Galliano is a London-based acid jazz group that was originally active betwe… Read Full Bio ↴Galliano is a London-based acid jazz group that was originally active between 1988 and 1997. The group was the first signing to Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson's Acid Jazz record label. The original members were Rob Gallagher (vocals - credited as Roberto Galliano), Constantine Weir (vocals), Michael Snaith (The Vibe Controller), and Crispin Robinson (percussion).

Other important members included Valerie Etienne, who participated in the recording of all their albums, along with other musicians such as Mick Talbot on keyboards, Crispin Taylor on drums, Ernie McKone on bass guitar, Mark Vandergucht on guitar, and Steve Ameedee, otherwise known as Uncle Big Man (dancer). Ski Oakenfull replaced Mick Talbot on keyboards in 1994. The band split in November 1997 after musical differences over the direction of travel, with Crispin Taylor starting a Cliff Richard cover band. The band announced a return in 2023, including a new album and several live gigs.

Career
The group's first single, a reworking of Curtis Mayfield's Freddie's Dead called Frederick Lies Still, was released in June 1988. It was also the first release on the Acid Jazz label. Their second release was on Let the Good Times Roll by The Quiet Boys in 1989. The Quiet Boys was an alias used by acid jazz pioneer Chris Bangs who then went on to produce Galliano.

Galliano's first album release was In Pursuit of the 13th Note in 1991, which was produced by Bangs. Their second album A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator was released in 1992. Galliano achieved the peak of its success in 1994 with The Plot Thickens, which peaked at number eight in the UK Albums Chart. Two UK top 40 singles were released from the album: Long Time Gone (a cover of a David Crosby song from the self-titled first album by Crosby, Stills & Nash) and Twyford Down. The latter was a comment on the road building protests taking place at the time and the protest at Twyford Down in particular, and they were joined onstage by anti-roads protestors to make appeals to the audience. The album was well-received, making the NME's list of top 50 albums of the year. Following its release, Galliano performed on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 1994 and returned to play the NME Stage in 1995. Galliano's fourth and final studio album :4 was released in 1996. This included the track, Slack Hands, which was used in the title sequence of Kevin Reynolds' 1997 film, One Eight Seven, starring Samuel L. Jackson. Galliano broke up in 1997. Gallagher together with Etienne formed Two Banks of Four. Gallagher also performs solo using the names Earl Zinger, William Anderson and together with Alex Patchwork as The Diabolical Liberties.

In the spring of 2023, Galliano announced a return, including a new album and a few live gigs in the summer that year. The band played twice at Gilles Peterson's "We Out Here" festival in August 2023, playing covers of Harvest for the World and Uptown Top Ranking alongside their original material.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galliano_(band)

Discography
In Pursuit of the 13th Note (1991)
A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator (1992)
The Plot Thickens (1994)
:4 (1996)

Jazz?
Galliano Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

Jazz when I talk
Jazz like a hawk
Keepin' watch from the skies
Jazz to be free
Jazz I can see
In my hello and goodbyes

Jazz has a history

Jazz has a mystery
Promises more to tech
Jazz wets my tears
Catalogues my years
And clings to soul like a leech
Jazz in me cryin' in the sighin'
And the dyin'
And I'm floating on a mid summers
Breeze
In the midst of the smoke
On the lyrics I choke
Jazz the peoples' melodies
Jazz smell bad safe sorry and sad
A woman walking out of the dark
She looks my way and I pray
As dawn sets over the park
Jazz all around in every sound
Jazz all the music that we make
Say I'm playing the game insanely sane
Taste poison of the snake
Jazz how I love Jazz
Jazz is a horn to the truth sworn
Held in a young brother's hand
Say the line is long
And the Jazz is strong
It's a rock in the shifting sand
Jazz is a smile
Jazz versatile
Jazz is the violence in my street
Soundtrack the game insanely sane
Jazz whispers how I can cheat
Jazz is a sound born underground
Jazz is a black ace in the pack
Jazz is a blast of future present
And past
Jazz pushes and pulls me back
Speak generations with innovations
It's all about expression
50 or 19 tell the truth C
It's all about expression
Jazz was there in the night air
And down on a Fulham estate
Turntable technics hip hop dub licks
Jazz mix and lives out it's fate

Jazz, how I love Jazz
Jazz is what

Overall Meaning

Jazz, as described by Galliano, is a powerful force that encapsulates the essence of music and history. Jazz is more than just a genre of music; it is a lifestyle, a passion, and an embodiment of freedom. The lyrics suggest that Jazz is all around us, from the sound of the wind to the streets we walk on. It is something that is always present, influencing our emotions and leaving an indelible mark on our souls. The lyrics also highlight the mystique of Jazz; while it has a rich history, it still holds mysterious promises for the future. Jazz represents the highs and lows of life, the sadness and the joy, the beauty and the grit. And yet, it remains a constant source of inspiration and hope.

The lyrics of "Jazz" also suggest that the power of Jazz lies in its ability to express emotions and ideas that transcend time, geography, and culture. Jazz has been and continues to be a platform for innovation and expression, allowing generations of artists to leave their mark on the world. From the early pioneers of Jazz to modern-day musicians, the spirit of Jazz lives on, inspiring others to create and innovate. Whether it's through intricate melodies or powerful beats, Jazz is a force that fills the air and touches the hearts of all.

Contributed by Jordan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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