Singer, songwriter and soulman Conner Reeves returned in early 2006 with a stunning EP of new music containing 3 new tracks, including title track ‘Welcome To The Future’ - a thought-provoking slice of politically conscious soul. The Welcome To The Future EP eschews the throwaway r&b style that all too often clogs up today’s charts and firmly pins Reeves’ quality singing and song writing talents to the mast. While the title track harks back to the socially aware soul artists of the 70’s such as Marvin and Stevie, groove ballads ‘Oughtabealaw’ and ‘Something Beautiful’ are quality slices of contemporary UK soul.
Conner Reeves the artist has been out of the public eye for a while, but Conner the songwriter has not stopped working - writing not only for himself but also with many other artists from Artful Dodger (Please Don’t Turn Me On), Rod Stewart and Blue to multi million selling soul princess Joss Stone.
Reeves first came to our attention with his soul classic ‘My Father’s Son’ and his gold selling album ‘Earthbound’. He had a run of commercial success that saw him score 5 Top 30 singles in the UK, culminating in a Brit nomination and live dates across the globe - including support slots with amongst others, Whitney Houston. The period that followed however, saw him split with his label, the now defunct Wildstar, and hook up with new management – the same company that launched Joss Stone and her multi platinum Soul Sessions album in 2003.
When asked to analyse why he chose to return to the fray now, Reeves, now 33, concludes that it was perhaps his frustration with the superficial and fleeting nature of much of today’s music that galvanised him into putting together a new album project for himself. Making music for his own pleasure has evolved naturally into getting back out there as an artist in his own right.
Having worked closely for the last 18 months with Future Cut, the co-writers and production team behind the Lily Allen project, the first fruits of the collaboration were contained on the critically acclaimed ‘Welcome To The Future’ EP. Now Still Waters Recordings, the label set up by Reeves in conjunction with Freshwater Hughes Management are preparing to release the first single – a double a-side, with an initial run on vinyl only.
Soul aficionados will recognise that the uptempo and uplifting ‘Joy’ borrows heavily from Junior Walker’s 1969 release ‘These Eyes’, whilst ‘As Love Is My Witness’ is a classic soul ballad which perfectly showcases the authenticity and old school values that Conner and Future Cut are so passionate about revisiting and makes us realise how much the man has been missed on the UK soul scene, and music scene in general, over the last few years.
The limited edition 7-inch vinyl single is released ahead of the album, which is scheduled for UK release in autumn 2007.
Welcome To The Future EP
WHO? After a long break, British soul star Conner Reeves returns with an impressive four-track EP.
SOUNDS LIKE? A quality set of beautiful retro soul. The theme throughout the set is 70s soul, and the smooth love ballads Oughtabealaw and Something Beautiful echo the sounds of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.
Elsewhere, the funky Welcome To The Future represents political and social awareness. Think John Legend mixed with the laid-back groove of Musiq.
HOT OR NOT? This is an excellent collection of songs from the British soul man. A great taster for the album to come.
Single of the Week From New Nation
CONNER REEVES: Welcome To The Future EP Man, how we've missed the unmistakable falsetto of Conner Reeves! It's been a proper minute since this accomplished singer has blessed our aural senses with his finely crafted tunes (remember “My Father's Son?” Tune!), but now the soul man has put together a three-track EP for our listening pleasure.
Title track, “Welcome To The Future” is a quirky socially aware cracker that points out all the various injustices in the world, even asking ‘OJ, do you sleep at night?’ on a lighter note, “Oughtabealaw” is a sensualistic groover that effortlessly serenades, but Reeves takes his apt vocals to an even higher level on the Motown-inspired soul number “Something Beautiful”. Good to have ya back, Reevsy! (Out: Nov 28)
