When touring for her debut album "Is Your Love Big Enough?" came to a close, Lianne La Havas headed to Jamaica with her mother for a long-awaited holiday that evolved into an experience of self-discovery. She enjoyed emotional reunions with long-lost relatives; embraced Kingston's clubs; and even jammed in front of her family for the first time during a session with legendary dancehall/reggae producer Stephen McGregor. Exploring her roots inspired La Havas's writing. Lyrically, she says, the songs she wrote are almost all related to "the feeling of who you are and where you come from". And musically, La Havas took inspiration from Jamaica's love of grooves, rhythms, and syncopation. McGregor ultimately joined in the making of Blood along with a rich collection of others, including Adele/FKA twigs collaborator Paul Epworth and Matt Hales of Aqualung.

"Round Nina" is a tribute to Nina Simone. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21 st , 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina, Nina Simone led several lives, drifting wherever she triumphed or foundered in her dreams of becoming Clara Haskil, Katherine Dunham, or an American Miriam Makeba, perhaps. Maria Callas, too. While Nina lived, she never tasted the recognition that was offered to her models. Too wild. Bared. Unstable. Agressive.