From Reel to Reel we go…. Reel People, the underground’s live and much loved jazz-funk, jazz-house soulsters, are back with a new album – Reel People Present The Golden Lady - and it sounds much like their last opus, released nearly three years ago. That’s a good thing by the way.
“Reel People is still very much Reel People,” the outfit’s mastermind Oli Lazarus confirms. “We’re using the same formula; we’ve polished and perfected that because we know it works and it’s what our audience wants, be they DJs, clubbers or whatever. Sure, we’ve grown more fully into our sound, but it’s a constant sound. It doesn’t have to be about relentless progression, even though this fast-paced club scene of ours would have you believe so.”
Of course, Lazarus’ funky enterprise has experienced some pretty major evolution over the past two years, if not ‘on record’ or stage. The original Reel People set-up, based on a close-knit group of talented singers, musicians and studio folk (overseen by Lazarus,) has spiralled into something much more holistic – a business, a brand, a movement. Today, Reel People is the band, yes, but also a label, a swathe of new artists on that label, remixes, events….
“What we’re doing is still extremely creative, and for the love of the music, but let’s not forget that Reel People is a business, and needs to be run as such… successfully” Lazarus explains. “In life, you try to make the right decisions, and the big ones are always scary. I’ve taken a step back from the band, and looked long and hard at what we’re doing; therefore I’ve launched frameworks around it.”
The Reel People Music label launched in 2009; as well as offering a dedicated outlet for new Reel People songs, it started introducing new artists like Seattle chanteuse Choklate and afro-dance enthusiast Renn able to pursue Reel People’s stylistic agenda in the same beat as their own. A new Reel People Music club night Messages, unveiled last November in London, has further broadened the ‘Reel’ appeal and reach.
“I think the move is definitely paying off already” Lazarus suggests. “We’ve been able to increase our artistic influence through all these various channels; they feed and support one another, and therefore make more noise. The band, anyway, changes every few months as new players come and go, so the move is making more and more sense to me.”
Back on talk of business, however, the restructuring has also, surely, given Lazarus’ operation greater financial solidity?: “Absolutely. There are always challenges in this business and finances remain difficult for a lot of artists and labels. When you consider, too, we have something of a touring requirement with a band like Reel People, there are additional costs to worry about.”
But requirement is probably the wrong word to use. Asked whether he prefers the creative spark that illuminates a window-less studio, or the adrenaline rush that carries great live music from stage to dancefloor, he’s unable to decide; he loves both… both are a pleasure, neither a requirement.
“I love working with music and with so many fantastic musicians and artists” he beams. “It’s an indescribable feeling when you create a great piece of music, but equally, the touring is amazing. There’s always a lot to organise but there’s no greater connection with people than playing live to them. In these tough times, I think it’s more important than ever. People need the lift live music can give them.”
So what of the new album then? What kind of a lift can we expect from Reel People Present The Golden Lady? “It’s short for an album, but sweet” Lazarus says. “It goes quickly but in a good way; you’ll look forward to each and every track, that’s certainly the feedback I’ve been getting.”
In essence Golden Lady is part artist album and part compilation, a twist neatly reflecting Lazarus’ fresh outlook on Reel People – collective responsibility. Star, the feel-good, jazz-funky Reel People track which, fronted by Incognito vocalist Tony Momrelle, launched Reel People Music, is present and correct; alongside other smooth offerings from the band (and Momrelle, alongside singers Darien and Shezar) such as Sure, retro boogie-monster 80s Love and that majestic Latin-edged Stevie Wonder cover, and title track, Golden Lady.
Elsewhere the band updates Simon Grey’s epic jazz-house lick The Galactica Suite and remixes Renn’s afro-bomb Nights In Africa, whilst nu-soul diva Choklate re-introduces last year’s silky Reel People Music smash The Tea, and Phil Asher test-drives new struttin’ funk alias restless soul Fun Band.
“Everything flows really nicely” Lazarus comments, “I really happy with how it’s all turned out. All of the songs complement one another, and the title track is particularly special. I have long loved that particular Stevie tune but Tony and I wanted to do something a little different with it, so we looked at Jose Feliciano’s Brazilian cover. Someone was talking to me about Tony’s vocals on that track the other day; they were blown away. I just think he sings from the heart; I try and surround myself with artists like that….”
Reel People’s new long-player feels like a worthy follow-up to previous albums Second Guess (2003, re-released by Defected in 2005) and Seven Ways To Wonder (2008,) and once again offers a suitably springy platform for heavy touring and more singles.
“I’m really looking forward to promoting Golden Lady” Lazarus beams. “We’re heading to Japan soon, before performing in a few other places. There’s more bits lined up over the summer, but Tony will be on tour with Sade then, so there’ll be a bigger push again at the end of the year. It’s great… there’s a lot of demand out there which is vital for our long-term plans. Gigs are the best way to make Reel People and everything the band is associated with accessible to audiences; we can’t wait to get in amongst them.”
One mustn’t, at any cost, forget Papa Records’ role in all of this. Papa, founded in 2001 and home to Reel People until the launch of its own splinter label, was Lazarus’ first imprint and remains central to his plans. Papa is changing sonic course these days; setting sail for deeper dancefloor waters in reaction, Lazarus claims, to clubland’s growing appetite for tougher four-to-the-floor. And yet there will be close ties to the ‘Reel’ brigade.
“Very close” he adds. “Sites like Beatport and Traxsource are massive channels for this deeper, tougher sound. Papa will acknowledge that influence but look to weave in the soulful stuff it, and Reel People were original founded on.”
Already, Lazarus is lining up some Dennis Ferrer-style action on Papa from Italian newcomer Aki Bergen (a single is due any week now) and looking to further amplify the profile of house protégés The Layabouts, with whom he achieved much last year – notably remixes for Spen and ‘Jellybean’ Benitez, a well received compilation and some extremely high-profile gigs.
“Personally, I think soulful dance music is still attached to an older following” Lazarus concludes. “There’s a lot of loyal support there which has always been good for us but I’m very conscious of opening up to a younger crowd this year and moving into new territories. We’re relatively young ourselves compared to many in the soul-house fraternity, and we have a desire to use other influences in our music; so long as that core soulful vibe isn’t lost.”
Reel People releases Reel People Present The Golden Lady via Reel People Music on February 28. Reel People single Sure, featuring Darien, drops February 3.
