Publication Date: 27th September 2006
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UKG First Play
Arguably the best packaged group of 2006, Leeds-based SoL have a real shot at putting UK gospel music on the global map...
2006 has been a strange kind of year.
In January things were a little vague. There was word of some activity on the UK gospel grapevine but there wasn't much on the radar to get me truly excited.
In the RnB/Soul world, familiar names were pressing on: RAYMOND & CO, FOUR KORNERZ and SIANI prepared their follow-on projects (to cite the three most obvious examples), and I was
fairly certain there would be the usual rash of releases from the prolific Hip-hop contingent. Garage and Grime were also looking good for new music.
However there wasn't anything totally fresh or new. I hadn't seen or heard of anyone new that offered a fully rounded package of a strong image and good music. Things were still running around the usual practice of strong demos that required further artist development.
Having said that, what has been absolutely fantastic to see is that the few players that eventually caught my eye (and ear) have come out from totally leftfield (in terms of sound as well as location) that - apologies for having to resort to a cliché - it has come as a complete
In January things were a little vague. There was word of some activity on the UK gospel grapevine but there wasn't much on the radar to get me truly excited.
In the RnB/Soul world, familiar names were pressing on: RAYMOND & CO, FOUR KORNERZ and SIANI prepared their follow-on projects (to cite the three most obvious examples), and I was
fairly certain there would be the usual rash of releases from the prolific Hip-hop contingent. Garage and Grime were also looking good for new music.
However there wasn't anything totally fresh or new. I hadn't seen or heard of anyone new that offered a fully rounded package of a strong image and good music. Things were still running around the usual practice of strong demos that required further artist development.
Having said that, what has been absolutely fantastic to see is that the few players that eventually caught my eye (and ear) have come out from totally leftfield (in terms of sound as well as location) that - apologies for having to resort to a cliché - it has come as a complete
breath of fresh air.
Backtrack to late summer 2005: my friend, the good Dr. LINDFORD 'JNR' GEORGE sent me an email about some guys he knew in Leeds, and reckoned they were a group I should follow up.
He said they were called SONS OF LIGHT.
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UK Gospel.com
Backtrack to late summer 2005: my friend, the good Dr. LINDFORD 'JNR' GEORGE sent me an email about some guys he knew in Leeds, and reckoned they were a group I should follow up.
He said they were called SONS OF LIGHT.
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UK Gospel.com
UKG First Play
SONS OF LIGHT comprises TOM GRAY and brothers
LANRE and ARINZE PHILLIP. They grew up together
and sang in their church choir ('VOICES OF
RECONCILIATION').
Since then, LANRE and TOM have also become
respected producers within the music industry,
and their self-titled debut album was written,
LANRE and ARINZE PHILLIP. They grew up together
and sang in their church choir ('VOICES OF
RECONCILIATION').
Since then, LANRE and TOM have also become
respected producers within the music industry,
and their self-titled debut album was written,
arranged and produced by the group. They clearly state their intention to make R&B for both Christian and secular audiences...
For their UKG First Play piece, I wanted to just get a quick snapshot of where the guys were at as a new act on the UK gospel scene, with a view to following up with a bigger feature later on.
Since then a couple of things have happened for the guys: they signed a two-album deal with the US-based AVISTA URBAN (biiiiiiig deal for them, and potentially for quality UK gospel music), and became number 1 on the UK Gospel.com-sponsored, UKG Presents-powered MP20 (most played 20 tracks) for August 2006.
This is the SONS OF LIGHT FIRST PLAY...
For their UKG First Play piece, I wanted to just get a quick snapshot of where the guys were at as a new act on the UK gospel scene, with a view to following up with a bigger feature later on.
Since then a couple of things have happened for the guys: they signed a two-album deal with the US-based AVISTA URBAN (biiiiiiig deal for them, and potentially for quality UK gospel music), and became number 1 on the UK Gospel.com-sponsored, UKG Presents-powered MP20 (most played 20 tracks) for August 2006.
This is the SONS OF LIGHT FIRST PLAY...
OK GUYS... QUICK RECAP/BACKGROUND STUFF...
We've pretty much known each other all our lives. Our parents were friends, and we all went to the same church as kids. I guess we've been making music together since our early teens.
We were all part of a previous band that had been born out of our church's choir. Initially we were just trying to do something that was a bit more inclusive for the youth in a lot of the churches we were ministering to as a choir.
Our vision now as 'S.o.L' is to just be making really upfront R&B music that can compete with the best of the secular world but that has the love and message of Christ at its heart...
TOM: As producers, myself and LANRE get to see lot of the
talent that is lying untapped in and around Leeds. Both in
terms of gospel and in the secular there is no shortage of
amazing artists up here hunting for that break.
Hopefully as a production team and also through the success of
We were all part of a previous band that had been born out of our church's choir. Initially we were just trying to do something that was a bit more inclusive for the youth in a lot of the churches we were ministering to as a choir.
Our vision now as 'S.o.L' is to just be making really upfront R&B music that can compete with the best of the secular world but that has the love and message of Christ at its heart...
TOM: As producers, myself and LANRE get to see lot of the
talent that is lying untapped in and around Leeds. Both in
terms of gospel and in the secular there is no shortage of
amazing artists up here hunting for that break.
Hopefully as a production team and also through the success of
AND YOU GUYS HAVE PUT LEEDS ON THE MAP. THERE'S GOT TO BE MORE OF THE SAME OUT THERE...
AND - BEING RELATIVE NEWCOMERS TO THE SCENE -
WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THE STATE OF THINGS NOW...?
AND - BEING RELATIVE NEWCOMERS TO THE SCENE -
WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THE STATE OF THINGS NOW...?
S.o.L we can open some doors for them.
Before we released this album we had been around a bit some years earlier on the live circuit. We toured with DAWKINS & DAWKINS as well as GOSPEL GANGSTAZ last time they were over here, so we had some experience of 'the scene' before promoting this project.
In the period of time since then, it has been great to see UK gospel moving forward so positively. Not only has the quality been getting better and better, but we've also now got every genre of Urban music being represented, from traditional choir stuff through to RnB, Ragga, Hip-hop and Grime, and that is really encouraging to see.
Also, In terms of gospel music as a whole, you've now got KIRK FRANKLIN videos getting played on MTV and acts like MARY MARY having chart success and I think it's really important for gospel music to be doing this, and pushing itself out there more...
Before we released this album we had been around a bit some years earlier on the live circuit. We toured with DAWKINS & DAWKINS as well as GOSPEL GANGSTAZ last time they were over here, so we had some experience of 'the scene' before promoting this project.
In the period of time since then, it has been great to see UK gospel moving forward so positively. Not only has the quality been getting better and better, but we've also now got every genre of Urban music being represented, from traditional choir stuff through to RnB, Ragga, Hip-hop and Grime, and that is really encouraging to see.
Also, In terms of gospel music as a whole, you've now got KIRK FRANKLIN videos getting played on MTV and acts like MARY MARY having chart success and I think it's really important for gospel music to be doing this, and pushing itself out there more...
OK, I HEAR THAT. DIFFERENT QUESTION, SIMILAR ANGLE: WHAT'S IT LIKE FOR A NEW GROUP (ESPECIALLY ONE THAT ISN'T FROM LONDON OR BIRMINGHAM) TO RAISE THEIR PROFILE IN THE UK INDUSTRY...?
It's hard!!! I think it's difficult for any artist outside of London to get exposure, but even more so sometimes when doing gospel music.
In our experience anyway, the gospel scene can sometimes be a bit insular, and occasionally there can be a bit of snootiness regarding acts from anywhere further north than Wolverhampton, but I think that is lessening over time as more and more quality artists start to push through.
There is often a certain amount of surprise though when people listen to the album and then find out it was made by 3 Northern monkeys from up in Leeds (ha ha ha!!) If you can
make a quality product though and are willing to get out on the road and promote it, then no matter where you're from people will eventually sit up and take notice.
In our experience anyway, the gospel scene can sometimes be a bit insular, and occasionally there can be a bit of snootiness regarding acts from anywhere further north than Wolverhampton, but I think that is lessening over time as more and more quality artists start to push through.
There is often a certain amount of surprise though when people listen to the album and then find out it was made by 3 Northern monkeys from up in Leeds (ha ha ha!!) If you can
make a quality product though and are willing to get out on the road and promote it, then no matter where you're from people will eventually sit up and take notice.
...there can be a bit of snootiness regarding acts
from anywhere further north than Wolverhampton...
from anywhere further north than Wolverhampton...
I WISH MORE PEOPLE HAD THAT ATTITUDE. QUALITY SPEAKS
FOR ITSELF. SPEAKING OF WHICH: THE DEBUT ALBUM CAME
OUT EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHAT'S THE RESPONSE BEEN LIKE SO
FAR...?
FOR ITSELF. SPEAKING OF WHICH: THE DEBUT ALBUM CAME
OUT EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHAT'S THE RESPONSE BEEN LIKE SO
FAR...?
It's been fantastic! Obviously we thought it was a good album and
we were proud of it, but the response has been a real blessing.
The reaction of people up and down the country has been
wonderful, and we thank God for what he's doing out there with
our music.
As well as the Christian scene though we're also really pleased with
the reaction from the mainstream too. We always wanted to make
something with cross-over potential and the reaction from the non-Christian crowd has been just as strong,
We're getting radio support now from STEVE SUTHERLAND on GALAXY(FM) and a lot of the 1XTRA team too, so it's good to see that gospel music can be accepted by the mainstream as well as the church.
After all it's those people who need to hear the message most.
we were proud of it, but the response has been a real blessing.
The reaction of people up and down the country has been
wonderful, and we thank God for what he's doing out there with
our music.
As well as the Christian scene though we're also really pleased with
the reaction from the mainstream too. We always wanted to make
something with cross-over potential and the reaction from the non-Christian crowd has been just as strong,
We're getting radio support now from STEVE SUTHERLAND on GALAXY(FM) and a lot of the 1XTRA team too, so it's good to see that gospel music can be accepted by the mainstream as well as the church.
After all it's those people who need to hear the message most.
WELL, FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, THE UKG FAMILY ARE REALLY LOCKING INTO IT
TOO. YOU GUYS WERE NUMBER 1 ON UKG MP20 FOR AUGUST 06, UK GOSPEL.COM'S 100% UK GOSPEL MUSIC CHARTS...
YOU TOPPED THE CHARTS WITH 188 PLAYS, MP20'S SECOND-HIGHEST NO 1 EVER,
BEHIND TRYUMF'S 'GHETTO SCRIPTURE' - AND THAT WAS BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2005!
PEOPLE ARE FEELING IT. WHAT CAN I SAY...? AND ON THE ALBUM, YOU COVER THE CLASSIC ALEXANDER O'NEAL TUNE, 'FAKE'. WHY....?
TOO. YOU GUYS WERE NUMBER 1 ON UKG MP20 FOR AUGUST 06, UK GOSPEL.COM'S 100% UK GOSPEL MUSIC CHARTS...
YOU TOPPED THE CHARTS WITH 188 PLAYS, MP20'S SECOND-HIGHEST NO 1 EVER,
BEHIND TRYUMF'S 'GHETTO SCRIPTURE' - AND THAT WAS BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2005!
PEOPLE ARE FEELING IT. WHAT CAN I SAY...? AND ON THE ALBUM, YOU COVER THE CLASSIC ALEXANDER O'NEAL TUNE, 'FAKE'. WHY....?
Wow! We're obviously ecstatic, properly over the moon. It's always great to have affirmation from the public that people are into what we're doing and that God is out there
using our music even as we write this.
We are big fans of ALEX and always thought it would be great to do something in that vein, but rather than doing a straight cover we wanted to tweak it a little lyrically and maintain the spiritual message of the album.
So with 'FAKE' we are just trying to address the issue of the Jezebel spirit. If you listen closely next time with that in mind - you'll hear what we're doing...
Yeah. We've just signed a two album deal with AVISTA
RECORDS, which is UNIVERSAL's gospel arm. Everything will operate out of a US base...
using our music even as we write this.
We are big fans of ALEX and always thought it would be great to do something in that vein, but rather than doing a straight cover we wanted to tweak it a little lyrically and maintain the spiritual message of the album.
So with 'FAKE' we are just trying to address the issue of the Jezebel spirit. If you listen closely next time with that in mind - you'll hear what we're doing...
Yeah. We've just signed a two album deal with AVISTA
RECORDS, which is UNIVERSAL's gospel arm. Everything will operate out of a US base...
AND - BIG NEWS TIME - YOU'VE JUST SIGNED A RECORD DEAL
WITH A US LABEL. TELL ME ALL!
WITH A US LABEL. TELL ME ALL!
...it means a major world wide release of the album
from this year plus 3 or 4 fresh tracks.
....We're very excited...
from this year plus 3 or 4 fresh tracks.
....We're very excited...
I'LL COME BACK TO THE INTERNATIONAL NEWS IN A MINUTE. IT'S ALSO POPPING ON THE HOME FRONT...
...THE BEGINNING OF THE S.O.L/SLICKHANDED TAKEOVER... OK, TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS U.S. DEAL...
I CAN IMAGINE! TELL ME WHAT IT MEANS IN TERMS OF:
a) Promotion
b) Your profile in the UK, US, worldwide...
...THE BEGINNING OF THE S.O.L/SLICKHANDED TAKEOVER... OK, TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS U.S. DEAL...
I CAN IMAGINE! TELL ME WHAT IT MEANS IN TERMS OF:
a) Promotion
b) Your profile in the UK, US, worldwide...
We've just produced a couple of beats for both JAHAZIEL and DWAYNE TRYUMF for their upcoming projects under our production company title SLICKHANDED PRODUCTIONS.
We've just signed a two album deal with AVISTA RECORDS, which is UNIVERSAL's gospel arm. Basically, it means a major world wide release of the album, plus 3 or 4 fresh tracks.
We're very excited...
TOM: Well I guess it means doing everything on a much bigger scale than we've been used to so far, and not seeing quite so much of home as we're used to either.
Obviously, as our label is based in the States there will be a concentration on the US market and we will be spending a certain amount of time out there, as well as promoting here in the UK and in Europe.
We've just signed a two album deal with AVISTA RECORDS, which is UNIVERSAL's gospel arm. Basically, it means a major world wide release of the album, plus 3 or 4 fresh tracks.
We're very excited...
TOM: Well I guess it means doing everything on a much bigger scale than we've been used to so far, and not seeing quite so much of home as we're used to either.
Obviously, as our label is based in the States there will be a concentration on the US market and we will be spending a certain amount of time out there, as well as promoting here in the UK and in Europe.
We're already going to be featured on a compilation along side the likes of TONEX and SHEI ATKINS, so hopefully it means us being up there competing with the big hitters.
We were approached via our MySpace by CHIZMATONIC, of TONEX collaboration and NUREAU INK fame. He was looking for new artists for the relauch of AVISTA, of which he is the CEO.
He was really into and excited by what we were doing and so after a few weeks of chatting
and building a relationship, he offered us the deal. We took some time out to seek God and pray over it all, and He gave us the thumbs up! So it's a dream come true really. Praise God for the Internet eh?
We were approached via our MySpace by CHIZMATONIC, of TONEX collaboration and NUREAU INK fame. He was looking for new artists for the relauch of AVISTA, of which he is the CEO.
He was really into and excited by what we were doing and so after a few weeks of chatting
and building a relationship, he offered us the deal. We took some time out to seek God and pray over it all, and He gave us the thumbs up! So it's a dream come true really. Praise God for the Internet eh?
SO HOW DID THE DEAL COME ABOUT...?
AND WHAT'S NEXT FOR SONS OF LIGHT...?
AND WHAT'S NEXT FOR SONS OF LIGHT...?
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