out 2021 Protest Songs tour..2023 Sees Pete continue to tour and record.. the saga continues....