Cherelle

Haunting ballads, soaring rock choruses, fearless protest anthems, ’60s-inspired vibes, and even big band swing, this album is a heartfelt celebration of love, peace, and human connection.

Something Old, Something New is more than a collection of songs, this album is a gathering of stories, friendships, and memories. It holds dreams that refused to fade and songs that insisted on being heard. Cherelle Jardine has brought them together in the hope that each song leaves the world a little kinder, and each heart a little more connected.

The album marks Cherelle’s return as a solo artist. She had been considering a new album when she remembered her recording of “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” made decades earlier at BullFrog Recording Studios and still sitting on a two-inch tape in her closet. She asked her producer, Sheldon Zaharko, whether it could be recovered and reimagined. Sheldon took the tape to Rob Darch at Hipposonic Studios in Vancouver, where Rob baked it and transferred the tracks. Having that song back gave Cherelle the spark she needed to make Something Old, Something New.

The album arrived on streaming platforms on August 22, 2026, during International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA) Awards weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. Cherelle received Bronze for International Songwriter of the Year and Silver for International Video of the Year for the album’s opening track, “It’s a Beautiful Day.”

The title Something Old, Something New could hardly be more fitting. The album weaves newly written songs together with earlier recordings, rediscovered treasures, and fresh interpretations of music that waited years—and in some cases decades—to be heard. Along the way, it celebrates the friends and collaborators who helped shape Cherelle’s musical journey.

The title track, “Something Old, Something New,” was written by the late Doug Bennett of Doug and the Slugs with Marc Gladstone, Chris Murray Driver, and Jay Wittur. The song had never been released, but hearing an early demo inspired Cherelle to bring it to listeners. Recording it gave her a chance to honour Doug and to reunite Marc, Chris, and Jay in the studio on a song they had created together. Co-produced by Marc and longtime friend and award-winning engineer Sheldon Zaharko, the recording also features Brian Poulsen on electric guitar, Tom Keenlyside on trumpet and tenor, alto, and baritone saxophones, and Jerry Cook with a slinky saxophone solo.

Several of the album’s newest songs were written and produced by Studio 17 producer/songwriter Colin Weinmaster. “It’s a Beautiful Day” bursts with joy and ’60s-inspired warmth, celebrating love and the magic of being alive. “Lay the Weapons Down” is a protest rock anthem calling on us to disarm our hate, move beyond division, and choose compassion over conflict.

“Love’s Gotta Get Louder,” co-written with Colin and Daryl Burgess, grew from Cherelle’s response to the anger and division she saw in the news. A heartfelt plea for peace, it reminds us that beyond our differences, we are “eight billion souls making a pathway home.” Its message is a battle cry for love: love has to get louder.

That song inspired Cherelle’s “Love’s Gotta Get Louder Community Challenge,” inviting people across Canada to share the positive actions they’re taking in their communities.   Cherelle hopes the challenge will continue to shine a light on Canadians whose kindness and care deserve to be seen. Details are at https://cherellejardine.ca/loves-gotta-get-louder-community-challenge.  

Completing the recordings made with Colin is “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair),” the John Phillips classic that brings a touch of peace, love, and flower-power nostalgia to the album.

“Let’s Spend the Night Together” became one of the album’s most personal recordings. The new version keeps much of the original performance while giving it fresh life. Al Harlow of Prism added electric guitar; Colin Weinmaster created new horn arrangements for Tom Keenlyside; and Marc Gladstone, also of Prism, brought his expressive keyboards and rich soundscapes to this track, as he does throughout the album. Cherelle recorded a new lead vocal and added harmonies with Marc.

Most precious of all, the original recording held the background vocals of Cherelle’s dearly departed best friend, Canadian singer-songwriter Rachel Page. Her voice survived beautifully and now blends with Cherelle’s once again, alongside the rich harmonies of Arlen Park. For Cherelle, hearing Rachel on the finished album is a gift beyond words.

The album’s title also inspired Cherelle to revisit “Sweetest Sin,” one of her favourite songs by Stone Poets, the award-winning band she continues to write and perform with. Written by Cherelle, Scott Jackson, and Marc Gladstone, the song originally appeared on Smoke and Mirrors but was never performed live. Its intimate, cinematic journey through desire, addiction, and the courage to rise from the ashes is as haunting as it is hopeful. This collection gives it another opportunity to shine.

The final chapter reaches back to The Jardines, Cherelle’s seven-piece alt-country band and musical partnership with her daughter, Ajaye. Although their album “Someone’s Stolen Tuesday” was completed, the project came to an end when Ajaye moved to Nashville to pursue her solo career. Cherelle wanted to bring three personal favourites to a new generation of listeners.

“I Want More” is a tender portrait of love, longing, and the quiet hope shared by two hearts beneath the same velvet sky. “Someone Stolen Tuesday” follows two people navigating the demands of everyday life, reminding us to treasure the time we share. “Five Years Ago” explores the exhilarating collision of love, timing, and destiny—and the ache of finding a connection that may have arrived a little too late.

Cherelle worked again with Sheldon Zaharko to preserve the heart of these recordings while refreshing them. She re-recorded lead vocals, revised portions of the lyrics, added new harmonies with Marc, and welcomed Greg Stuart on drums. The songs also retain the original performances of Douglas Liddle on electric guitar, Michael Flunkert on steel guitar, and Ricky Francisco on mandolin.

Thank you for listening, for believing, and for becoming part of the story. From here, the journey continues with you. May these songs bring you as much joy as they have brought me.

Artwork: Pamela Windeyer Photography: Keith Clark https://www.keithclarkphotography.com

This album has been such an incredible journey. From the moment I decided to put out a solo album, all the pieces just seemed to fall into place. So many people to thank, from the bottom of my heart…

To the incredible musicians who brought their creativity, artistry and unique voices to these songs: you elevated every track, adding beauty, edge and magic in all the right places. I’m deeply grateful to each and every one of you.

A very special thanks to Marc Gladstone, Chris Murray Driver and Jay Wittur.  I loved your song “Something Old, Something New” the moment I heard the demo and wanted to honour what you three, along with the late Doug Bennett, had created.  Thank you for helping me give the song new life and for laying down some truly epic parts. The song ultimately gave this record its name and became the thread that ties it all together.

Speaking of Marc Gladstone, my bandmate, soulmate and confidant: I can’t thank you enough for all you do for me.  You are an incredibly talented producer, writer and creator of the soundscapes that give these songs colour, depth and wings. Thank you for your extraordinary musicianship, your endless support and for always being beside me, in music and in life.

A special thanks to Colin Weinmaster, my friend, co-writer, performer and producer on four of these songs, whose extraordinary talent, creativity and belief in the music went far beyond producing. You brought your heart to these songs, and always went above and beyond to turn them into diamonds. And a little extra love for bringing and producing “San Francisco” along for the ride, the perfect bonus track for this journey.  Many thanks for bringing together this group of talented musicians, whose talent and artistry elevated these songs and made them world-class … Daryl Burgess, Tom Keenlyside, Tim Porter, Peter Juric, Allan Rodger, Billy Mendoza, Joani Bye, Lynda Boyd, Kim Nishikawara.  Much love to Patty Weinmaster for all the support and for being a bright light in this world.  Special thanks to Daryl Burgess for helping Colin and me bring “Love’s Gotta Get Louder” to life. So grateful for your creativity and friendship.

Much love and appreciation to Al Harlow, Jerry Cook, Brian Poulsen, Bryan Jasper for sharing your incredible talents and adding your own special magic to these songs and to Greg Stuart my Peacenik Collective bandmate, thanks for bringing the beat, the groove and the cool.

Big love to my Stone Poets family, Marc Gladstone and Scott Jackson. I’m so happy to give our smouldering gem “Sweetest Sin” another moment to shine.

I couldn’t have done this project without my award winning friend Sheldon Zaharko, producer, recording engineer, mixing and mastering engineer and all around sonic wizard. For the past decade-plus, you’ve been an invaluable part of my musical journey, bringing your incredible ears, talent and heart to all my musical projects. Once again, you made every song on this album sparkle. I’m deeply grateful for all we’ve created together, and even more grateful for our friendship. To my lovely friend Pamela Windeyer, whose extraordinary talent and beautiful artwork gave this album its visual heart: thank you for so generously sharing your art with me, and for being my artistic director, creative sounding board and one of my biggest supporters. I’m endlessly grateful for your imagination, generosity and, most of all, your friendship.

To my dear friend and photographer Keith Clark, thank you for understanding the heart of this album and creating an image that brought my vision to life and blended beautifully with Pamela’s artwork. And big love to Cindy Clark, always there with her warmth, encouragement and support. I’m so grateful to you both. With love and gratitude to my former Jardines bandmates, Ricky Francisco, Michael Flunkert, Douglas Liddle and Brian Sanheim, whose musicianship lives on in Five Years Ago, Someone’s Stolen Tuesday and I Want More, carrying a little piece of our musical history into this new chapter.

Many thanks to Rob Darch from Hipposonic Studios for bringing my 2” tape from the mid 90’s back to life.  Sheldon said you could bake it, and you did! What a joy to finally give my long-unreleased cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Let’s Spend the Night Together” a home after all these years.

And finally, to my family, friends and everyone who has supported me along the way: your love, belief and encouragement are woven into every chapter of this journey. From the deepest place in my heart, thank you for walking beside me.