Sunlightsquare | |
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Background information | |
Origin | London |
Genres | Neo soul, nu jazz, boogaloo, salsa, house |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | Sunlightsquare, Yoruba, BBE Music |
Website | sunlightsquare |
Sunlightsquare is the pseudonym of British Italian music producer, pianist and digital entrepreneur Claudio Passavanti also known as Doctor Mix on YouTube.
Primarily known for his work in Latin music, jazz fusion and house music, he performs live at festivals and clubs worldwide.
He has collaborated with international artists, most notably with American drummer Steve Gadd [1] and bassist Will Lee.
As a YouTuber, he reviews synthesizers and explains synth-pop songs.
His 2008 cover of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" was championed by Gilles Peterson, [2] Joey Negro and Jazz FM DJ Peter Young, among others.
In 2009, Claudio Passavanti recorded a live album in Havana (Cuba) at Radio Rebelde's recording studios, released in February 2010 under the name 'Sunlightsquare Latin Combo'. [3] Havana Central obtained critical acclaim; Blues & Soul magazine described it as "superb". [4]
BBC magazine reviewed his 2011 album Britannia Shing-A-Ling as "a triumph". [5]
Jamiroquai are an English funk and acid jazz band from London. Formed in 1992, they are fronted by vocalist Jay Kay, and were prominent in the London-based funk and acid jazz movement of the 1990s. They built on their acid jazz sound in their early releases and later drew from rock, disco, electronic and Latin music genres. Lyrically, the group has addressed social and environmental justice. Kay has remained as the only original member through several line-up changes.
Gilles Jérôme Moehrle MBE, better known as Gilles Peterson, is a French broadcaster, DJ, and record label owner. He founded the influential labels Acid Jazz and Talkin' Loud, and started his current label Brownswood Recordings in 2006. He was awarded an honorary MBE in 2004, the AIM Award for Indie Champion and the Mixmag Award for Outstanding Contribution To Dance Music in 2013, the PRS for Music Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio in 2014, and The A&R Award from the Music Producers Guild in 2019.
Boogaloo or bugalú is a genre of Latin music and dance which was popular in the United States in the 1960s. Boogaloo originated in New York City mainly by stateside Puerto Ricans with African American music influences. The style was a fusion of popular African American rhythm and blues (R&B) and soul music with mambo and son montuno, with songs in both English and Spanish. The American Bandstand television program introduced the dance and the music to the mainstream American audience. Pete Rodríguez's "I Like It like That" was a famous boogaloo song.
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Stephen Kendall Gadd is an American drummer, percussionist, and session musician. Gadd is one of the best-known and highly regarded session and studio drummers in the industry, recognized by his induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1984. Gadd's performances on Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"(1976) and "Late in the Evening", Herbie Mann's "Hi-jack"(1975) and Steely Dan's "Aja"(1977) are examples of his style. He has worked with other popular musicians from many genres including Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Chick Corea, Chuck Mangione, Eric Clapton and Michel Petrucciani.
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Ben Westbeech, also known as Breach, is a British DJ and record producer originating from Hertfordshire who spent his formative musical years in Bristol. Trained as cellist and vocalist, his influences include house, soul, jazz and hip hop.
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