Edward II (band)

Edward II (aka Edward II and the Red Hot Polkas and EII) were a UK band which played a fusion of reggae and English folk music. They went through several line-up changes but were a seven-piece for much of their career. They split up in 1999.

Musical style

Edward II had a unique style of music that could be described as the dance rhythms of the Caribbean blended with tradition-rooted English country dance tunes. According to Dirty Linen, "the multi-ethnic band takes that transcontinental journey one step further by mixing the heartbeat of Jamaican reggae and ska with the squeezebox sounds of English traditional dance music. The result is a unique, invigorating, blend." Formed in Gloucesterhire in 1985, the group was initially called, Edward II & the Red Hot Polkas." Their 1986 debut album, Two Step to Heaven, was a mostly instrumental effort produced by British dub producer Mad Professor, and included such tongue-in-jowl ditties as "Bjorn Again Polka" and the title track. By the time that they released "Zest", on its own label, in 1996, the group had shortened its name and increasingly incorporated reggae-flavored original tunes. Edward II's 1998 album, This Way Up, included some pure reggae tunes, including "Don't Let the Fire Go Out," but the album's best moments remained the more-culturally blended songs.

The band did two performances at the Cropredy Folk Festival held every year by Fairport Convention. One of these performances was released on CD entitled "Live at Cropredy".

Members

At various stages, members of the band included: T Carthy (bass), Glen Latouche (vocals), Gavin Sharp (sax and keyboards), and John Hart (trombone and guitar), who went on to perform together; Simon Care (melodeon), Neil Yates and Jon Moore (guitar and fiddle), who went on to form e2K; and Alton Zebby (drums). Phil Bell of PJ Bells, became their manager and attracted label interest, they signed with Zomba with a remix by Johnny Jay. It was a great reggae number remixed by Johnny and Neil, it would have lit up the Med if processed properly. It should gone to the DJ's on the Med - March April, released in Europe in May / June, in the UK September/October. Zomba didn't put the single out in the early spring of 94. They delayed it and put it out in October with zero promotion.

Albums

Under their former band name "Edward The Second and The Red Hot Polkas" they released:"Let's Polkasteady!" (1987) and "Two Step to Heaven" (1989).

Under Edward II they released:"Wicked Men", "Zest", "This Way Up", "Live at Cropredy"

Under E2k they released:"Shift" and "If Not Now"