Review: Robert Burbridge ft. André Espeut - Leaf (Tangential Music)

We often think of turning over a new leaf every year in January and what better way to start with the single by Robert Burbridge ft. Andre Espeut called simply, 'Leaf'?

  

Well, it's a bit of a surpise actually as we know Mr Burbridge as he's mates with Richard E (now a LA resident and he's OK post fire) as he did a remix to Richard's 'Too The Moon' track (see review HERE).

And he's teamed up with the well known voice  of André Espeut, as in Inkswell (see review HERE), King Bee (see review HERE) - Ed. André Espeut is always in demand.

And there's definitely some synchronicity between the two of them as André's "lyrics and hook-laden vocals" top the string laden 'stadium' pop-rock sound of the track.  

It's a bit of a grower as it's like a Balearic friendly version on the Stones with touches of Mod, gospel and soul.

Quite a lot different to the last release from the label on YATM, Franck Biyong's 'Radio Masoda' that came out towards the end on last year (see review HERE) but equally as likely to get on the radio: perhaps this does mean everything.

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/leaf

Artist: Robert Burbridge ft. Andre Espeut 

Title: Leaf

Release date: 16th January, 2024

Label : Tangential Music

Catalog Number : TBC

Format :  Digital 

Review: King Bee - Good To Be Back ft. Andre Espeut (Ramrock Red Records)

Can you feel a new jazz dance Brit funk happening?  Well, it's on the cards as King Bee says it's 'Good To Be Back'.

Once more, Ramrock Red Records (and Mrs Ramrock, Jo Wallace in particular) have got their finger on the UK pulse and this time it's in Newcastle we find this powerhouse of a seven piece band that features the classic three horn front line with vibraphone!

Think Incognito mixed with the Chevalier Brothers doing jazz-funk like Morrissey Mullen/Beggar & Co. brought up to date like BunnDebrett Quintet, that's a bit of a challenge to get your jazzdance feet around but definitely worth it.

And on this mighty single, in addition to the instrumental version, there's two versions featuring the vocals of Andre Espeut who you may not recognise the name but his soulful vocals have quite rightly been sought after on countless releases.

Indeed, this is not King Bee's first recorded outing eithre as they released their first single in 2016 and found fans in Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music) and went onto be remixed by DJ Smoove (yes, another fellow of the North East and to be found on forthcoming Smoove & Turrell's single 'The Light', featuring Ronnie Foster on Jalapeno Records). [Note: that's Ronnie Foster of jazz label Blue Note!]

DJ Robbie Vincent and another serious soul-funk remixer, The Relex, are also counted King Bee fans and it's easy to see why as sounding like 'Good To Be Back', they must be brilliant live; particularly going on the reworked vocal version with extra basslines and acid-jazz organ, but it's all fantastic.

Artist: King Bee

Title: Good To Be Back ft. Andre Espeut 

Release date: 31st July, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR046

Format: Bandcamp / Digital