Noel McKoy’s Brighter Day
Blighty’s Godfather of Soul, Noel McKoy, returns to the forefront of British blues next week with the release of his album Brighter Day. His Marvin Gaye-esque, Mowtown-inspired honey tones have steered a distinguished career since the late ‘80s acid jazz explosion when he fronted the James Taylor Quartet, delivering the hit Love the Life.
He has since recorded a critically acclaimed debut album, Family, with his siblings and enjoyed duets with Mica Paris, Juliette Roberts, Beverly Knight and Vanessa Simon. The singer-producer’s northern soul, gospel and funk influences shine through on Brighter Day, and he credits his south London roots: ‘I was born in Clapham South. The area I grew up in was working class so I guess the fact that I am a grafter has definitely shaped and influenced the person that I am today.’
How has the music industry changed since your early years on the scene?
‘I think the ‘80s was the last of the experimental periods in fusing different musical styles: soul/electro, reggae/rock, punk/new age, jazz/funk. Now we have different strands of one particular genre. The good thing is that everyone making music can be heard by millions of people via the net now.’
Who are your musical influences?
‘Stevie Wonder, Denise Brown, Chaka Khan, The Beatles, The Isley Brothers, T Rex, I could go on and on.’
What was the creative process of making Brighter Day, and the inspiration behind it?
‘In a nutshell it was not a pre-conceived project. It happened by chance of me working with three different writer-producers around the same time and all the songs being within the same musical genre. I was then able to compile all of the songs and make the album. The title track Brighter Day was the first song written for this album. It was recorded in a studio on the road I was born some 30 years previous. It set the tone for the rest of the songs that were to follow.’
How would you describe the album?
‘It’s a record that pays homage to the singer-songwriters, musicians and producers of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s RnB era but with a modern twist.’
Which areas in London inspire you?
‘Battersea Park is where I spent a lot of my youth growing up. I also like Old Street, Hatton Garden, all of those areas – before they became trendy that is.’
Where would you recommend everyone visit in London at least once?
‘Covent Garden, Waterloo, Marble Arch – they all have a great black history.’
What are you working on at the moment?
‘I’ve just finished producing a reggae album by an Italian artist called Kiara, and I’m half-way through my next album as well as playing gigs around the capital.’
Brighter Day is released October 12.
Noel McKoy performs on October 8 at:
East Village
89 Great Eastern Street
EC2A 3HX
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