Just in time for the start of the summer of 2011 comes the release of the self titled debut album by Hollie Cook (daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook) on Mr Bongo Recordings. Her self-coined 'Tropical pop' sound is a bit of a misnomer since the album is really an homage to British Lover's Rock reggae singers Janet Kay and Phyllis Dillon crossed with the sound of classic 60s girl soul and pop groups. In a summer that promises to be chock full of great ska and reggae releases, Cook's album could end up being one of the best of the year. Don't believe me? Read the glowing review the BBC gave the album today.
The album is produced by Cook's collaborator Mike Pelanconi, better known as Prince Fatty who has roped in the talents of of the Father of the Lover's Rock sound Dennis Bovell along with Jamaican singing icon George Dekker (Desmond Dekker's brother) of The Pioneers and dub reggae drummer Style Scott to assist. The debut single 'That Very Night; garnered significant attention and radio play in the U.K. with leading British DJ's Steve Lamacq (BBC Radio 2/6 Music), Rob Da Bank (Radio 1), John Kennedy (XFM) and David Rodigan (Kiss) among her many fans and supporters.
The album is released on June 6th but you can stream five of the tracks below, including Cook's second single which is a cover of the Shangri-La's 'Remember (Walkin' In The Sand)' which has been transformed from a dark song into one filled with hope (buy a copy of the single on iTunes). Originally released in 1964 as Shangri-Las’ debut single, it went straight to number #5 in the US Billboard charts, catapulting the teenage girls from Queens, New York into a household name. Here's to hoping Cook's cover can do the same for her in the U.K.
Milk & Honey by Hollie Cook
Walking In The Sand by Hollie Cook
Shadow Kissing by Hollie Cook
Body Beat by Hollie Cook
Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteJust got the album, its fantastic
I'll have to wait til I'm home to listen to all these exciting clips, but just on George Dekker.
ReplyDeleteBeing a huge fan of George Dekker and the Pioneers, I asked Stranger Cole whether he was actually the brother of Desmond, and he responded with a definite no, that he would have just adopted that name for recognition sake. I tend to believe him, though he is a little uncertain about certain details of the past.