Review: Last Nubian Introduces Ships Of The Pharaohs - Sun Is Rising ft. Red Bird (First Word)

First Word Records got their summer solstice spiritual jazz-soul-acid-bruk beach wear on as Last Nubian introduces us to Ships Of The Pharaohs and this single, 'Sun Is Rising ft. Red Bird! 

Nearly a year to the day that the label reeleased Georgie Sweats sophomore album 'I Swear To You' (see review HERE), here's the first glimpse into the Ships Of The Pharaohs sessions.  'Sun Is Rising' features guest vocals from Red Bird with "soaring hooks with warm synth textures, live instrumentation and a driving 140bpm pulse. Equal parts sun-soaked and dancefloor-ready, it balances the spontaneity of the group's jazz roots with the momentum of contemporary club music". 

So we've got the idea that this London-based collective are influenced by the jazz-adjacent worlds of Co-Op (see review HERE) and Afro-futuristic Sun Ra (see review HERE) plus some jazz-house stylings via Lonnie Liston Smith/Minnie Ripperton!

So as they say, "The Ships of the Pharaohs are about to set sail for what is sure to be an exciting journey ahead": perhaps they've get to the House of the Rising Sun?

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Sun Is Rising (feat Red Bird) | Ships Of The Pharaohs

Artist:  Ships Of The Pharaohs 

Title: Sun Is Rising

Release date: 18th June, 2026

Label: First Word Records 

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp