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Reel People's 'Second Guess' receives second coming on Defected

Author: cds@tranzfusion
Friday, March 3, 2006
Reel People re-write the musical rulebook combining the finest traditions of 70s soul and boogie with modern broken beat and house elements, Reel People are a unique phenomenon in the current musical landscape . . And it just got better.
Now picked up by Defected, this re-release comes with fresh new material and a bonus disc of exclusive live tracks and remixes

Forget everything you thought you knew about dance music. Forget everything you've been told about UK produced soul. Forget your doubts that an act from the cool London underground could ever crossover into mainstream acceptance; Reel People are here and with debut album "Second Guess" they're about to rewrite the rulebook.

Originally released as a limited edition run on UK based Papa Records in late 2003 "Second Guess" gained stand-out reviews in most major publications and received heavy club support, thanks not least to four unforgettable singles plucked from the collection 'Can't Stop', 'Butterflies', 'Second Guess' and 'The Light'.

Utilising the awesome vocal talents of Vanessa Freeman (Chilli Funk), Angela Johnson (Cooly's Hot Box), Dyanna Fearon (D-Influence) and relative newcomer Jag, "Second Guess" delivered a set of infectious songs that unified soul aficionados and house music fanatics alike.
Special guest appearances by producers Phil Asher (Restless Soul), Domu (Sonar Kollectiv), Seiji and Afronaut (Bugz In The Attic) also lent "Second Guess" a not-to-be bettered production calibre, assisting Reel People in their goal to produce the best possible album attainable.

Fusing expert song crafting skills with tight, contemporary production, marrying accomplished musicianship with an urgency that holds the dancefloor's attention, combining the finest traditions of 70s soul and boogie with modern broken beat and house elements, Reel People are a unique phenomenon in the current musical landscape.

After re-examining their mission statement, and under the careful nurturing of their new home - Defected Records - Reel People have taken a second look at "Second Guess" and introduced three brand new tracks that are set to rekindle the album's fire and ignite dancefloors all over again.

Lead single "The Rain" features the stunning vocals of Sharlene Hector (Basement Jaxx) and is already a huge favourite amongst the lucky few DJs who received copies during it's limited initial mail out. Second single "In The Sun" is a wonderfully adventurous, multi-layered dancefloor juggernaut. Reminiscent of P-Funk's best moments, but with a vibe that you couldn't mistake for anybody but Reel People, the song could quite possibly be their finest moment to date. The new presentation is completed by a cover version of the Thelma Houston classic "You Used To Hold Me So Tight", the latter two tracks both recorded with vocalist Angela Johnson.

Couple these new additions to an already incendiary collection of hook-laden songs and herein you will find that rarest of things; a timeless soul album, as relevant on today's re-release as it will be in a decade's time.

Bear witness people, the second coming of "Second Guess" is upon us.

'Astonishingly Assured Debut' - Time Out

'Devine and Inspired' - Blues & Soul

'Oozing Style and Class' - M8

'Fresh and uncomplicated' - Straight No Chaser

'A vibe that is delicious and an album that is world class' - DJ Mag

TRACKLISTING

CD1

1. 'The Rain'
2. 'In The Sun'
3. 'Can't Stop'
4. 'Second Guess'
5. 'Back 2 Base'
6. 'Washing Away'
7. 'You Used To Hold Me So Tight'
8. 'Steppin'
9. 'The Light'
10. 'Butterflies'
11. 'Second Guess- The Destination'

CD2 - Bonus Disc

1. 'Butterflies' (Live Version)
2. 'You Used To Hold Me So Tight' (Live Version)
3. 'Can't Stop' (Live Version)
4. 'Washing Away' (Live Version)
5. 'The Light' (Live Version)
6. 'The Rain' (Live Version)
7. 'Can't Stop' (Dennis F's Falling 4 U Mix)
8. 'Butterflies' (Restless Soul Soul Heaven Mix)