On February 25th 2008 Reel People present ‘Seven Ways To Wonder’, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Second Guess’. The new longplayer has upped the ante: a heady brew of the many ingredients necessary.
The album kicks off with ’Alibi’ and introduces new guest vocalist Darien. Coming from Mount Vernon in New York, Darien has emerged from NY’s underground soul scene and is set to wow fans with his stunning tone and warm vocals. With hints of Stevie in his heyday and paying homage to Sergio Mendes, ‘Alibi’ is a wonderful piece of Latin-edged soul which will instil euphoria in even the most jaded of souls.
The legendary Omar comes next with ‘Outta Love’ a Bill Withers-influenced cut with a soca groove. ‘Amazing’ is an updated take on the classic 80s soul vibe, in the vein of Maze or Shalamar and also Reel People’s first hook-up with singers Tony Momrelle & Imaani (Incognito). London favourite Vanessa Freeman returns with ‘Rise & Fly’ and takes you deep into a hypnotic journey that wouldn’t be out of place as a Bond theme tune. Tony Momrelle is then on board again for the classic ‘It Will Be’. With a vocal performance that sends shivers down your spine and a production that would not be out of place on a George Benson record, ‘Perfect Sky’ allows Joy Rose some beautiful space and time on an ideal summers-evening. Taking one of several shifts in style, Reel People’s very own Mike Patto steps up for ‘Ordinary Man’ which sounds like the lost classic that Hall & Oates or Steely Dan never wrote.
Original singer/songwriter Dyanna Fearon pens the sultry ‘High’, whilst live band member Tasita D’Mour works it out on the uplifting ‘Anything You Want’. Darien returns for a second outing on the uber cool ‘Upside’ and finally ‘Love Is Where You Are’, featuring Tony Momrelle, is reminiscent of a Quincy Jones record from that classic 70s era.
Brief bio
Hailing from London’s East End, Oli Lazarus spent three years of musical osmosis in Flying Records, a shop specialising in soulful dance music. After this grounding education and with very little song writing or studio experience under his belt, he produced Reel People’s debut single ‘Spiritual’. The entirely positive reception to his maiden voyage (plus a little help from production master Phil Asher and multi-instrumentalist Nathan Haines), helped spur him on to realise the lauded debut LP.
Mike Patto, a gifted multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and arranger came on board in 2002 having previously worked with restless soul and collaborated with artists including Don E. Patto's father (also Michael) was a musical figure of note, as vocalist in renowned 60s jazz/rock fused group Patto. The influence rubbed off on Mike (and Oli), as well as other artists who proved key in shaping
the Reel People sound, including Steely Dan and Stevie Wonder plus other black music heroes such as Marvin Gaye and Gil Scott Heron.
The pair set to it and in 2003 ‘Second Guess’ was released on Oli’s Papa Records label. Filled with wonderful collaborations from artists such as Angela Johnson (Can’t Stop), Vanessa Freeman (The Light) and Dyanna Fearon (Butterflies), the album was greatly received and led to the band being signed to Columbia Records in Japan, where they remain hugely popular, even supporting Herbie Hancock at the Tokyo Jazz Festival. In February 2006 the album was re-released on dance independent Defected Records. To enhance the new version, the guys penned the club classic ‘The Rain’ and the uber cool cover of Thelma Houston’s ‘You Used To Hold Me So Tight’. Also accompanying this was a bonus disc of live versions which really showed off how the band had developed over the 3 years of touring ‘Second Guess’.
Live, Reel People have stormed many auditoriums worldwide including week long stints at the famous Blue Note in Japan and Ronnie Scott’s in London. Other stand- out performances were delivered at The Southport Weekender, V Festival and T In The Park.
Reel People have come home to roost on Papa Records for their brand new offering ‘Seven Ways To Wonder’.
1. Alibi Written D.Dollinger / M. Patto / O. Lazarus My Mouth Music (ASCAP) / Indigo Voyage / Papa Music ISRC GB-FNE-07-30001
Lead Vocals by Darien Backing Vocals by Darien / Mike Patto / Vanessa Freeman & Tasita D’Mour Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drums by Ian Thomas Bass by Julian Crampton Percussion by Oli Savill
2. Outta Love Written by M. Patto / O. Lazarus Indigo Voyage Papa Music ISRC GB-FNE-07-30002
Lead Vocals by Omar Backing Vocals by Tony Momrelle & Mike Patto Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drum Programming by Mike Patto Bass by Julian Crampton Percussion by Oli Savill Strings performed by Urban Soul Orchestra
3. Amazing Written by M. Patto / A. Momrelle / O. Lazarus Indigo Voyage / Three Wise Men Songs c/o (Bug Music Ltd) / Papa Music ISRC GB-FNE-07-30003
Lead Vocals by Tony Momrelle & Imaani Backing Vocals by Tony Momrelle / Imaani / Vanessa Freeman & Tasita D’Mour Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drums by Ian Thomas Drum Programming by Mike Patto Percussion by Oli Savill
4. Rise & Fly Written by M. Patto / V. Freeman / O. Lazarus Indigo Voyage / Papa Music ISRC GB-FNE-07-30004
Lead Vocals by Vanessa Freeman Backing Vocals by Vanessa Freeman & Tasita D’Mour Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drum Programming by Mike Patto Percussion by Oli Savill Strings performed by Urban Soul Orchestra
5. It Will Be Written by M. Patto / D. Stanton / O. Lazarus / P. Simpson Indigo Voyage / Papa Music / Copyright Control ISRC GB-FNE-07-30005
Lead Vocals by Tony Momrelle Backing Vocals by Imaani / Vanessa Freeman / P. Simpson / M. Patto Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drums by Ian Thomas Drum Programming by Dominic Stanton Bass by Julian Crampton Percussion by Oli Savill Strings performed by Urban Soul Orchestra
6. Perfect Sky Written by M. Patto / O. Lazarus / J. Rose Indigo Voyage / Papa Music / Copyright Control ISRC GB-FNE-07-30006
Lead Vocals by Joy Rose Backing Vocals by Tasita D’Mour Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drum Programming by Dominic Stanton Percussion by Oli Savill
7. Ordinary Man Written by M. Patto / O. Lazarus Indigo Voyage / Papa Music ISRC GB-FNE-07-30007
Lead Vocals by Mike Patto Backing Vocals by Tasita D’Mour / Vanessa Freeman & Mike Patto Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drums by Ian Thomas Drum Programming by Dominic Stanton Bass by Mike Patto Percussion by Oli Savill
8. High Written by M. Patto / D. Fearon / O. Lazarus Indigo Voyage / Papa Music / Copyright Control ISRC GB-FNE-07-30008
Lead Vocals by Dyanna Fearon Backing Vocals by Dyanna Fearon & Vanessa Freeman Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drums by Ian Thomas Bass by Neville Malcom Percussion by Oli Savill
9. Anything You Want Written by M. Patto / O. Lazarus / D. Lindsay / R. N. Lee / L. Stenning Indigo Voyage / Papa Music / Dmour Music / Sublime Music Publishing ISRC GB-FNE-07-30009
Lead Vocals by Tasita D’Mour Backing Vocals by Tasita D’Mour / Mike Patto / Vanessa Freeman / Annette Bowen & Waleed Isaacs Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drums by Ian Thomas Drum Programming by Dominic Stanton & Robin Lee Bass by Julian Crampton Strings performed by Urban Soul Orchestra
10. Upside Written by D. Dollinger / M. Patto / O. Lazarus / L. Stenning My Mouth Music (ASCAP) / Indigo Voyage / Papa Music
Lead Vocals by Darien Backing Vocals by Darien / Vanessa Freeman & Tasita D’Mour Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drum Programming by Mike Patto Percussion by Oli Savill
11. Love Is Where You Are Written by M. Patto / O. Lazarus / A. Momrelle Indigo Voyage / Papa Music / Three Wise Men Songs c/o (Bug Music Ltd) ISRC GB-FNE-07-30011
Lead Vocals by Tony Momrelle Backing Vocals by Tasita D’Mour / Mike Patto & Kloud 9 Keyboards by Mike Patto Guitar by Leon Stenning Drums by Ian Thomas Drum Programming by Dominic Stanton Bass by Julian Crampton Percussion by Oli Savill Strings performed by Urban Soul Orchestra
12. Outta Love (Reprise) Written by M. Patto / O. Lazarus Indigo Voyage Papa Music ISRC GB-FNE-07-30012
Lead Vocals by Omar Strings performed by Urban Soul Orchestra
All tracks Produced by Mike Patto for Indigo Voyage Co – produced by Oli Lazarus Executive production by Oli Lazarus
Strings written and arranged by Steve Hussey & Mike Patto All Vocals & Instruments recorded by Mike Patto @ The Inspiration Suite, London. Drums recorded by Matt Lord
Tracks 3,4,5,6,9,11 & 12 mixed by Darryl Lavictoire & Mike Patto @ +6db Studios, London. Tracks 7 & 8 mixed by Mike Patto @ The Garden, London Tracks 1,2 & 10 mixed by Mike Patto & Felix Hopkins @ Fluidity Studios, London. Tracks 1,2 & 10 vocals mixed by Darryl Lavictoire @ +6db Studios, London.
Mastered by John Dent @ LOUD Mastering, Taunton.
Reel People are sponsored by KORG Keyboards
Omar appears courtesy of Blunt Music Darien appears courtesy of Righteous Music Records, a department of Righteous Music Media, LLC Dyanna Fearon appears courtesy of No Fear Music Leon Stenning plays a Chris McIntyre Custom Classical Guitar Oli Savill plays Toca percussion and Sabian Cymbals
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