From the creative heart of Stratford, Connecticut, emerges Collaborations not just a band, but a transformative musical project helmed by the visionary Ed Daniels. Unlike traditional groups that revolve around a fixed lineup, Collaborations thrives on its revolving door of talented contributors, each bringing their own voice, story, and soul into the mix. Rooted in the belief that music should be organic, intentional, and heartfelt, Daniels designed this initiative to empower musicians through artistic freedom and emotional honesty. At its foundation, Collaborations is about authenticity. It rejects the polished sterility of digital shortcuts in favor of a handcrafted sonic experience, one built entirely with live musicians, real instruments, and genuine human expression. Every song begins as a concept, a thematic spark from Daniels himself, which is then expanded and personalized by the artists involved.
This collective method allows for deep emotional resonance and creative synergy, transforming each piece into a shared vision rather than a single voice. This isn’t just a project, it’s a movement. With the involvement of acclaimed producer Vic Steffens of Horizon Music Group, and orchestrator Matt Oestreicher, Collaborations boasts a level of musicianship that’s both refined and raw. The team includes Grammy-winning bassist Scott Spray, gifted guitarist Tim Dehuff, masterful drummer Tom Naggy, and powerhouse background vocalists Kevin Monroe and Devotion. Each of them arrives with a distinct perspective, only to be woven into a unified fabric of sound under Daniels’ direction. More than anything, Collaborations stands as a testament to the power of creative cooperation, an open space where musical craft meets social consciousness, and where messages matter just as much as melodies.
Step into a soundscape where yesterday’s warmth meets today’s urgency, You Gotta Know, the stirring new single from Collaborations, released June 20, 2025, is a timeless blend of 60s and 70s soul-pop influence and modern musical purpose. Crafted with the spirit of Carole King, The Association, Carly Simon, and America pulsing through its veins, this track doesn’t just play, it speaks. At the heart of You Gotta Know is a clear and compelling mission: to awaken. Written by Ed Daniels and brought to lyrical life by lead vocalist Anais Preller, the track urges listeners to question the status quo and rediscover their personal power. It is a song meant to inspire action, not through shouting, but through soul.
Recorded at Horizon Music Group in West Haven, Connecticut, and produced by the masterful Vic Steffens, the track flourishes with live instrumentation, free from artificial additives. From the bass grooves of Grammy-winner Scott Spray to the resonant background vocals of Kevin Monroe and Devotion, every element is authentic, every note intentional. You Gotta Know, This song is the next release in the Collabortions catalog and is a follow-up to our first Album release, Songs Of The Heart. The Song was written by Ed Daniels (Owner of Collaborations) and Anais Preller who is also the featured Vocalist. It was produced by Vic Steffens of Horizon Studio and orchestrated by Matt Oestreicher. It also features Grammy Winner Scott Spray, Tim Dehuff, Tommy Naggy and of course Kevin Monroe, Simone Brown and the devotion team.
The atmosphere of You Gotta Know by Collaborations – Ed Daniels blossoms with a radiant charm that’s equal parts vintage nostalgia and modern soul. The intro doesn’t explode, it rises with intention, greeting you with the gentle pulse of warm instrumentation and a restrained guitar shimmer that hints at something deeply emotive waiting to unfold. There’s a sense of craftsmanship even in these opening bars, a balance of clarity and soul that immediately pulls you in. It’s the kind of entrance that doesn’t rely on theatrics, but on feel and finesse. As the arrangement grows, you can sense the fingerprints of seasoned artistry all over it. The guitar phrases are tastefully layered, the rhythm section eases into its groove with subtle confidence, and even the ambient space feels alive, filled with promise. This isn’t just a song starting, it’s a moment being born, and from the onset, I could feel that I was being invited into something meaningful.
Central to that meaning is Anais Preller’s breathtaking vocal performance, which serves as the song’s beating heart. Her voice enters not just as a melodic line, but as a vessel of intent. There’s an unmistakable depth in the way she delivers each lyric, rich, emotional, and grounded in a sense of personal truth. She doesn’t merely perform the lyrics co-written with Ed Daniels; she owns them, infusing every word with a mixture of urgency and warmth. The way her voice rises and falls with the song’s structure is a masterclass in dynamic control, smooth yet commanding, intimate yet universally resonant. In certain moments, she leans into the phrasing with a soulful vibrato that feels like both a cry and a call. It’s the kind of vocal that doesn’t just sing the message, it becomes the message, allowing listeners to experience the emotional landscape as if it were their own.
The instrumentation is a masterstroke of balance and intention, with Vic Steffens at the helm as producer and Matt Oestreicher shaping the arrangement with refined orchestration. Every instrument feels like it has a voice of its own, yet nothing overshadows Anais’s vocal, everything supports her. Scott Spray, the Grammy-winning bassist, anchors the rhythm with a quiet authority, letting the low-end hum with warmth and texture rather than force. His playing walks the line between groove and grounding, giving the song its emotional body. Tim Dehuff’s guitar work is fluid and expressive, his melodic lines weave in and out of the vocal space like brushstrokes, sometimes dancing delicately behind the lyrics, other times stepping forward with crisp clarity. Tom Naggy’s drumming is tasteful and precise, never demanding attention but always steering the ship with steady finesse. The cohesion between all players is palpable, as though each performance was born from the same emotional core.
The song’s transitions are especially compelling. It doesn’t remain flat or predictable; instead, it moves like a journey, carefully paced, dynamically elevated. The choruses swell with rich harmonies, lifting the song emotionally without becoming overproduced or theatrical. This is where Kevin Monroe and Devotion’s background vocals shine. Their harmonies are smooth and powerful, entering like a gospel choir echoing Anais’s message with sacred affirmation. They don’t merely support, they enhance, helping the track shift from introspective to anthemic. When their voices join Anais’s in the chorus, it’s like a soul revival taking place inside the song. These vocal layers add a spiritual urgency that takes the song into a higher emotional dimension, creating moments that are nothing short of spine-tingling.
As I listened, what struck me most was how well the production preserved the organic humanity of the performance. The high-fidelity mix allows each instrument to breathe, and yet the overall sound remains warm and intimate. You can feel the room in which it was recorded, the air between the notes, the sincerity in every inflection. There’s no artificial sheen, no trendy over-polish, it’s raw in the most beautiful way. That authenticity creates a vibe that’s as comforting as it is empowering. The atmosphere is reflective yet forward-looking, blending the aura of ‘70s soul-pop classics with a 21st-century message of awakening and self-awareness. By the end of the song, I wasn’t just moved, I felt seen. The music became a mirror, and through it, a sense of emotional clarity emerged.
You Gotta Know dares you to feel, question, and rise, all wrapped in the golden glow of vintage soul.
You Gotta Know is a shining testament to what happens when musicality, message, and soul meet in perfect unison. It’s a song built from collaboration at its finest, fueled by the lyrical conviction of Ed Daniels, the vocal mastery of Anais Preller, and the instrumental brilliance of a seasoned ensemble. There’s a purpose behind every note, a story behind every chord. It invites you to listen actively, to engage deeply, and to walk away with more than just a melody in your head, it leaves you with a stirring in your heart. The track doesn’t just sound good, it feels necessary. And that’s the mark of something truly lasting. You Gotta Know is a revival of purpose wrapped in melody. A reminder that sometimes, the most revolutionary thing you can do is listen.
For more information about Collaborations – Ed Daniels, click on the icons below.