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Soul Mates – The Musical

High heels, higher stakes — the heartbeat of 1987 Essex!

Original Musical
Set in 1987
Essex Energy

"Break The Rules" Releases In

Get ready for the release of "Break The Rules" on July 1, 2026.
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Mark your calendar and be the first to hear the new single.

About the musical

Soul Mates

Soul Mates is a new British musical that celebrates the vibrant soul scene of the 1980s.

Soul Mates follows three aspiring stars from the heart of Essex, where nostalgia meets a bold, contemporary edge.

Watch their rise, friendship, and ambition develop as Romford’s premier soul trio brings drive, identity, and music-led storytelling to the stage.

Penned by acclaimed writer and composer David Kent, the musical marks “Break The Rules” as its first major musical statement.

A new avenue for soul

For decades, Expansion Records has stood as a definitive home for classic and contemporary soul. The creation of Expansion Select gives the label a dedicated platform for exceptional projects that share its soul ethos while exploring more vibrant, theatrical, historical, and crossover territory.

This new imprint is designed for releases that sit just outside the core Expansion sound, yet remain deeply connected to its identity, standards, and passion for authentic music.

From Expansion

“There is so much incredible music that shares our passion for soul but sits just outside the core Expansion sound. Expansion Select gives these projects the spotlight they deserve. ‘Break The Rules’ is the perfect maiden release. It’s bold, it’s authentic, and it absolutely demands to be heard.”

— Ralph Tee, Expansion

New Imprint Launch Single Announcement

Expansion Records unveils Expansion Select

The UK’s premier independent soul label opens a bold new chapter with a dedicated imprint for standout releases that stretch beyond its core sound while staying rooted in soul.

Launching the imprint is “Break The Rules”, a powerful debut single from Rochelle Sherona of The Lion King, taken from the upcoming original British musical Soul Mates by acclaimed writer and composer David Kent.

Release date
1st July, 2026
Artist
Rochelle Sherona
Label
Expansion Select
Break The Rules single cover artwork

Break The Rules

Debut release on Expansion Select

2026

  • High-octane first taste of Soul Mates
  • Inspired by the 1980s Essex Soul scene
  • West End vocal power meets UK soul roots

The sound of 1987 Essex

Neon-soaked, club-driven, and built to revive the pulse of the late-eighties soul underground.

Brassy, synth-heavy arrangements

The track authentically recreates the late-eighties club landscape with a sound world rooted in the atmosphere of venues like Lacy Lady and the Ilford Palais.

A four-on-the-floor drive

Designed to bridge the gap between dedicated soul purists and modern dance floors, the rhythm delivers energy, momentum, and crossover appeal.

West End vocal power

Rochelle Sherona brings commanding theatrical presence and emotional force, giving the single a vocal performance that is both polished and deeply rooted in UK soul feeling.