After hours grooving with Robin and Simon Lee…
Neil Oliver – Let My Music Take You
A very sunny song from Neil Oliver here. The label is Fiesta Records out of France which is that releases, almost exclusively, African artists.
Jerry Williams – Take It Easy On Yourself
The late Jerry Lynn Williams wrote some big hits for artists such as Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughn. This cut comes from his 1979 album entitled “Gone” that also features a long list of top US soul session musicians including bass playing legend “Duck” Dunn and drummer Jeff Porcaro.
Loi – Body Contact
Slinky disco with a care free, hedonistic bent, (as it should always be) from 1981. What we love about it is the slight reggae vibe on the off beat and its no surprise that its a Jamaican production.
Ned Doheny – Get It Up For Love
The Tata Vega version of this song is probably more widely known, but originally penned by west coast singer/songwriter, Ned Doheny. He has written songs that have been recorded by the likes of Chaka Khan and Average White Band whilst still retaining his California credentials and being a buddy of Don Henley and Glenn Frey of the Eagles no less.
Neil Cowley Trio – Lament
Something a bit different here from Britains finest. Neil Cowley has been one of those amazing musicians that has played behind some of the biggest acts that the UK has had to offer in recent years. Here he shows us a deep and melancholic side which is both courageous and touching.
Ze Roberto – Lotus 72D
Brazilian funk groove with silky vocals on this floaty funker that has one of those rock solid grooves that is impossible not to move to.
Earons – Land Of Hunger
Heavy 80’s astro funk vibrations from this band of musicians from the Sumer region, where Africa, Asia and Europe interconnect. This was a big record from 1984.
Ahmed Fakroun – Nisyan
Libyan singer and multi instrumentalist who chose Bass as his first instrument and went on to forge a modern Arabic tradition on the world music arena. This easy breathing track is perfect for bouncing on your lounger after a heavy night out.
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Riot In Lagos
Always reaching for the new and eccentric, Ryuichi Sakamoto manages to get some proper quirky tones out of his analogue synths. This one was made way before MIDI in 1980.
Disco Circus – Dig It
A massive Faze Action favourite. Always a good time when we play it out, which is as often as the situation permits…. quite often then.
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Inner Rhythm presents…
Faze Action: Exclusive London live show…Sunday 4th May @ The Flyover, W10
To celebrate the launch of their hotly-anticipated and already highly-praised new album ‘Body Of One’, the pioneering and influential duo Faze Action will play a one-off London live date at The Flyoveron Bank Holiday Sunday/ Renowned not only for their impeccable back catalogue, Faze Action are a joyous live proposition. For the gig they’ll come complete with a nine piece band, featuring the Faze brothers Simon and Robin Lee, vocals from Zeke Manyika and Mary Moore, plus horns, vocals, drums, keyboards, bass and percussion. DJ support comes courtesy of veteran London connoisseur selectors Phil Asher and Stuart Patterson.
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Faze Action ‘Body Of One’ LP – Out now on FAR (Faze Action Records)
Ahead-of-the-pack UK maestros Faze Action present their new album ‘Body Of One’ – arguably their best yet, which considering the impeccable track record is no mean feat. Highly-musical, brilliantly arranged, produced and played by Faze Action aka brothers Simon and Robin Lee, the album, is credible for the heads and accessible for newcomers, plus it’s funky as hell, with serious dancefloor chops. ‘Body Of One’ merges elements of Arthur Russell-style leftfield songwriting, disco, Balearic, post punk, house and boogie, adorned with African and tropical flourishes. Although born from a lifelong appreciation of quality, timeless dance music’s most inspired moments, the album is way more than simply a collage of assimilated genres and sounds; it has a style and panache all of its own, that is distinctly Faze Action. Despite the duo’s quality touch being clearly audible on every track, collaboration is also a key component, as the album features guest vocal turns from Christopher Woodhouse, plus Mary Moore, who previously collaborated with Faze Action and Yam Who? for their contribution to the ‘Tribute To Arthur Russell’ compilation. ‘Body Of One’ also features the uniquely cool and dulcet voice of Zimbabwean vocalist, songwriter and drummer Zeke Manyika, who’s best known for his contribution to key releases by Orange Juice, The Style Council and The The, plus his own work, including the inspired 12” ‘Bible Belt’. ‘Prisoner Of Your Love’ summons the spirit of Quando Quango and Shreikback for a high-power opening gambit, leading on to the Balearic-yet-melancholy ‘Stuck’ – a sublime song minimally adorned with congas, acoustic guitar, and the duo’s trademark cello. The Nile Rogers-meets-Kissing The Pink ‘Echoes Of your Mind’ is equally entrancing, and the title track ‘Body Of One’ is, quite simply, an indefinable masterpiece of dance floor art. The sunny disposition of ‘Time By Your Side’ is a happy marriage of 80s boogie/soul, Chicago house and even a touch of classic Balearic pop, while the black 80s nightclub vibe continues subsequently, this time merging with piano house on the aptly titled ‘Magic Touch’. Punk funk is brought bang up to date on the pounding, acid-laced ‘Freak For Your Love’, before you’re teleported cloudwards for the dream-like ‘Caruso’s Monkey House’ and the breezily emotive closing track ‘Floating World’. Faze Action have spent over a decade refining their signature lyrical and musical style. Their devotion to delivering tracks with both depth and accessibility has earned them the love of loyal and new fans around the world. Despite their dexterous multi genre skills, the duo are best known for disco – the ever-evolving sound at the heart of everything they do. Added to that is a mixture of elements ranging from classical, Latin, jazz and house music – a combo which has kept the forward-thinking brothers ahead of the curve. Way before the rise to prominence of Hercules & Love Affair, Horse Meat Disco, Lindstrom, Todd Terje, Prins Thomas, Metro Area, LCD Soundsystem and DFA, Faze Action spearheaded the first disco revival and have remained hugely-respected figures on the worldwide scene ever since, for their productions, plus joyous live gigs and DJ sets. A staple of many A-list DJs set-list over the years, fans of Faze Action include Andy Weatherall, Gilles Peterson, DJ Harvey, Tim Sweeney, Horse Meat Disco, Todd Terje, Prins Thomas, Carl Craig, Psychemajik and Jarvis Cocker. They’ve released four critically-acclaimed albums and countless remixes for artists as varied as Femi Kuti, Francois Kevorkian, Odyssey, Metronomy, Crazy P, Bebel Gilberto, Kim Ann Foxman and Saint Etienne. During their tenure as flagship act on the feted Nuphonic label, it was Faze Action’s second release, the much-lauded classic ‘In the Trees’ that cemented their position as high-caliber dancefloor innovators. The track enjoyed a renaissance when reworked by one Carl Craig, who was specially commissioned to celebrate Juno records 10th anniversary, following a vote by Juno staff on which track they would most like to see remixed by the Detroit pioneer. And much like Mr. Craig, it’s their unique knack for taking special styles from the past and reinventing, rejuvenating and reworking them into fresh new forms for future generations, that has ensured their lasting appeal, continued relevance, and position at the forefront of the dance music pantheon – on stage, on the turntables and on record.
