- Mamas Gun
-
For the Erykah Badu album, see Mama's Gun.
Mama's Gun Origin London Genres Pop, funk, soul Years active 2008–present Labels Candelion Associated acts Beverley Knight, Corinne Bailey Rae, Guillemots, Erykah Badu, Cinema Prague, Air Ensemble Website http://www.mamasgun.co.uk/ Members Andy Platts
'Professor' Rex Horan
Dave 'Eighties' Burnell
Terry 'Spiller' Lewis
'Union' Jack PollittMamas Gun are a five-piece soul funk band based in London and released their debut album 'Routes To Riches' in 2009. They have promoted, toured and released material from this album in over 9 countries achieving considerable exposure and support. In late 2009 the band became an overnight success in Japan where they became the most played international artist in Japan. They are slated to release their sophomore effort, 'The Life and Soul', on the 6th of June, 2011.[1]
Contents
History
Formation
The band was formed by Andy Platts, the lead singer/composer/producer in 2007 and was joined by bassist 'Professor' Rex Horan, keyboardist Dave 'Eighties' Burnell, Terry 'Spiller' Lewis and drummer 'Union' Jack Pollitt after scanning the internet for inspiring and talented musicians.
Andy Platts was born in a military hospital in Kowloon, Hong Kong, to a nomadic father who had landed in the Far East as a police recruit in their battles with underground triad organisations, Platts soaked up the musical ether that surrounded him (which included the Beatles, the Doors and ELO from his father, and a Filipino mother who played Spanish-influenced guitar), attending countless schools in the process before winning a place at Liverpool’s LIPA institute. Subsequently, Platts played on Corinne Bailey Rae’s hugely successful debut album and then, in 2006, landed his own publishing deal with Zomba Music. This led to collaborations with an extraordinary song-writing A-list that included Rod ‘Thriller’ Temperton, John Oates, Jed Leiber (son of hit-making legend Jerry) and former Gil Scott-Heron collaborator Brian Jackson.[2]
The band is named after Erykah Badu album Mama's Gun.[3]
Music
UK Releases
Mamas Gun first single, "Pots of Gold", was released in August 2008 on Candelion Records and was playlisted on BBC Radio 2 with Chris Evans championing the track. Following its success, Mamas Gun recorded their debut album and released their next single "Let's Find A Way" in June 2009. In September 2009, Mamas Gun released their third single "You Are The Music" and their debut album "Routes To Riches" followed in October 2009. The album was co-produced by Producer/Engineer Julian Simmons at his private studio Din in East London, mixed by Producer/Engineer Jack Joseph Puig at Ocean Way, Los Angeles and mastered by Bob Ludwig.
On February 28, 2010 Mamas Gun released "Wishing, which was playlisted on BBC Radio 2, Jazz Fm and Smooth Radio.
Japan Releases
Routes To Riches was released in November 2009 and achieved a number 3 sales slot on the Japanese Billboard charts.[4]
Discography
Albums
Year Album details 2009 Routes to Riches - Released: 28 September 2009
- Deluxe Edition Released: 1 March 2010
- Label: Candelion
- Formats: CD, Deluxe CD, Digital download
2011 The Life And Soul - Release: 6 June 2011.[5]
Singles
Year Single Album 2008 "Pots of Gold" Routes to Riches 2009 "Let's Find a Way" "You Are the Music" 2010 "Finger On It"/
"Wishing"Routes to Riches: Deluxe Edition Videography
- "You Are the Music" (2009)
- "Let's Find a Way" (unnofficial video) (2010)
- "Finger On It" (2010)
- "Pots of Gold" (2010)
- "On a String" (2011)
Critical reception
Despite their being relatively unknown, the band have received almost universal good reviews in the press. Uncut (magazine) gave Routes to Riches four stars, saying "[It's a] masterclass in blue-eyed bubblegum soul, as heart-warmingly catchy as anything from Stevie Wonder's '70s purple patch". The Guardian said the band perform "gorgeous, melting soft rock” and “redolent of Young Disciples' long-lost 90s Brit-soul classic Apparently Nothin'". They were also featured in The Times' Why you must hear feature.
References
External links
Categories:- Musical groups from London
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
