TAKE CARE
After a Decade of Reinventing UK Garage Live, The House & Garage Orchestra Launch Their Original Recording Era with Grammy-Nominated Syleena Johnson
New single “Take Care” released Friday 4 September 2025 on all major streaming platforms
For almost a decade, The House & Garage Orchestra has redefined how UK garage is experienced live, transforming one of Britain’s most influential musical genres into a spectacular orchestral concert experience. Through sold-out headline shows, major festival appearances and collaborations with many of the scene’s most celebrated artists, the orchestra has introduced the sound of UK garage to audiences far beyond the dancefloor.
Now, the collective begins an exciting new chapter.
On Friday 4 September 2025, Shy Cookie, The House & Garage Orchestra and Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter Syleena Johnson release “Take Care” the first in a new series of original recordings that marks the beginning of the orchestra’s evolution from reimagining dance classics to creating an entirely original catalogue.
Best known for her acclaimed solo career and her Grammy-nominated performance on Kanye West’s multi-platinum hit “All Falls Down,” Syleena Johnson brings her unmistakable soul, warmth and emotional depth to Take Care, creating a powerful transatlantic collaboration that unites the rich traditions of American soul with the unmistakable sound of UK garage.
Blending the emotional depth of classic soul with the rich musicality of The House & Garage Orchestra’s signature live sound, Take Care delivers an uplifting anthem centred around resilience, compassion and human connection.
The song was written by award-winning songwriter Gemma Fox, one of the UK’s most respected contemporary writers whose career spans more than two decades. A MOBO Award nominee and Urban Music Award winner, Gemma first came to prominence with her breakthrough single Girlfriend’s Story before establishing herself as one of the UK’s defining voices across R&B, UK garage, bassline and grime. Since then, she has collaborated with Grammy-winning producers, amassed more than 10 million streams, earned 128 chart entries, and built a reputation as one of Britain’s most accomplished topline writers. Take Care marks the first release from her role as the official songwriter for The House & Garage Orchestra, signalling the beginning of an exciting new era of original music for the collective.
Produced by Shy Cookie, one of the pioneering architects of UK garage, Take Care continues the work of an artist whose influence has helped shape the genre for more than 25 years. Best known as the producer behind many of DJ Luck & MC Neat’s biggest records, Shy Cookie played a pivotal role in evolving the duo’s sound from sample-based productions to original compositions and live instrumentation. His production work contributed to some of UK garage’s defining releases, including the Island Records album It’s All Good and the hit single Irie, while his own productions including underground favourites such as Poison, Burning and Troublesome earned him widespread respect across both the underground and mainstream scenes.
Today, as co-founder, producer and Musical Director of The House & Garage Orchestra, Shy Cookie continues to push the genre forward by combining orchestral musicianship with contemporary production, creating a sound that bridges the energy of UK garage with the sophistication of live performance.
“We’ve always believed dance music can carry real emotion. Take Care is about looking after one another, finding hope in difficult moments and creating music that genuinely means something. Bringing Syleena’s voice into that world elevated the song beyond anything we imagined.”
Ishmael Hamilton, Co-Founder, Manager, The House & Garage Orchestra
“Working with The House & Garage Orchestra was such a natural collaboration. There’s so much heart in what they create, and Take Care is one of those songs that reminds you why music connects people across cultures and generations.”
Syleena Johnson
“I’ve always believed the best records stand the test of time because they’re built on great songs, real musicianship and honest emotion. Take Care brings all of those elements together. It honours the roots of UK garage while showing just how far the music can evolve.”
Shy Cookie
”Take Care was written from a place of empathy, hope and genuine human connection. Hearing it brought to life by The House & Garage Orchestra, Shy Cookie and Syleena Johnson has been incredibly rewarding. I hope listeners find comfort, strength and joy in it.”
Gemma Fox
A New Chapter Begins
Take Care is not simply the release of a new single.
It is the opening chapter of a long-term recording project that will see The House & Garage Orchestrarelease a series of original records over the coming months and years, expanding their catalogue while continuing to celebrate the sound, culture and community that inspired the orchestra from the very beginning.
The release also marks the beginning of celebrations leading towards The House & Garage
