Weekend Players: The UK's Soulful House Pioneers

Weekend Players are a British electronic music group known for blending deep house grooves with soulful vocals and live instrumentation. Formed in the early 2000s, the group achieved notable success with their debut album, which spawned several club hits and solidified their place in the UK's house music scene.

Early career

The Weekend Players project was formed around the core duo of producer John Johnson and vocalist Rachel Foster in London. Their initial foray into music came with the 2001 single "I'll Be There," which garnered attention on the burgeoning UK deep house circuit for its organic, jazzy feel.

Breakthrough

The group's breakthrough arrived in 2003 with the release of their debut album, Pursuit of Happiness, on the influential Defected Records label. The album's lead single, "Into the Sun," became a staple on radio and in clubs, charting in the UK and helping the album achieve strong sales.

Key tracks

Into the Sun — This sun-drenched single was the group's biggest commercial hit, receiving heavy radio rotation and defining their signature sound.

I'll Be There — Their debut single established their blueprint of soulful vocals over deep, jazzy house production.

Angel — A deeper, more atmospheric track from their debut album that showcased their versatility and songwriting depth.

Jericho — This track highlighted their ability to craft instrumental house music with a sophisticated, cinematic edge.

The momentum from their debut led to remix work for other artists and consistent touring. They followed up with their second album, 21st Century Tourists, in 2005, which continued their exploration of soul-infused electronic music.

While the group's output slowed in the later 2000s, their music has endured. Their tracks remain sought-after in the house music community, often featured in compilations and played by DJs who champion the classic UK deep house sound.

Fans of Weekend Players' blend of smooth vocals and melodic house should also explore Freemasons, another UK act known for vocal house anthems. The sophisticated production of Knee Deep shares a similar jazzy, instrumental approach to house music. Listeners may also enjoy the soulful depth of Copyright, who also emerged from the UK's Defected Records stable. For a more recent take on the style, check out Artful Dodger, pioneers of the UK garage scene which heavily influenced the Weekend Players' sound.

Weekend Players' catalog is a regular feature on a variety of radio formats, from dedicated deep house and classic dance music stations to broader electronic music streams. Their timeless productions fit perfectly into sets that celebrate the early 2000s house music era.

You can hear the distinctive soulful house sound of Weekend Players on radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their classic tracks and similar artists across our network of electronic and dance music stations.