DAVID HILLYARD & THE ROCKSTEADY 7 – Friends & Enemies – CD

Label: Brixton Records
Code: BR-038-CD
Format: compact disc, album
Release: 6/02/2013

Released in collaboration with Rocking Steady (Germany).

As is well known, DH & The Rockstedy 7 is the most jazz-influenced incarnation of David Hillyard, saxophonist with the band The Slackers, whose aim is to make instrumental music accessible to everyone by fusing ska and reggae with the American jazz tradition. On *Friends & Enemies*, the influence of the blues is more evident than ever, drawing closer to sounds such as Jump-Blues and classic R&B.

Reggae-Blues, Ska-Blues, Reggae-Afro-Funk… these are futile descriptions for a collection of nine new tracks that work from the very first listen. David’s saxophone takes on the role of lead vocalist on this studio recording, done in a single take, with no tricks or gimmicks. ‘If You Want Me To Stay’ by Sly & The Family Stone is the cover chosen on this occasion to round off the album.