Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators - Biography
Light In The Attic Records immediately follows up its' deluxe
reissues of the first two Betty Davis classics with Keep Reachin'
Up, a passionate but suave mod soul collaboration between the
lovely and talented Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators.
From the cold far North dance underground, this scintillating
vocalist and celebrated Finland funk collective have created
a uniquely hot record of romantic grooves.
The Brooklyn-born Willis has worked with Curtis Mayfield, the
Brand New Heavies, and done crucial work for Mo' Wax, while
the Finnish-bred Soul Investigators have crafted two previous
full-lengths and a handful of 45s.
In the late 80's Willis parted ways with both the Brand New
Heavies and the UK, returning home to the United States and
joining the band that would later become Deee-Lite. "We had
a similar perspective with our music. I was the original third
member in Deee-Lite." After a few years of lending vocals to
various groups, she became involved with the New York soul-hip-hop
collective Repercussions. "The Mo' Wax release was the first
for us and the label... It seems as always with universal consciousness
that people are reaching back into their history and picking
out timely genres and musical movements."
It doesn't bother Willis that some people might consider her
sound retro. "Certainly the music was a project of love but
retro isn't a swear word so it could be considered that as well...
we are continuing in a tradition."
Adored by the UK's Northern Soul DJs and fans, Keep Reachin'
Up has conquered Europe with timeless tracks like "Downtown"
and "Feeling Free" - the 2006 Worldwide Winner for Song of the
Year according to world famous DJ Gilles Peterson. International
momentum for the album has also been spurred by a BBC Top Ten
Track of the Year listing for "If This Ain't Love", four star
reviews for the Finnish release by MOJO & Record Collector,
and a nod by Dusty Groove as an "instant classic".
Some notable members of The Soul Investigators include: Producer
Jukka Sarapää on drums; Didier "Baby Spector" Selin on tambourine,
guitar & bass; Pete Toikkanen on guitar & bass; Antti Määtänen
on organ & piano; Sami Kantelinen on bass. The record also includes
contributions from celebrated composer and Matador Records-alum
Jimi Tenor, and string arrangements by world renowned violinist
Pekka Kuusisto.
A classic soul debut, Keep Reachin' Up is an essential addition
to any collection!!
Purchase Nicole & The Soul
Investigators Music Online:
Light In The Attic Records immediately follows up its' deluxe
reissues of the first two Betty Davis classics with Keep Reachin'
Up, a passionate but suave mod soul collaboration between the
lovely and talented Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators.
From the cold far North dance underground, this scintillating
vocalist and celebrated Finland funk collective have created
a uniquely hot record of romantic grooves. 