Cherry Red Records Eau De Vie

Len Coley and
Roddy Harris formed DELEGATION in Birmingham, during the mid 70’s later adding
Jamaican born Ricky Bailey whose voice was to give them added flair on lead
helping them to compete in the competitive UK Soul Market.
The Group
worked with one of the UK’s most prolific hit makers of the 70’s and 80’s, Ken
Gold, responsible for masterminding The Real Thing as well as writing and
producing for artists such as The Nolans, Liquid Gold and Billy Ocean who
secured a deal with State Records after which the group released a few UK
singles with moderate success.
However, when
Oh Honey hit the US charts in 1979 it scored an incredibly impressive top 50 US
Pop chart position and smoothly grooved all the way to #6 in the US R&B
charts helping the album enter the Billboard Hot 200 and make #8 on the US
R&B album chart.
DELEGATION
later moved to Ariola Records while changing their lineup with Len Coley being
replaced with Bruce Dunbar, a Broadway Musical singer who starred in the
musical “Hair” before joining the band, bringing with him his captivating
falsetto, so well suited to DELEGATION’s smooth funky sound. Once they had
drafted in the arranging talents of keyboard virtuoso, Lynton Naismith,
DELEGATION went to work on ‘Eau De Vie’ which would go on to become their
highest selling album achieving a Gold Record status in 1980.
Notable songs
on this album include the groovy first single, PUT A LITTLE LOVE ON ME full of
raw Funk bass lines and smooth Lynton Naismith organ paired with dazzling and
driving yet subtle guitar licks giving it a slight Calypso groove. This winning
formula was continued into the second single YOU AND I, with the guitar coming
forward and the group really showcasing their vocal chemistry from the opening.
DELEGATION turned up the disco for HEARTACHE No 9 adding a powerful string and
horn section to a track that is currently receiving an overdue renaissance on
the UK club scene.
BBR is very
proud to bring you EAU DU VIE, completely remastered and repackaged complete
with liner notes and extended bonus content.
Released in
deluxe Super Jewel cases, EAU DU VIE is a must have for all Soul and Funk and
Jazz fans out there!
Release Date: 26/11/2012