Producer Don Leisure wins Welsh Music Prize

Aly Jamal wearing a black t-shirt and blue denim jacket, and a hat. He is looking at the camera and holding the award which is white and silver. Welsh Music Prize

Speaking after ceremony, Don Leisure called the win "mind-blowing"

Maria Cassidy
BBC Wales

Don Leisure has won the Welsh Music Prize for his album Tyrchu Sain.

The Cardiff-based producer picked up the £10,000 prize for the best album at the event held at the Wales Millennium Centre on Monday evening.

Cardiff musician Pino Palladino, who has played bass guitar for The Who, Elton John and Adele, was also presented with the Welsh Music Inspiration Award

Meanwhile on Saturday, the inaugural Black Welsh Music Awards were held.

Pino Palladino wearing a white shirt, black jacket and brown trousers. He is standing on the stage with Huw Stephens. Behind him there is a screen that says 'Pino Palladino, Welsh Music Inspiration Award'. It is translated in Welsh too. Welsh Music Prize

Pino Palladino said that it "takes a team to enable my career to last this long"

Don Leisure's record, Tyrchu Sain honours the legacy of Welsh music while reframing it for a new generation.

The album sees Don Leisure, whose real name is Aly Jamal, dig through the archives of Sain Records to create new music from forgotten recordings. The word "trychu" translates as digging.

It features appearances including previous Welsh Music Prize winners Gruff Rhys and Boy Azooga's Dave Newington.

Speaking after ceremony, Don Leisure called the win "mind-blowing" and said his daughter could not wait to show it off at school.

"Making the album was a real voyage of discovery. My ethos is always 'would this song sound good as a hip hop sample?' and so much did.

"There's so much amazing Welsh music of all genres that I'm still discovering," he added.

The shortlist included Adwaith, Breichiau Hir, Buddug, Cerys Hafana, Kelly Lee Owens, KEYS, Melin Melyn, Panic Shack, Sage Todz, Siula, Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn, The Gentle Good and The Tubs.

Speaking of the the recognition of his Welsh Music Inspiration Award, Palladino said it "takes a team to enable my career to last this long and still be making music".

Over the weekend, during the Black Welsh Music Awards Lily Beau won Best New Artist while Kima Otung won Best Single.

Posting on Instagram, Lily Beau described the win as "indescribable".

"This first EP truly was me proving to myself that I can do this, and to get this type of acknowledgment from my community is indescribable".

Kim Otung said she was "touched" by the recognition and thankful for everyone who streamed the single.

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