CRYSTAL CLEAR LP IS LIMITED TO 500 COPIES. INSTANT COLLECTOR’S ITEM.
Record Kicks presents the 15th anniversary edition of “Return of the Iron Monkey”, the legendary soul-jazz-funk album from Trio Valore, the British supergroup that features Steve White (The Style Council) on drums, Damon Minchella (Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller, Richard Ashcroft) on bass and Seamus Beaghen (Madness, Desmond Dekker, Tom Jones) on Hammond organ. Originally released in October 2008, the album rapidly reached a cult status amongst mods, soul and rare groove fans and the vinyl has been sold out for a long time now. The 15th Anniversary reissue will be released on November 17th on limited edition Crystal Clear LP and “digital deluxe edition”. The digital deluxe edition features two bonus tracks: “Put Em Down (Muro Di Gomma mix)“, which originally appeared as B side of the “Rehab” 45, and a cover of Roy Budd’s classic “Get Carter“.
Trio Valore has heavyweight roots in funk, jazz, soul and the modernist tradition combined with exemplary musicianship. Steve White joined The Style Council at the age of 17, and is considered by many to be the UK’s finest drummer of his generation, playing on 15 albums with the legendary Paul Weller. As a solo artist, Steve has released 4 albums. As a sideman, he’s been one of the founders of the Acid Jazz movement with Galliano and he played with The Young Disciples, JTQ and Working Week, through to New Orleans legend Dr John, the late great Ian Dury and Brit Pop icons Oasis. Recognized as the youngest musician to perform at Live Aid in Wembley in 1985, Steve has performed at Live 8 as well. Damon Minchella formed Brit Pop heroes Ocean Colour Scene, going on to sell over 3 million albums before leaving in 2004, has also been the first call bassist for Paul Weller for over 12 years. He has performed a with a whole host of other artists, including The Who, Dr John, Jimmy Page, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse and Carleen Anderson. Seamus Beaghen has played with a staggering list of artists including Iggy Pop, Morrissey, Supergrass, Babyshambles, Paul Weller, David Gray, Death In Vegas, Alabama 3, Madness, The Grid, Desmond Dekker, Barry Adamson and Tom Jones.
Together as Trio Valore they sing a simple song, they preach a sermon of groove and carry the torch of a great legacy forward, aiming their music at the heart and the feet – a dance band in the old school style. The 12 tracks of “Return of the Iron Monkey” are full of floor-shaking Hammond grooves, heavy deep funk & super dancefloor mod-jazz tunes. Amongst the album’s highlights are the super hip versions of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab”, Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire” and the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” alongside groovy original compositions such as the boogaloo soul number “Dam Square” or the dancefloor jazz album’s title track.
