The British Collective
The British Collective at Boisdale of Canary Wharf, London
About the show
The British Collective is a supergroup in the proper sense of the word: Junior Giscombe, Omar and Don-E, three of the most significant figures in British soul, on the same stage. Junior Giscombe made history as the first Black British artist to appear on Soul Train, with "Mama Used to Say" hitting number seven in the UK and number two on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart in 1982. Omar's "There's Nothing Like This" began as a self-recorded eight-track demo on his father's independent label, shifted 35,000 copies on word of mouth alone and was picked up by Norman Jay for Talkin' Loud before reaching number 14 in the UK in 1991. Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu have both cited Omar as an influence. Don-E, the producer and vocalist behind "Love Makes the World Go Round", has spent three decades shaping the sound of British R&B from the inside.
Three solo careers, three distinct sounds and a combined catalogue that runs from the dancefloor to the bedroom to the soul club and back. They have been in and around each other's music for decades and it shows in the way they perform together. Put them on the same stage and the set list writes itself.
Expect "Mama Used to Say", "There's Nothing Like This", "Love Makes the World Go Round" and the kind of evening that reminds you how strong the British soul catalogue actually is when you put the right people in the room.
Featuring - The British Collective
The core members of this landmark group are Don-e, Junior Giscombe, Noel McKoy and Omar, who have been amongst the 'Torch Bearers' of authentic British soul music since the 80's. Individually, they have sold millions of records worldwide, recorded some of the most iconic British soul anthems and won many notable industry awards. They have performed, written for and recorded with many of the world's R&B's legends, such as Stevie Wonder and Phyliss Hyman through to Erykah Badu and Angie Stone in the neo-soul space.
Omar
Omar Christopher Lye-Fook MBE, or Omar for short, is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and singer who continues to push back the frontiers of soul and rhythm and blues with his sensual grooves. Since building a name for himself in the early 90s with classics such as 'There's Nothing Like This', he has gone on to produce critically acclaimed new albums and make regular live performances including supporting the legendary Stevie Wonder at Hyde Park in 2016. As his career has progressed, Omar's material has become more diverse and varied; incorporating Caribbean rhythms with touches of funk, zouk, jazz and spoken word.
Junior Giscombe
Soulful r'n'b singer who enjoyed UK top 10 hits in the 80s with 'Mama Used To Say' and 'Another Step (Closer To You)', a duet with Kim Wilde.
Don-E
'Signed to Island in the 90s for his remarkable debut album 'Unbreakable', Don-E not only wrote every song & arrangement, but also played every instrument. Having travelled and performed both at home in the UK and internationally his unique 'Ragga Funk' sound has caught the ear of not only up and coming home-grown artists such as Shaun Escoffrey, but also artists like D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill and Mos Def'- The Jazz Cafe, London.