Please note this is an old page and Fly Global Music has now moved. Please follow this link and search for the entry in the new site.

Towards the end of last year, Domu’s Return of the Rogue was the last time we heard from Dominic Stanton aka Sonar Circle, Rima, Bakura, Umod or one of his many other projects; like the collaboration with Buju Volcov (aka Isoul8) or his long list of excellent remixes like Douglas Pagan, Break Reform, Daedelus, the Baker Brothers or Ben Westbeech.

As you can guess, it’s not entirely the Domu you know and love as this is a vehicle for the beautiful soulful tones of Mr. Simpson. Of course, what Domu brings is a knowledge and experience of a whole range of genres and Fly type beats.

Diversity is the key you might say and if you were at recent Electric Picnic or at Cargo back in March, you’ll have seen a live band performance of these tracks which must have been superb.

The first single, ‘I Won’t Give Up’ is a prime example of a smooth shufflin’ summer broken samba with jazzy synth rays of sunshine and guitar lines. Add to all this the production expertise of Mike Patto (Reel People) and Pete Kuzma (Jill Scott/’High And Dry’) and you’ve got something that sounds old and new all at the same time.

Like the title track, inspired by a speech by Martin Luther King, it tells of learning from the past and Simpson’s heros are clearly soul greats like Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Originally from Yorkshire, he apparently discovered the power of gospel music in Sheffield. That led to loads of touring and session work and he’s currently a member of The Unabombers’ Elektrons project.

It takes a little getting used to as the result sounds like a James Ingram/Michael McDonald period brought up-to-date; like ‘Second Chance’ and ‘Coming Back Around’ the titles and lyrics of which have a touch of double entendre to emphasises the point.

Sometimes these projects seem a little too clever for their own good but not this one. Far less obvious than the remake of Odyssey’s ‘Inside Out’ by Belezamusica (just been released on Soul Love that’s getting strong reactions) or the tongue in cheek of Talc.

If the future of soul is in the past, Look A Little Further is the present you need. Forget Classic Gold Wave 80’s FM, get down your record store and get this; I know you’ll find a way to love this — don’t give up, won’t give up!

Hectic Mix Nominations: ‘Don’t Hide’, ‘Coming Back Around’, ‘Second Chance’, ‘Won’t Give Up’, ‘Look A Little Further’, ‘Ain’t No Fool’

Reviewed: Domu Presents Pete Simpson — Look A Little Further (Papa Records) Cat. No. Release Date: 24th September 2007
Tracklisting
1. Don’t Hide
2. Ain’t No Fool
3. Won’t Give Up
4. Look A Little Further
5. Play This Song
6. It Won’t Mean A Thing
7. I’m Left Dreaming
8. Second Chance
9. The Way I See
10. Coming Back Around

Links:
www.myspace.com/domupresentspetesimpson
Domu www.myspace.com/sonarcircle
www.paparecords.co.uk
www.myspace.com/paparecords1
www.electricpicnic.ie
www.cargo-london.com Cargo 83 Rivington St Kingsland Viaduct Shoreditch London EC2A 3AY
Domu presents Pete Simpson is the brand spanking new project from East London’s soulful underground label Papa Records, and on Friday 23rd March they’ll be debuting their new live set up at Cargo, performing songs from their forthcoming album ‘Look A Little Further’ with a full 8-piece band.
Gilles Peterson :: Thursday 6th September :: Little Dragon and The Elektrons Live in Session
Gilles Peteson :: Sunday 6 August :: live from The Big Chill 2006 inc The Unabombers interview
The Elektrons ft Pete Simpson — ‘Sunshine Love’ (Genuine)