David Cowles and Richard Haines Will Release Debut Album
The R&B duo will drop their studio album Memories Linger featuring archival recordings on December 4, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in R&B
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Musicians David Cowles and Richard Haines are set to release their debut studio album, Memories Linger, on December 4, 2026. The 12-track project from label Light in the Attic features recordings originally created by the duo between 1979 and 1985.
Why it matters
The album serves as a reclamation of the pair's musical legacy after their adult children encouraged them to seek control of their work. The collection includes nine previously unreleased songs pulled from a private archive of more than 150 recordings.
The album features 12 tracks, nine of which are previously unreleased recordings. These songs were mastered by John Baldwin and selected from a personal archive spanning 150 total recordings created from 1979 to 1985.
The players
David Cowles
A musician who retired from the hotel trade in 2007 and resides in Brading.
Richard Haines
A musician who worked with David Cowles to create their initial music archive.
Light in the Attic
A record label that is releasing the duo's debut album.
John Baldwin
A professional who mastered the recordings included in the new release.
The details
The album will be released on vinyl and includes a 12-page booklet to accompany the music. The duo previously signed a publishing deal with Bocu Music in 1982, and their work gained renewed attention after the song Just Can't Win appeared in the series The Shards.
Timeline
1979-1985: The duo created their original music archive.
1982: The duo signed a publishing deal with Bocu Music.
September 30, 2026: The title track was released digitally.
November 11, 2026: Just Can't Win will be released digitally.
December 4, 2026: The album Memories Linger will be released.
Industry Dynamics
This project follows the pattern set by the archival reissue trend, which frequently brings long-lost music to new audiences via specialized labels. It reflects a growing interest in preserving and modernizing independent musical legacies from the late 20th century.
Listeners can access the new material digitally starting in late 2026 before the full physical vinyl release becomes available. The inclusion of an extensive 12-page booklet provides additional context and documentation for fans of the duo's history.
The takeaway
This release demonstrates how musicians can reclaim their creative past through archival projects long after their primary career has ended. Fans are encouraged to explore early digital singles to gain a preview of the archival sound before the full album drops in December.
What happens next
The digital release of Just Can't Win is scheduled for November 11, 2026, followed by the full album release on December 4, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more about the genre in our R&B music section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Island Echo - 24hr news, 7 days a week across the Isle of Wight.
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