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.

Grand Union say they sound like “The Fifth Dimension meeting Pentangle in Berwick Street in 1967”. Luckily enough, that’s not far from the truth on the basis this four track 10”. Kate Vahl (vocals), Simon O’Grady (guitar/flute), Casper Sewell (bass), Leigh Rose (violin/guitar) and Gerry Wood (drums) have produced something that’s a little bit different that’ll touch lovers of great records.

The lead track, ‘Jane Jane’ and ‘Hares On The Mountain’ touch the Wicker Man of Tunng with flute and violin solos featuring. ‘Jane Jane’ is uptempo and Kate’s vocal reminds a little of Willis on this one. ‘Wonderful World’ is more reminiscent of the 1960’s and it’s enough to make you believe (if for only 3 minutes) it is really is a wonderful world.

Now there’s no point in adding a version of ‘Motherless Child’ to your collection for the sake of it but I never thought I’d hear a folk version as compelling as this. The blues of the Kate’s vocals with Simon and Casper on backing vocals leads us into an emotive rendition. The drums and double bass find the ‘jazz’ that really kicks off with the flute solo.

Just in case you missed it, Jazzman released a 7” of Kathleen Emery’s ‘Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child’ backed with a Will Quantic mix; needless to say, that is also essential.

Back with Grand Union, their debut album Through The Green Fuse is out on Oct 2nd 2006 and lets hope it’s as good as the 10”. Check out their myspace site for more information.

Gigs:
XFM Session 15th October
Sunday 22nd October : Live at The I.C.A., London.

Reviewed: Grand Union — ‘Jane Jane’ (People Tree Records) Cat. No. SEED02T 10” Release date: 2006
Tracklisting:
A1. Jane Jane (2:52)
A2. Wonderful World (2:44)
B1. Hares On The Mountain (3:42)
B2. Motherless Child (4:29)

Links:
www.myspace.com/grandunionuk
www.myspace.com/peopletreerecords
Kathleen Emery — ‘Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child’ (Jazzman) Cat.No. JM. 050 7” www.jazzmanrecords.co.uk
Gilles Peterson :: Tracklistings: 18/7/2002 :: Lucky Pierre — ‘Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child’ (Melodic)