Battersea has always held a special place in my heart. My mum was born here in 1945, and though the Battersea I find myself in today is barely recognisable from the one she knew, the spirit of transformation is something she would have admired. What was once a working-class neighbourhood built around railways, factories, and council estates has now become one of London’s most dynamic cultural hubs. The old power station has been reborn as a luxury complex, the skyline filled with gleaming towers, cafés, and creative spaces. And tucked within this regeneration is something truly extraordinary, World Heart Beat Studios.
Located just steps from the river, this new facility is a shining centre of music and community. It is a far cry from the Battersea of my mum’s youth, but it carries the kind of purpose and soul that would have made her proud. At its heart is a commitment not just to sound, but to people. Founded as the commercial arm of the World Heart Beat Music Academy charity, this Battersea location opened in 2023 and serves as a venue, recording studio, café, and cultural hub, all designed to support and fund music education for young people across London.
The Vision Behind the Venue
I recently visited the space to meet with my friend Nick Cohen, a remarkable producer, engineer, songwriter, and as many know, a seriously respected bassist (Massive Attack, Jack Bruce, and more). Nick gave me the grand tour, and what struck me most was not just the technical prowess of the facility, but the thoughtfulness behind it.
“This building was designed to be future-proof,” Nick told me. “Everything is wired with fibre and Ethernet, we can patch any room into the studio. It is all about flexibility, and about making great things possible.”
At the heart of the venue is a stunning auditorium, complete with immersive d&b Soundscape audio, adjustable acoustic panels, and an awe-inspiring Steinway Model D. Once used at the Proms, this concert grand now anchors performances and recordings alike. “It is the jewel in the crown,” Nick beamed, “and it is ours, we own it.”
High Standards, Real Vibes
The recording studio itself is centred around an SSL Origin console, supported generously by SSL and overseen by Grammy-winning engineer Robbie Nelson. The entire facility was designed by Munro Acoustics and brims with both prestige and practicality. From DPA mics to Coles ribbons, Neumann rooms to Dante integration, the gear list is formidable. However, as Nick rightly points out, “It is not about the kit. It is about who you have got in the room. That is what creates the vibe.”
That sentiment echoes through everything at World Heart Beat. Whether it is a jazz recital, a film score session, or a big band show, the focus is always on capturing the emotional core of a performance. “Anyone can make something technically perfect,” Nick said. “But that is not the goal. The goal is to make something that feels real.”
Nick Cohen: From Session Bass to Studio Vision
Nick’s own journey is a great example of how careers evolve with passion and versatility. Starting as a gigging bassist in London, he quickly carved out a career in sessions and touring, before moving into production and education. Over the years, he has worked with a dizzying array of artists across genres, and for the last stretch of Jack Bruce’s life, Nick was his European bassist. “Every night was a lesson,” he told me. “Jack could play things that no one else could get away with, and it worked because it was him.”
He also leads The Blues Explosion, a formidable outfit that has held a monthly slot at Ronnie Scott’s for over 17 years, mixing New Orleans funk, West Coast grooves, and British grit into a genre-blending celebration of musicianship.
A Place for the Next Generation
While the tech is cutting-edge, and the musicianship world-class, World Heart Beat never forgets its roots. The Southfields campus still handles the majority of teaching, offering free or subsidised music education to young people from all backgrounds. Jazz, classical, global music, nothing is off the table. With patrons like Julian Joseph and a fiercely dedicated team, the academy is building not just musicians, but citizens of the world.
“This is a place where anything goes,” Nick says. “You can have a big band one night, Gregorian chant the next, and a string quartet the next day. And that is exactly how it should be.”
Back to Battersea
Walking out of the studio and seeing the shifting skyline, I could not help but think of my mum, and how far this place has come since 1945. Yes, Battersea has changed, but maybe that is the point. At its best, music mirrors change, it evolves, adapts, and connects people across generations. World Heart Beat Studios does not just reflect that idea, it amplifies it.
If you are looking for a studio that sounds world-class but feels like home, this might be the most inspiring place in London. A heartbeat, right where it belongs.
