The Brand New Heavies — Dream On Dreamer
Brother Sister · 1994
Label: Delicious Vinyl · Genre: Funk / Acid Jazz / Funk · Country: United Kingdom · From: London, Europe
The Brand New Heavies formed in Ealing, West London in 1985 and became the anchor act of the acid jazz scene that emerged around Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud label and the Acid Jazz Records shop on Greek Street. Brother Sister, their third album, arrived in 1994 fronted by N’Dea Davenport, a Detroit-born singer who transformed their sound from an instrumental funk trio into one of the most commercially successful British soul acts of the decade. Dream On Dreamer reached the UK Top 10. Midnight at the Oasis, a cover of Maria Muldaur’s 1974 song, went to number four. The album debuted at number four on the UK charts and was certified platinum. It was N’Dea Davenport’s final album with the group before departing for a solo career, making it both a peak and a farewell.
Did you know: George Michael sampled the drum beat from Brand New Heavies’ ‘Never Stop’ for his 1992 hit ‘Too Funky’ — without permission initially. The group discovered the sample after the song became a hit and the two parties settled amicably, with the Heavies receiving a credit on later pressings.
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