An incredible heart ‘n’ soul story continues this spring with the release of Reel People’s first original album in over a decade, Love2. Produced by core collective Oli Lazarus, Mike Patto and Toni Economides, and with a fresh vocal line-up including Raheem DeVaughn, Muhsinah, Chantae Cann, Michael Champion, Paula, Jill Rock Jones, Eric Roberson and Arrested Development’s Speech, this super-fine, 10-track opus marks a further powerful evolution of the Reel People sound. Weaving contemporary R&B sensibilities into the collective’s classic grooved-out flow, Love2 embraces the out-and-out euphoria of love but offers an entirely unique voice.
Following the epic cascade of Love2’s short but exuberant Intro comes cosmic neo-soul glide Save A Lil Love. Fronted by New Jersey’s smooth yet engaging Eric Roberson, and built upon swirls of spacious synths, heightened rhythms, the track instantly reminds of Reel People’s renown for quality production whilst plumbing new emotive depths. Everything’s So Crazy, performed by US songstress Jill Rock Jones, digs similarly deep – another stirring demonstration of soulful flavour with Jones moving elegantly across languid guitars and spacious beats.
A swaggering piano stomp and some smart phrasing from Michael Champion give If I Was Your Man particular personality. On Fly, meanwhile, Paula ensures dextrous delivery meets snappy production to effectively convey the empowering sass and confidence she intends – “I’ve got one life to live y’all/And I’m sure as hell gonna live it.” It’s the first of two outings for the versatile Atlanta-based singer, who brings earthbound maturity and heft to later lilting and acoustic number Vibe despite its idealistic lover’s gaze.
Déjà vu puts us, rather aptly, in mind of events that have already come to pass. Featuring Grammy-nominated US singer-songwriter Raheem DeVaughn, the track is melodic, honey-sweet bliss and further nods to Reel People’s effortless tapping of influences both old and new. Elsewhere, another gifted Atlanta artist Chantae Cann applies subtle, silky finesse to Dance In Her Eyes, with its warm, hazy and immersive glow, not to mention smart spoken word accompaniments courtesy of Dayne Jordan.
Moving on, Reel People’s final cuts continue to push new ground. Fizzing bars courtesy of Speech give the seriously groove-some I Never Knew pomp, pace and purpose, whilst Washington DC’s Muhsinah (a Grammy nominee like DeVaughn, with huge pedigree for disrupting soulful norms and forms) bosses closing number Something New - a powerful re-draft of the R&B rulebook which layers its song atop tight bossa tempos, sparkling synths and jagged electro-stutters. The contrast of flavours really grabs, as it does across the entire album.
Love2 is a monumental addition to the Reel People canon, following acclaimed album releases Second Guess, Seven Ways To Wonder and Retroflection.
New songs and sounds, but the same soulful passion and craftsmanship. New friends and flourishes but the same mission to move hearts, minds and dancefloors.
released March 24, 2023
1. Love2 Intro
Mike Patto / Oliver Lazarus / Antonis Economides
District 6 Music Publishing Ltd / Papa Music
Keyboards by Mike Patto
Drum Programming by Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
2. Save A Lil Love (feat. Eric Roberson)
Eric Roberson / Ben Jones / Mike Patto / Oliver Lazarus / Antonis Economides
Blue Erro Soul/EMI April Music Publishing (ASCAP) / District 6 Music Publishing Ltd / Papa Music / Copyright Control
Lead Vocals by Eric Roberson
Background Vocals by Eric Roberson, Paula & Vanessa Freeman
Keyboards by Mike Patto
Guitars by Ben Jones
Drum Programming by Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
Brass Arrangement & Score by Rafael Martini
Trumpet by Pedro Motta
Flugelhorn by Vagner Vieira
Tenor Saxophone by Breno Mendonça
Trombone by João Machala
3. Everything’s So Crazy (feat. Jill Rock Jones)
Denna Lewis / Mike Patto / Oliver Lazarus / Antonis Economides
Vertisechild (ASCAP) / District 6 Music Publishing Ltd / Papa Music
Vocals by Jill Rock Jones
Keyboards by Mike Patto
Bass by Ernie Mckone
Guitars by Joon Switon
Drum Programming by Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
4. If I Was Your Man (feat. Michael Champion)
Stephen Simmonds / Charlie Wiggins
Universal Publishing / Copyright Control
Lead Vocals by Michael Champion
Background Vocals by Michael Champion & Mike Patto
Keyboards & Hammond by Mike Patto
Guitars by Tony Remy
Bass by Ernie Mckone
Live & Programmed Drums by Vidal Davis & Steve McKie
Additional Drum Programming by Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
Brass Arrangement by Mike Patto & Oli Lazarus
Scored by Rafael Martini
Trumpet by Pedro Motta
Flugelhorn by Vagner Vieira
Tenor Saxophone by Breno Mendonça
Trombone by João Machala
5. Fly (feat. Paula)
Paula Champion / Pete Kuzma / Mike Patto / Oliver Lazarus / Antonis Economides
Modern Works Music Publishing / District 6 Music Publishing Ltd / Papa Music / Copyright Control
All Vocals by Paula
Keyboards by Pete Kuzma
Drum Programming by Pete Kuzma, Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
6. Deja Vu (feat. Raheem DeVaughn)
Raheem DeVaughn / Mike Patto / Oliver Lazarus / Antonis Economides
Ahmads World Publishing (ASCAP) / District 6 Music Publishing Ltd / Papa Music
Vocals by Raheem DeVaughn
Keyboards by Mike Patto
Guitars by Tony Remy
Drum Programming by Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
Percussion by João Caetano
7. Dance In Her Eyes (feat. Chantae Cann & Dayne Jordan)
Simon Grey / Adrian Zagoritis / Mike Patto / Oliver Lazarus / Antonis Economides
Shimmer Music Publishing / District 6 Music Publishing Ltd / Papa Music / Copyright Control
Lead Vocals by Chantae Cann
Rap by Dayne Jordan
Background Vocals by Chantae Cann, Paula & Dayne Jordan
Keyboards by Mike Patto
Guitars by Francisco Sales
Drum Programming by Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
Percussion by João Caetano
8. Vibe (feat. Paula)
Paula Champion / Isaiah Champion / Ben Jones / Mike Patto / Oliver Lazarus / Antonis Economides
District 6 Music Publishing Ltd / Papa Music / Copyright Control
Lead Vocals by Paula
Outro Background Vocals by Paula, Vanessa Freeman & Mike Patto
Keyboards, Piano & Hammond by Mike Patto
Guitars by Ben Jones & Tony Remy
Bass by Khari Cabral Simmons
Drum Programming by Eric Lau, Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
Drums by Matt Cooper
Percussion by João Caetano
9. I Never Knew (feat. Speech)
Todd Thomas / Pete Kuzma / Mike Patto / Oliver Lazarus / Antonis Economides
Speech Music Publishing (BMI) / Modern Works Music Publishing / District 6 Music Publishing Ltd / Papa Music
Lead Vocals by Speech
Background Vocals by Speech, Paula, Tasha LaRae, Vanessa Freeman & Rambo
Keyboards by Pete Kuzma & Mike Patto
Guitars by Francisco Sales
Drum Programming by Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
Brass Arrangement by Mike Patto & Oli Lazarus
Scored by Rob Lee
Trumpet by Sid Gauld
Tenor Saxophone by Steve Hamilton
Trombone by Patrick Hartley
10. Something New (feat. Muhsinah)
Muhsinah Abdul-Karim / Mike Patto /Oliver Lazarus / Antonis Economides
Haveusina Publishing (SESAC) / District 6 Music Publishing Ltd / Papa Music
Lead Vocals by Muhsinah
Backing Vocals by Muhsinah & Choklate
Keyboards by Mike Patto
Drum Programming by Mike Patto, Oli Lazarus & Toni Economides
Raheem DeVaughn appears courtesy of DeVaughn MultiMedia Group
Speech appears courtesy of Vagabond Productions
Eric Roberson appears courtesy of Blue Erro Soul Music
Muhsinah appears courtesy of Muhsinah Unlimited
Chantae Cann appears courtesy of The Love Heals Enterprise
Recording Engineers:–
Toni Economides @ Bambu Studios, London
Ben Holst @ 800 East Studios, Atlanta
Vidal Davis @ Vidal’s Place, Philadelphia
Daz-I-Kue @ Edgewood Studios, Atlanta
Ernie Mckone @ Boogie Back Studios, London
Rafael Dutra @ Studio Motor, Belo Horizonte
Tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 & 10 Mixed by Toni Economides @ Bambu Studios, London
Tracks 2, 4, 7, 9 Mixed by Clinton McCreery @ Bambu Studios, London
All tracks mastered by Clinton McCreery @ Bambu Studios, London
A&R & Executive Production by Oli Lazarus
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