Reel People – Retroflection Remixed
Band leader Oli Lazarus widens the collective, inviting the
world’s finest producers and remixers to add their funky splices to the
Retroflection blueprint. Retroflection Remixed, featuring Mousse T., Osunlade,
DJ Spinna, John Morales, Atjazz, Terry Hunter, Sebb Junior, Scott Diaz, Da
Brownie, Tall Black Guy, Matt Cooper’s OUTSIDE, BusCrates and Art Of Tones, is
a majestic rebooting of the soulful flow that swept us away in 2018. Art Of
Tones gets his sparkly mitts on Don’t Stop The Music, swaggering synth ‘n’ bass
riffs further underlining Angie Stone’s classy strut through Yarbrough &
People’s 1980 hit, whilst Buscrates – true to the name of his remix – pumps
irresistible funk bounce into I’m In Love, a truly lowdown re-skinning of Reel
People’s Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King tribute where Navasha Daya’s vocal sounds
sassier than ever. Osunlade eases us in with an elegant re-interpretation of
Reel People’s Pleasure cover Joyous, deep throbs of electronica and rippling
percussion carrying loops of the vocal and that iconic sax solo to stunning new
heights – or depths.
Similarly, Atjazz dims the lights and intensifies the mood
for his take on Twilight. Where Reel People played impressively close to Maze’s
original, Atjazz treads to shuffling jazz drums, double-bass and piano.
Respected UK house DJ-producer Scott Diaz gives the Sharlene Hector-led cover
of Side Effect’s Always There greater guitar-licked urgency but without
compromise to the song’s soulful poise and power, and revered Chicago veteran
Terry Hunter is a match made in heaven for Tony Momrelle, who soars through the
former’s soulfully-charged remix of Buttercup (Carl Anderson’s mid-Eighties,
Stevie Wonder– penned gem) with all of its funky drums, b-line twists and warm
musical arrangements. With Retroflection Remixed, the collective – overseen by
experienced studio-hands Lazarus, Mike Patto, Matt Cooper (of Incognito fame)
and Toni Economides – swells its talented cast and finds dynamic new ways to
connect past with future.
Re:Funk - Let Her Lead feat. Ira May
Founded in 2015 by drummer Dario Milan and singer-songwriter
Maqs Rossi in Lugano, Switzerland, Re:Funk have quickly made a name for
themselves as a high-energy live band that never fails to engage its audience
with its powerful performances. The group draws heavily from the classic sounds
of 60s & 70s funk and soul: from James Brown to Tower of Power, passing by
Sly & The Family Stone, Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield. But also Average
White Band, Ohio Players, Mandrill, The Brothers Johnson and the list could go
on & on & on. If it makes you move, you can bet Re:Funk have listened,
studied and interiorized it into their repertoire.
In the short time since its inception the group has already
performed on some of the most prestigious stages Switzerland has to offer,
including Montreaux Jazz Festival, Jazz Ascona Festival and Locarno Film
Festival, as well as being invited to perform at the 2019 Porretta Soul
Festival, perhaps the most important event of its kind in Italy. All members of
the band are experienced musicians and have worked alongside artists such as
Manu Chao, Ian Paice & Don Airey (of Deep Purple), Derrick McKenzie (from
Jamiroquai), Gogol Bordello, Tonino Carotone, Roy Paci, Bob Mintzer, Jennifer
Batten and more.
Re:Funk‘s strength resides in the chemistry of its rhythm
section, formed by band leader and drummer Dario Milan, bass player Francesca Morandi
and guitarist Mad Mantello, all guided by the energetic stage presence and
formidable voice of Maqs Rossi. Their live performance is designed to shake
audiences to their bone, resuscitating the original spirit of funk and soul for
the modern dance floor. What started as a group that performed covers of
classics quickly evolved into another beast altogether; improvising, jamming
and finally experimenting with their own compositions.
First single “The Harder We Try” saw the light in 2018,
released independently via digital download by the band itself. The
surprisingly warm reception and extensive radio play it enjoyed firmly
established Re:Funk as one of the most interesting emerging funk & soul
bands to come out of Switzerland, and convinced the members to seriously commit
to the process of writing, and then recording an album. The result is debut
full-length “Borderline”, 10 tracks of pure, unadulterated funk & soul, no
added sugar nor artificial coloring!
Ollie Gabriel Something
New
Louisiana native and internationally charting soul singer
Ollie Gabriel was introduced to the American people on the new NBC series
“Songland”. “Songland” pulled back the curtains on how today’s hit records are
made. Five songwriters competed and performed their original song for the
chance to have it recorded by a celebrity artist. In the highly anticipated
premiere released on May 28, 2019, Ollie Gabriel performed and pitched an
original song to John Legend. Ollie Gabriel’s inspirational debut single
“Running Man” went to the top of the radio charts in Europe and currently has
over 22 million streams on Spotify and recently won a Hollywood Music In Media
Award for Best Male Vocal in 2018.
Music
Connection Magazine named him one of the top unsigned live artist to watch (2)
two years in a row, 2017 and 2018. He has performed around the world, televised
to millions and to concert audiences of 40,000+ fans. Since his overseas success in 2017, Ollie has
toured the world and married his longtime girlfriend who inspired the song he
performed on NBC's Songland. Ollie’s big heart of love and conscious spirit
shine through in his upcoming EP “The Good Fight”. The 6 song EP is a soulful sonic blend of
legends like Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye, with a new school swag of Bruno Mars
and Anderson Paak. Not only does Ollie sing about love like back in the day;
but, the upcoming EP also addresses relevant social issues like discrimination,
materialism, the environment and homelessness.
Aside from being an accomplished
performer and songwriter, Ollie is a talented producer and has had over 500
sync placements in film and tv since 2009. His music has been featured in
countless hit shows like Grey's Anatomy, Ray Donovan, Shameless, and Deadliest
Catch to name a few. As a songwriter and producer he's worked with Grammy winning
artists like John Legend, Mel B, En Vogue, and others. The new single
“Something New” has anticipated radio impact June 2019.
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