LOS ANGELES, Calif. (4 FEBRUARY 2025): Genre-defying acoustic guitarist Peter White wrote and produced the ten songs of hope, determination, and optimism that make up his 17th album, “Light of Day,” as an antidote to the darkness of the pandemic during which the collection was conceived. Lobster Music Inc. will release White’s first new album in six years on February 14. The new disc is tied to two other milestones in the multi-time Billboard chart-topper’s unparalleled career: his 50th anniversary as a professional musician and the 35th anniversary of the release of his debut album, “Réveillez-vous.”
White’s brand of fingerstyle guitar-led instrumental music is known for its breezy temperament, signature sound, and expressive lyricism set to soundscapes swirling pop, Latin, R&B, and jazz stylings. On “Light of Day,” White delves deeper, introspects, explores, and serves up substantive subjects for rumination.
“I was working on the album mostly during the pandemic and in many cases the songs are deeper and more introspective than some of my more recent albums. I picked the title, ‘Light of Day,’ because it reminded me that yes, we all go through challenging times, but through the darkness, there is always light and better times ahead,” said the British-born, Los Angeles-based White who plays guitar, bass, keyboards, accordion, recorder, and programming on the album.
The album opens with fervor, launching with “Catalonia,” an energizing and exotic escapade through the northeastern part of Spain that influences the first single that is now collecting playlist adds and airplay.
The international flair continues on “Cityscape,” to which trumpeter Rick Braun adds brilliant ambiance. White said the song originates from “a walk that I took through the center of London many years ago. It was a warm summer night, and the crowds seemed to melt away, leaving me to walk alone amongst the historic buildings and monuments.”
White adds sitar-like guitar to “Carefree” alongside his primary acoustic guitar voice and swatches of accordion to the track illumined by a bouncy bassline issued by David Dyson.
“David (Dyson) came up with a bass riff during a show we played together. I put it together with a melody that I had come up with many years ago but never finished as it sounded incomplete. Well, the bassline completed this song, giving it a playful, whimsical quality that was previously missing,” explained White.
The unexpected death of fellow contemporary jazz guitarist Nick Colionne in 2022 informs the heartfelt “Till I See You Again.”
“The profound loss I felt when I heard that our friend Nick Colionne had passed away inspired me to write this song as a comfort to all people who have been bereaved. We say goodbye, but with the hope that we will meet again, somehow, somewhere.”
The tempo kicks up dramatically on the careening “Overdrive,” a track crafted by White’s frequent collaborator Mike Egizi.
“Full of energy, twists, and turns, I imagine a mad dash through the countryside on four wheels with many adventures along the way. Early on we meet my old friend Marc Macisso, who climbs onboard to provide some playful harmonica runs. Later we come across Ilya Serov who plays a wonderful, haunting trumpet solo,” offered White.
Rising saxophone star Vincent Ingala features on the romantic “I Love You Still.” White said, “I wrote this song with Vincent Ingala in mind. I have been playing shows with him since he was eighteen and I knew that he would add something incredibly special to this song with his signature tenor sax playing. The song is a conversation between two people who are obviously in love but trying to work out where they both stand in the relationship.”
White explores dreams on the upbeat and optimistic “Dreaming of You.”
“I am very intrigued by dreams, as the subconscious mind takes over and creates alternate realities. Friends, lovers, and strangers appear and disappear and leave you to try and find that elusive meaning. Sometimes you find comfort in your dreams by coming across someone who you haven’t seen in a long time,” reflected White.
Clocking in at over eight minutes, the longest song the radio-friendly White has ever recorded, “Odyssey” is a sprawling adventure bolstered by the guitarist’s longtime band members, drummer Eric Valentine and bassist Nate Phillips.
“As you set out for a long journey, there is always trepidation and uncertainty. The dictionary definition of the word odyssey is a long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience. I think that is all in this song to which Eric (Valentine) and Nate (Phillips) add drama, tension, and release in all the right places.”
Two-time GRAMMY-winning saxophonist great Ernie Watts collaborated with White on “Enchanted,” a tune that the guitarist composed especially for their recording date.
“I have admired Ernie Watts and his sax playing ever since I was nineteen after I heard him play on a Lamont Dozier song back then and have been hooked ever since. Along the way, I got to know Ernie and one day asked him to record with me. I wrote this song the night before we went into the studio, and he made it come alive with his beautiful playing. He is a true saxophone legend,” said White reverently.
The title track concludes the album, which plays like an empowering overture.
“Written with my old friend, keyboardist Frank Joseph, the song speaks about hope and determination. I even played my accordion on this song to add some atmosphere. I’m always uplifted when I listen to this song. Thanks to my friend and fabulous sound engineer DC for lending his talent in the recording of this album and for lending me his mandolin, which you can hear me strumming in the background throughout this song.”
Growing up in England, White began his pro career in music not as a guitarist, but as a keyboardist for singer-songwriter Al Stewart, cowriting the folk-rocker’s iconic hit, “Time Passages.” He was a guitarist when touring the world accompanying crossover vocalist Basia, plying his acoustic guitar mystique to her hybrid Brazilian jazz meets pop hits. From sideman to genre superstar, White has topped Billboard’s album charts four times, landed four albums at No. 2, and scored seven No. 1 singles. He tops marquees at jazz festivals, cruises, theaters, and clubs worldwide, as reflected in his upcoming concert itinerary that boasts dates in South Africa, Namibia, the Netherlands, and back home in the United Kingdom as well as throughout the U.S.
White’s “Light of Day” album contains the following songs:
“Catalonia”
“Cityscape” featuring Rick Braun
“Carefree”
“Till I See You Again”
“Overdrive” featuring Ilya Serov
“I Love You Still” featuring Vincent Ingala
“Dreaming of You”
“Odyssey”
“Enchanted” featuring Ernie Watts
“Light of Day”
