COVENTRY Music Museum curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.
Natasha and Brad Turner
Natasha Marie is well known in Coventry as the voice of Skawaddy. As I write, I am enjoying the reggae soul and Ska vibes of her new album with Brad Turner entitled ‘Babylon Rhythm’. It’s basically 11 tracks of superbly immersive reggae beats with Natasha’s amazingly powerful voice up front lighting up the whole album.
Natasha told me: “I’ve been gigging solo for 15 years round clubs and even worked as a red coat for a few months.
“I’ve done one solo album of acoustic covers which is a collection of some of my favourite songs brought to life with piano and guitar.”
On ‘why now for this album?’ she said during the lockdown, Chris the writer and herself had more time to work on the album and they met the producer Brad Turner who asked if they wanted to do a collaboration.
She added: “The albums cover many subjects from Black Lives Matter to Dementia, women feeling they are not appreciated in their relationships and when someone cheats in a relationship and finally the northern vote.”
As well as producer Brad and writer Chris, other people involved included, Gladstone Wilson on vocal production, Apache Indian collaborated on ‘Bad Boys’, Phat Budah (from New Orleans) collaborated on ‘Shelia Army’ and Samson Ranger.
Back Home in Coventry
At last, the single ‘Back Home in Coventry’ is finally released by Coventry superband Lieutenant Pigeon and the band reckon it would make a great City of Culture anthem.
This track will appeal to Coventrians who are old enough to know what nostalgia is. The guys have, of course, been making music for over 50 years and they know a thing or two about how to write a catchy song. Search ‘Back Home in Coventry’ on YouTube to check it out..
Abz
Fresh from singing to Camilla at Central Library, superstar to be Abz Winter is releasing yet another powerful anthem in the shape of B.S..
It’s about a guy who tells you everything you want to hear and thinking that maybe this is the one – only as it turns out he’s definitely not!
The genre of the music is mixed with an electro – dance type beat and a strong rhythmic baseline that pushes your desire to move and dance.
Written by Abz Winter, produced by Matt Waddell and mixed and mastered by Elixir Prods.
I asked Abz a few questions in between her royal duties. Tell me more about your singing to royalty today? “She was so nice, I sang ‘Incompatible Me’, ‘Falling For You’ and ‘I See Red’.
“Today was gifted to me by Deelaydee, we were going to do it together, all to do with the City Of Culture Front Room Sessions Album and we had collaborated on ‘One Life in 2020’.
“Danielle thought it was better suited to me, as they wanted more acoustic and she is more urban – it’s actually the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a long time.”
So when is the album expected and are there any post-lockdown live shows planned?
“The album should be out by the end of the year – the way to do it now is to release five or six songs then put the album out.
“I’ve got a few gigs lined up all being well In Coventry with the City Of Culture, I’m hoping to headline a show at the Shakespeare Bar and Club in Stratford on August 13 and I’m supporting Ruby J (Voice Kids Contestant) at the Kitchen Garden Cafe on September 2.
“I’m gigging at the Red Lion In Hunningham on the June 21 if restrictions end that day and August the 30.
“All of these obviously dependant on Covid vanishing.”
