- country:United Kingdom
- style(s):Fusion, Latin
- label:The Big job
- artist posted by:Meira Shore Positive Management
Links
ROAD press release
Debut album: “Can’t Talk”
Released in April 23, 2007
ROAD sound like Massive Attack going on a trip to
Brazil and Africa, taking with them the soul of Terry
Callier and the raw funk of Gorillaz.
Most roads lead somewhere. Whatever the
destination, the great majority in London tend to be
rather stressful, hurried and inorganic places. This
is what immediately sets the musicians of ROAD
apart.
Paul Gunter, Mike Benn and D. “Boo” Gallagher,
recorded their debut album blessed by several
strong vocals from the likes of Terry Callier, Earl
Zinger (2 banks of 4), Valerie Etienne (Galliano,
Kylie & Jamiroquai), Lucy Jules (Brand New Heavies,
George Michael & Beverly Knight), Rosina Kazi (Lal),
Elliot May (Basement Jaxx), Lorna Brown (Terry
Callier), Jeanine levy and Will Mathews (Lo-finger &
Rub Ultra), and the result is an infectious, fresh
debut album.
“With the name ‘ROAD’, we just wanted something
short, to the point but slightly open-ended,” says
Paul Gunter, an experienced drummer/
percussionist who has toured Europe and Japan
with legendary folk jazz singer Terry Callier,
conquered the world with acclaimed performance
company Stomp. “People can create their own
journey or perceptions linked to whatever they
think the music is. That’s important.”
Listen to the almost spiritual mantra of vocalist
Rosina Kazi breathing over the highlife guitar line
and bass of ‘We Are’ (“Hope is the root of
ourselves/We are here, there, everywhere/We are
sunlight”) and you swiftly begin to sense where this
three-piece is coming from.
That is not to say that their sound, all mellifluous
‘Latinised’, afro-percussive movements, is
contrived in any way. “The real strong motivation
right from the start was to not do anything for the
sake of chasing a place in the market,” says Mikey
Benn, a seasoned producer who plays keyboards,
bass and melodica and has previously worked with
Beth Orton, Bebel Gilberto and Terry Callier, as well
as writing and producing numerous film and TV
scores. “We wanted to do something that we
enjoyed, to create something that people could
dance to…but in a less obvious way.”
This sentiment is echoed by the rhythmic driving
force of the group, former Galliano player and
Stomp alumnus D. “Boo” Gallagher. “The organic
way in which our very first Acid Jazz label recording
came about is strongly reminiscent of how ROAD
works today. We never really have a specific thing in
mind or audience to sell to.”
As a writer, D. draws on his love of Afro-Cuban and
Afro-Brazilian music, particularly legendary
percussionist Airto Moreira, a man he admires as
much for his non-conformist attitude as his
playing.
ROAD has two storming gigs under their belt: a
coming-of-age performance at the breeding
ground of talent that is the Jazzfly in Earl’s Court,
London and an eye-catching turn supporting Callier
at the Jazz Café.
Live they perform as a nine-piece band (with three
singers fronting the experience), or with a scaled
down unplugged version for smaller venues. They
are ready for full-scale assault on the festival circuit
in 2007. ROAD are, in time-honoured tradition,
bringing it to you live. Subtle, sophisticated and
simple songs never sounded so effortless.
Single forthcoming in March 2007
Road debut album out in May 2007 on The Big Job
www.myspace.com/roadonline
www.thebigjob.com