Britannia Shing-A-Ling
Sunlightsquare
Twenty-five musicians, one room, no edits: Latin soul played live.
Claudio Passavanti dug out favourite records from the 60s and 70s and spent six months rearranging them around the clave. Then 25 musicians went into Miloco Studios in London and played the lot live, with only the strings overdubbed and no editing. The nine songs run from Joey Pastrana's Afro Azul, led by Sharlene Hector, through Marlena Shaw's California Soul, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas' Nowhere To Run and Deodato's Skyscrapers to Land Of 1000 Dances and O Mi Shango. Vanessa Freeman, Tasita D'Mour, René Alvarez and Brendan Reilly also sing, over drummer Ernesto Simpson and a seven-piece horn section. BBC Music called it "a triumph", and Craig Charles featured it on BBC 6 Music.
- BBC Music review, 19 Dec 2011
- Featured on Craig Charles' Funk & Soul Show, BBC 6 Music
- Recorded live at Miloco Studios, London
- Spawned the Land Of 1000 Dances and O Mi Shango 7-inches
Personnel
- Claudio Passavantikeyboards; arranger, producer
- Ernesto Simpsondrums
- Emanuele Brignolabass
- Giovanni Imparatopercussion
- Sharlene Hectorvocals
- Vanessa Freemanvocals
- Tasita D'Mourvocals
- René Alvarezvocals
- Brendan Reillyvocals
- Kevin Mark Trailvocals
- Quentin Collinstrumpet
- Brandon Allentenor saxophone
- Donato Sensinialto saxophone
- Tony Kofisaxophone
- Trevor Mirestrombone
- Gareth Lockraneflute
- Dave Patmanband
- Vicky Jasseyband
- Massimo Grecoband
- Nichol Thomsonband
- Jim Hartband
- The Solis String Quartetstrings
| 1 | Afro Azul (Original Mix) | 4:27 |
| 2 | Idle Hands (Original Mix) | 5:46 |
| 3 | Nowhere To Run (Original Mix) | 4:32 |
| 4 | Free Soul (Original Mix) | 4:45 |
| 5 | Up, Up And Away (Original Mix) | 3:35 |
| 6 | California Soul (Original Mix) | 4:04 |
| 7 | O Mi Shango (Original Mix) | 4:27 |
| 8 | Skyscrapers (Original Mix) | 5:04 |
| 9 | Land Of 1000 Dances (Original Mix) | 4:19 |
This is a triumph, and it’ll be exciting to hear what Sunlightsquare cook up next.
Sunlightsquare have achieved that rare feat of a covers project that doesn't include a single sub-standard re-interpretation, and is something not to be missed at any cost.
captured here on the most passionate long player I’ve previewed this year.
Pure magic from start to finish.
A fanstastic new spin on a brilliant set of classics!
Er nimmt deren Stücke auf und verarbeitet sie auf seine ganz eigene Art und Weise: pompös und eindrucksvoll.
Really great record
Ma attenzione: non è l’abito a fare il monaco.