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| CD-DETAILS PEACE LOVE & HARMONY [FRANCIS, WINSTON] |
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Peace Love & Harmony [Reggae]
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There's something so very wonderful and vital about a singer. The message that comes across is that of the star of the show, not an idea or a theme, or a general feeling, or a collection of sounds; the whole thing gets personalized.
"If I didn't know better, I would've thought it was Nat King Cole singing", quoted the great impresario writer who spotted the talent of the then 16 year-old Winston Francis, whose silk-toned voice has impressed more than one generation of great reggae producers.
Jamaican-born artist Winston Francis' recording career began at Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd's Studio One where he made a number of classic rocksteady hits, including a version of Joe South's "Games People Play" and the captivating "Reggae And Cry", while in combination with Alton Ellis he covered Junior Walker's soul hit "What Does It Take". He also recorded with producer Joe Gibbs as part of the Mellowtones, noted for their hit "Feel Good". In 1971 he relocated to the UK to promote his version of the Mamas And The Papas' pop hit "California Dreaming". In 1972 Francis began touring the club circuit and recorded sessions for EMI Records, including "Follow Your Star" and a version of "Blue Moon". Throughout the seventies he recorded a number of sessions in the UK, including a remake of "California Dreaming" with Danny Ray.
Winston Francis was coaxed back into the recording studio in 1987 when he sang backing vocals for the Melodians and performed for Trevor Star and the Skaticians, with whom he still sings. In 1993 Francis was approached by Dennis Bovell to record as a soul performer under the pseudonym of King Cool for the compilation "Jamaican Soul". He became a prominent performer in France when his interpretation of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" was released as a single, selling more than 90.000 copies.
Francis' European success resulted in the collaboration with Sly & Robbie playing soul tunes for his King Cool album debut. In the nineties Francis was asked by dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson to provide the vocals for a rocksteady revival project under the direction of the distinguished reggae guitarist John Kpiaye. Recently Winston Francis has teamed up with A.J. Franklin of the Chosen Few.
Now in 2007 "Peace, Love and Harmony" is released on the new-born Italian label Soul Love. Francis gives his smooth soulful treatment to a string of soul classics: from Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" to Elvis' "Suspicious Mind", from Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' "The Track Of My Tears" to his own classic "Mr. Fix It".
The CD is coupled with a full length DVD with footage of the studio sessions, backstage filming and appearances of the likes of Dennis Al Capone, Barry Biggs, A.J. Franklin and many more.
Tracklisting CD:
01. Track Of My Tears
02. Suspicious Minds
03. Little Nut Tree
04. I Think You've Got Your Fools Mixed Up
05. It's All In The Game
06. Rain From The Sky
07. Mr. Fix It
08. Now I know
09. Turn Your Lamp (Down Low)
10. Red Rose
11. Stand By Me
12. You're No Good
13. Go Go Away
14. Ten Times Sweeter Than You
15. Crying Over You
16. Sunny
17. Bonus Track: Swing And Dine feat. A.J. Franklin
(Quelle: Groove Attack, 6.6.2007)
FORMAT: CD + DVD Video
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