Format Details: Limited Edition C
Release Date: 10 December 2021
Label: O.M. SWAGGER
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5070000123561
Description
Formed in 1969 and based in Maida Vale, West London, the Ebony Steel Band celebrate their 50th anniversary this summer. Last year they took up producer Ian Shirley’s challenge to interpret classic Kraftwerk tracks on steel drums. Seminal electronic songs like The Model, Spacelab, Neon Lights, Tour De France, The Robots, Computer Love and Computer World were arranged for Ebony’s 11-piece line-up taking a metal on metal instrumental approach to Kraftwerk’s visionary music. Shirley also got the Ebony Steel Band to take on older material like Europe Endless, Kometenmelodie 2 as well as serving up an amazing interpretation of Tanzmusik as Tanzmusik (Jump Up). The Ebony Steel band have an international reputation. They have won the prestigious Notting Hill Carnival Panorama competition 22 times, play live gigs alone or with artists like Billy Ocean. Most of the band are in their 20s and their spiritual home is the Yaa Centre in Maida Vale where they have their permanent rehearsal space. It was here that they learned Kraftwerk songs arranged by Dephina “Panness� James and honed them in rehearsal before recording commenced. The LP was recorded in two sessions at The Pool in Elephant and Castle in April 2018 and 2019. Songs like The Model, Spacelab, Neon Lights and Tour De France sound truly amazing as instrumentals played by the Ebony Steel Band. Also, the ‘bass’ section of the Ebony Steel Band is comprised of two players whose ‘kit’ comprises of seven full size oil drums – so there really is some low end on these recordings as well as Kraftwerk’s memorable and hypnotic melody lines played by a front line of ‘tenor’ pans.
Tracklisting
Don Rendell
The Artwoods
Spoon Fazer
Ebony Steel Band
Ebony Steel Band
Trevor Bastow
Spoon Fazer
The Delphina James Steel Ensemble
Ebony Steel Band
