With the recent release of brand new single ‘Something For You’, we trace it all back to see where Lawrence really found his talents.
Born in the 50’s, in the San Francisco bay area, Lawrence’s love for music grew early on, when he joined his parents in the gospel band known as ‘The Sensational Travelers’. They would practice in his grandfathers old Victorian Church every Saturday night.
This then led on to a bigger responsibility for Lawrence, when he was asked to join another family band known as the ‘Fantastic Four’, which he fronted, at the age of 5!
Through his experiences in the music industry at this time, he gained love for instruments such as guitar and Trombone, however, there was an instrument that was calling his name, the bass would later on be a trademark for the singer-songwriter.
While being asked to join band and groups such as Dorothy Morrison’s gospel band, which he contributed bass to for much of the early 80’s.
Now ready to push his solo releases, Lawrence has recorded and produced his own material such as ‘Driving me away’and brand new track ‘Something For You’.
For nearly 40 years now, ‘Crack of Dawn’have been meticulously honing their craft, and the results are clear, honest and hard to deny. These guys are one of those bands that have always been around, working hard simply for the love of it, and their latest release ‘Spotlight’is no exception to this. It is a soulful, sublime ballad that wraps you up and holds you seemingly forever.
They are also one of Canada’s most successful musical stories, releasing their first album in 1976 from which there were a number of hits including ‘It’s Alright (This Feeling)’, ‘Keep The Faith’ and ‘The Key’. This however is not all. They also outsold ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ in Canada (a feat that only a small number of bands from this period can claim), were the first black band to get a record deal in Canada with Columbia and were tipped as being one to watch by billboard in the USA before everything started to go a little quiet due to “musical differences” within the band.
However, with differences put aside and new music coming, ‘Crack of Dawn’are back on top and ready to pop. Check out the new single ‘Spotlight’ and be sure to keep an eye on them
With the single due on May 29th, the next couple of months are set to be very busy for Court Royal. May 24th sees them play a hugely anticipated show at Goodison Park, the home of Everton Football Club, while in August they will take to the stage as part of the bill at the prestigious Strawberry Fields Festival. And, with an upcoming album already in the bag, it’s unlikely things will quieten down for Court Royal anytime soon.
It all feeds perfectly into the band’s main aim – to bring FUNK back to the UK music scene in 2015. And with previous single ‘Can’t Get Enough’ fast tracked onto the BBC Introducing playlist on the same night as it was uploaded, that target doesn’t feel like an impossible one.
Aside from the music, Court Royal also have something of a unique boast – how many bands can say that two of their members work for the emergency services? Juggling high pressure work like that with creating top class music can’t be easy, but in the case of Court Royal, it is all taken in stride.
Keep an eye on Court Royal in 2015 – ‘Watch Yourself’ is unleashed on May 29th.
Single out June 6th, soon to be followed by self titled debut EP and EU/UK tour
A combination of funk rock, pop and soul, four piece Velshur are set to explode onto British shores this summer. Having just been to the UK and EU for some debut shows, they are now set for their first international release and will be returning to the UK and E.U in September!
One of the hardest working bands on the Australian circuit, a combination of residencies and touring saw them play 96 gigs over the four months of the Aussie snow season, very quickly building their fanbase and a reputation for performing their brand of soul warming funk rock. They are most often compared to Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Dandy Warhols and The Strokes.
In the months since, the band have been working equally hard to put together their first 4 track EP, to be introduced in early June with the debut single ‘Spanish Sound’.
The track is a bombastic, slow build funk rock song with solid rhythms, basslines and guitar riffs that work together to support a rasping rock vocal. It’s all wrapped around a huge, hooky chorus that leaves little wonder as to why Velshur delighted hundreds of fans night after night during their Winter residencies.
The single and EP were put together under the watchful dials of Grammy nominated engineer Blake Eiseman, who has worked with the likes of James Brown to Beyonce, Justin Beiber, Pink to Pearl Jam and a number of other big-name artists, with initial production help from Nicholas Wilson, who has recently worked with Wolfmother and toured with Seasick Steve and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin . Once it’s out fans around the globe will undoubtedly be tuning in and dancing to their much anticipated debut release.
Tapping into the recent boom in British funk music, Row Z are a Liverpool based five piece with a taste for moody blues. Their new EP, ‘Green Penny’, is due June 9th and is currently one of the most eagerly awaited releases in the world of new UK Blues.
Led by incredible Richard James Smith, the band specialise in sprawling jazz spiced funk tracks, full of intricate rhythms and virtuoso musical performance throughout the band.
Row Z first made a splash with Ska/Jazz single ‘Stalemate’ in 2006, released to universally good reviews and – improbably – a huge chart success in Germany.
Now though this new material sees them hitting new heights with great crossover potential, pulling together their roots sensibilities with sound that is instantly accessible. It’s the kind of music that can (and has) turned small, impromptu gigs into full on dance parties, bringing in elements from breakdance to swing.
It comes as no surprise to learn that Richard James Smith comes with something of a reputation. After receiving Masterclasses from Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), Joan Armatrading, Steve Morse (Deep Purple), Yngwie Malmsteen and José Feliciano, Richard had the honour of being awarded his degree by Sir Paul McCartney. But this was just the start.
Since then, Richard has been a finalist in ‘Young Jazz musician of the year’ and ‘Acoustic Guitarist of the Year’, and featured on Oscar winner Jared Leto’s 30 Seconds To Mars track ‘Up in the Air’ (Remix). Fans include Jools Holland, who swapped numbers with Guitarist Richard after a performance for ITV.
However, Smith isn’t the only band member with pedigree. Drummer Jay Irving has toured with Tony Christie/The Christians, while Keyboard player John has toured with the Seahorses, John Squire, DJ Vadim, Cinematic Orchestra, and played and composed for Lily Allen hits ‘Smile’ and LDN. He also played on the acclaimed debut album from Corinne Bailey Rae.
Meanwhile, Alto sax player Alex Harris has performed for Richard Branson, Prince Charles and Kate Middleton, as well as numerous television shows, radio shows and short films including BBC’s Call the Midwife and BBC Radio London. He has also performed with Kevin Spacey at Ronnie Scott’s, London.
Row Z’s killer combination of skill and experience is what makes their music so brilliant and their EP so highly sought after. And when The Beatles’ first manager Allan Williams asks to book your band for parties after watching them at the Cavern Club, it’s clear you’re doing something right.
You can listen to the other two tracks from the ‘Green Penny’ EP here –
John Aram to release single ‘EDT (Envie de Toi)’ on 20th May ahead of album ‘You and I’ to be released on 3rd June.
Background
John Aram is a well known name among jazz musicians. He has worked extensively with legends like Tim Garland, Kenny Wheeler and Scott Stroman along with huge names in funk like Bob Babbit and the Funk Brothers Band. In addition, Aram is Musical Director at the International School of Geneva, where he now lives, and also regularly conducts the Swiss Jazz Orchestra.
Probably his closest collaborator is Phil Collins. John worked closely with him on Collins’ album ‘Going Back’ (2010), writing many arrangements, booking musicians, supervising recording and going on tour. Daryl Stuermer, also of Genesis, plays guitar on ‘Stuck on You’ from Aram’s forthcoming album ‘You and I’. Aram and Phil Collins are in fact close friends and Collins has contributed to many of his musical projects over the years.
It is a busy spring period for Aram. Aside from his album (see below) he is also due to release “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’ Suite’; his ode to Alan Sillitoe’s post war classic novel of the same name, featuring Kenny Wheeler. Aram, hailing from Nottingham like Sillitoe, was in close contact with the author during his writing of the jazz suite in 2010. Tragically, Sillitoe died in the same year just before it was finished so never heard it, as a result Aram decided not to release ‘The Suite’ as a physical disc. He had now taken the decision to release it on vinyl with artwork from Video artist Joss Sessions.
Aram therefore has a huge wealth of experience in the worlds of jazz and funk, which he has used brilliantly in his new single ‘EDT (Envie de Toi); due to, be released 20th May. The track takes his jazz influences and puts them in a funk / disco context giving the track popular potential beyond its appeal to 70s soul connoisseurs. In has the feeling of a Chic comeback track, a Bruno Mars disco revival number of even of a latter day Michael Jackson. Half way through, however, we get a taste of Aram’s jazz background with a hefty Rhodes solo played by Jason Rebello. It’s a solo reminiscent of Roy Ayers on the vibes or a George Benson guitar solo on one of his funkier numbers.
The rest of ‘You and I’ follows similar themes whilst trying to stretch them in different directions. Very much a concept album, all music is heavily influenced by Stevie Wonder, even down to the artwork used for the album. Tracks like ‘Stronger’ and ‘Stuck on you’ follow the soul disco revival route featuring some brilliant vocals and irresistible solos on each. ‘In the Air’ and ‘You and I’ slow the pace down and move closer to a soul ballad in the mould of Earth, Wind and Fire or even Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. ‘In the Air’ features beautiful vocals from Amy Keys and from cult Swiss hip-hop artist Rootwords. ‘In the Air’ is particularly close to Aram’s heart as it was written for his wife who was suffering from breast cancer at the time.
There is a great feeling of fun and spontaneity in the album, which reflects the way it was made and thought up in the first place. It wasn’t originally planned at all. Aram and his band were on tour in the UK (London in fact) and had a gig cancelled so, realising he was still paying them, decided they might as well have some fun and make an album! Not all jazz quintets are this productive. They decided to make music which they loved but didn’t always get a chance to play: funk, soul, Motown, Stevie Wonder, which you will find on the bonus tracks of the album; material Aram had played with Phil Collins before and not had the chance to make himself. The full album did, however, take over a year to complete in recording studios all over the world, from New York to Switzerland, ensuring only the very best musicians were to be featured that fit the style of music that Aram wanted to create.
Nyika is a soul-funk singer songwriter with Bulgarian and Zimbabwean roots. She has a sound which is reminiscent of other soul acts, such as Omar (both artists having studied at WAC). Being a self managed and published artist, Nyika is indie in the truest sense of the word. In addition, this staunchly independent artist also runs her own record label, ‘Too Hip’ Records. This independence allows Nyika to release music that is unfiltered, personal and direct. This personal approach is reflected in new single ‘Crying Days’, which focuses on her childhood.
Nyika is not complacent and continues to develop as an artist – she has already released two albums which have allowed her to work with some of the same collaborators as George Michael, Dusty Springfield and Kylie Minogue. All of the knowledge she has gained from her previous collaborations have helped to shape ‘Crying Days’.
Having performed at London Gay Pride and being labeled as ‘One to watch’ by Tony Blackburn (BBC Radio), momentum is really building for Nyika, and when listening to ‘Crying Days’, it’s clear to see why. The track is a triumphant statement about overcoming past strife and how this ultimately strengthens us. This is all made clear in the chorus, which proudly states ‘My crying days are over’.
This uplifting message is backed by thudding drums, giving the song a real energy and forward propulsion. This energy permeates the entire song and makes for an exciting listen. This backing is built on by soulful piano chords and funk guitar. If you’ve not listened to Nyika before, ‘Crying Days’ is a great introduction to her indie soul funk style.
‘Crying Days’ will be available for purchase from January 17th
What do you get if you cross Daft Punk and Alex Clare with the vocal stylings of Jamiroquai and Maroon 5? Not the start of a bad joke, the answer is the new single from futuristic funksters Fudge & the Frequency.
Released on November 16th, ‘Planet Radio’ is a funk track with an electro lilt that can’t fail to get your toes tapping and your head nodding. You can hear it here:
Built around a funky bass line written and performed by John Blackburn (Skunk Anansie), it’s no surprise to learn that Stevie Wonder, having heard their music, is a fan of their sound. It’s immediately infectious, and as effective live as it is recorded.
After only two performances, booking giants all around Londonpicked up the collective for their rosters. Since then, Fudge & the Frequency have headlined some of the top live music spots in the city, including Kensington Roof Gardens, The Clapham Grand, The Notting Hill Arts Club, Camden Barfly, Cargo (Shoreditch) and The Social (Oxford Street).
The band returns to Kensington Roof Gardens for their single launch show on Saturday, November 16th.
Their current success is a testament to their independent spirit, and a rallying call to other unsigned bands who fear they may have to compromise on their sound to make their mark. Having turned down investment opportunities of £70,000 because they felt backers would become to controlling of their approach, Fudge & the Frequency are forging ahead with their own undiluted sound. Their debut EP title, ‘Futuristic Funk’ was the fitting, two word phrase the band would use to describe their music.
With the recent release of brand new single ‘Something For You’, we trace it all back to see where Lawrence really found his talents.
Somebody Told Me... 