Description
Walking on Sunshine was a record that took over the UK in the summer of 1982. Written by the legendary Eddy Grant, this Rocker's Revenge remake led by the soulful tones of Donnie Calvin, was birthed during visits to the hallowed halls of Paradise Garage by way of Brooklyn's Music Factory record store, Intergalactic Studios in Manhattan and Blank Tape Studio for the final touches by Bob Blank, Jellybean Benitez and producer Arthur Baker.
It sold 50,000 records first week out in the UK, according to London Records Tracey Bennett, who signed the record after witnessing its power on a booze cruise up the Hudson River with his dad during a weekend trip to New York.
Over the decades, the song has remained a mainstay in many dj bag, including such dons as Damian Lazarus, Dimitri from Paris, Mousse T, Louie Vega and Groove Armada, who did a great remix package over 10 years ago.
It's summer and it's time for this classic to get a relook, this time with a pumping electric remix by Leeds new favourite sons, Yard Act, specifically James Smith, who also lends his voice to the proceedings. The group was turned on to the sunshine by Gorillaz' Remi Kabaka, while producing their sophomore album. According to Smith, this was their first exposure to Walking on Sunshine and that hearing it influenced the production on their album, which Baker contributed a remix of Trench Coat Museum for.
On the flip is a newly found remix from 1988 (!) by the legendary DJ Junior Vazquez in a house style that still sounds fresh as can be.
Rocker's Revenge are still making music and have has a documentary in post production which will finally see the light of day this year with festival screenings and a release by the end of 2025.
