Music
Reel People feat. Darien - ‘Alibi’
By Antonia (EMMS)
Dec 9, 2007 - 5:11:10 PM

Papa Records / Release Date: December 3^rd 2007

·         Cult UK soul act Reel People return with new single

·         2 remixes from hot Swedish producer Rasmus Faber

Praise for Reel People’s debut album:

“An astonishingly assured debut.” Time Out

“Divine and Inspired.” Blues and Soul

“An album that is world class.” DJ

“Fresh and uncomplicated.” Straight No Chaser

December 3^rd marks Reel People’s hotly anticipated return to the fray with ‘Alibi’ , the first single taken from the new album ‘ Seven Ways To Wonder’ , the follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut ‘ Second Guess’ .

‘Alibi’ sees Reel People back with a bang and introduces brand 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.

Two super-cool mixes come courtesy of Sweden’s favourite Rasmus Faber . The Rasmus Faber Remix keeps the vibe of the original and takes the energy levels up in the way only RF can. The ‘RaFa Epic Dub’ shows off Rasmus’ other side, with a more minimal approach combining percussion and strings, to create what will undoubtedly go down as a classic 4am masterpiece.

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 fusion 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’ . 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’ and play the following dates, with more to be announced.

Feb 7^th Jazz Café – London

Feb 8^th The Wardrobe – Leeds

Feb 9^th MOHO Live – Manchester