Limited edition hand numbered 45 in quality picture sleeve. Only 300 available each containing a numbered tamper proof hologram to ensure its authenticity. Limited to one per customer / address

 

Midtown Assembly – A Band of All the Talents.

There is a tendency towards hyperbole when writing about new releases. However, in an age of synthetic music and digitally enhanced vocals; here we have a collection of truly talented individuals recording exclusively in analogue and using actual instruments. It’s simply that.

Numbering fifteen in all, its not quite “Voices of East Harlem” territory but it is getting close. Whilst not a ‘group’ in the traditional sense Midtown Assembly are a collective of vocal performers and musicians. They are more usually lending their skill to the live and recorded work of more household names. Soul fans will have undoubtedly heard their vocal work supporting the likes of Jimmy Ruffin, Womack and Womack, Sister Sledge, Kool and the Gang, The Three Degrees, Barry White and many others.

Singing the lead is Sylvia Mason. Sylvia had success in the ‘70’s as lead on French disco group Voyage’s first two albums. Later working with Linda Lewis, Joan Armatrading, featuring on Chicane’s Trance anthem ‘Strong in Love’ and appearing on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury with headliners The Pet Shop Boys in 2005.

Taking the role of backing singers are Kevin Leo, Rietta Austin, Kristin Hosein, Lennox Cameron, and Weston Foster. Kevin started singing as a thirteen year old and supported himself through college by singing backing for Kool and the Gang, Three Degrees and M-People. Rietta is a native Kiwi and has also graced Glastonbury performing with Dame Shirley Bassey. She also headlined the community event that saw the opening of the O2 Arena. Kristin is now lead singer with The Soul Jets who ‘Time Out’ referred to as “Quite simply, one of the best bands out there” when they were the house band in the Arts Club in Mayfair. Lennox (Lex) Cameron is well noted for his ‘Deeper Than That’ album as well as his work with Amii Stewart, Barry White and Roachford. As for Weston (Wez) Foster he has been a key part of both Second Image and The Groove Association as well as working with Jimmy Ruffin and Sister Sledge.

Whilst this is an impressive cast for the vocal parts a key ingredient in the track is having real musicians playing real instruments, recorded in an analogue only studio. Not to be out done the backing musicians put on a performance that would not have been out of place had it been executed at 5840 2nd Ave, Detroit.

A key element in the feel of the track are the saxophones, here handled by Jamie Talbot and Dave Bishop. The mastery of these two saxophonists has been employed by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Quincy Jones, Carl Davis and Amy Winehouse to superb effect. Trumpets complete the brass section and feature Simon Gardner who has performed with J.J. Jackson and The Who; and Craig Wild who numbers amongst his backing credits Dionne Warwick and The Temptations.

Percussion is in the hands of the masterful Frank Ricotti. Multi-instrumentalist Frank has over 750 recording credits working with many artistes including Madeline Bell, Amii Stewart and Tina Turner.

One time Bassist with Jamiroquai Alex Meadows lends his unique style to the track, whilst long time collaborators Adam Drake and Terry Devine-King (who co-wrote the track with Steve Levine) provide the guitar and keyboards respectively. Drums are provided by Pat Illingworth who has drummed behind Hugh Masekela, Corinne Bailey Rae, Omar and 808 State.

As all soul fans will know hitting the sweet spot with every element to produce a track that works on every level is a rare thing. So many tracks have fallen foul of a fickle market or indeed a lack of being marketed at all. Here we have a track that was never meant to get a general release. Slated to be used for incidental music in film or TV it nonetheless drew on the greatest talent available. Gave that talent a score fitting of the likes of Motown or Golden World. All this plus studio time in an analogue only space and the expert production of Grammy and Brit Award winning producer Steve Levine.

It was just luck that brought ‘Don’t Walk Away’ to the attention of a rare soul collector and then a long-drawn-out process of putting a name to the performers and licensing the track for limited release began.