| Edward Ii (band) |
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MUSICAL STYLE Edward II had a unique style of music that could be described as the dance rhythms of the Caribbean blended with tradition-rooted English country dance tunes. According to Dirty Linen , "the multi-ethnic band takes that transcontinental journey one step further by mixing the heartbeat of jamaican reggae and ska with the squeezebox sounds of English traditional dance music. The result is a unique, invigorating, blend." Formed in Gloucesterhire in 1985, the group was initially called, Edward II & the Red Hot Polkas." Their 1986 debut album, Two Step Heaven, was a mostly instrumental effort produced by British dub producer Mad Professor , and included such tongue-in-jowl ditties as "Bjorn Again Polka" and the title track. By the time that they released "Zest", on its own label, in 1996, the group had shortened its name and increasingly incorporated reggae-flavored original tunes. Edward II's 1998 album, This Way Up, included some pure reggae tunes, including "Don't Let the Fire Go Out," but the album's best moments remained the more-culturally blended songs. The band did two performances at the Cropready Folk Festival held every year by Fairport Convention. One of these performances was released on CD entitled ""Live at Cropready". MEMBERS At various stages, members of the band included: T Carthy (bass), '''Glen Latouche''' (vocals), '''Gavin Sharp''' (sax and keyboards), and '''John Hart''' (trombone and guitar), who went on to perform together; '''Simon Care''' (melodeon), '''Neil Yates''' and '''Jon Moore''' (guitar and fiddle), who went on to form '''e2K'''; and '''Alton Zebby''' (drums). ALBUMS Under their former band name "Edward The Second and The Red Hot Polkas" they released: ''Two Steps to Heaven''. Under Edward II they released: ''Wicked Men'', "Zest", "This Way Up", "Live at Cropready" Under E2k they released: "Shift" and "If Not Now" |
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