Gaining a passion for dancefloor grooves and a valuable experience of the musicindustry whilst working with the store's sister label Chillifunk, Lazurus decided his future lay in music production. His ideal was to lead a fully-formed live ensemble in the finest traditions of Maze and Rufus, but with no songwriting, performance or studioskills under his belt at that stage, his dream appeared to be almost unattainable.These seemingly insurmountable obstacles were however not going to get in the way.
Utilising the guidance of West London production don Phil Asher (Restless Soul), the talents of multi-instrumentalist Nathan Haines and the assistance of sometime Chilli Funk engineer Tom Davidson, Oli set about creating the project's first release. "Spiritual", later remixed by Jon Cutler and Seiji (Bugz In The Attic), found favour with some of London's finest underground DJs, and proved to be a turning point for Lazarus.
The record became the debut release on his own Papa Records imprint, a label set up initially for the purpose of releasing Reel People material, but which has since courted considerable success with tracks from DJ Spinna, Osunlade, Jon Cutler and Matthias Heilbronn amongst others.
Another single "Reeltime" soon followed and Reel People began to gain a reputation as a fresh new production outfit straddling the boundaries of house and broken beat.
During the course of auditioning musicians for studio sessions, Oli Lazarus came across the talents of Mike Patto, a gifted piano player who also expressed ability on both guitar and vocals. Despite being wholly dissimilar in their personalities, there
was an instant rapport between the pair, and a shared directness in their approach to work lead to Lazarus inviting Mike Patto to join Reel People as a permanent, fulltime member.
With many releases already to his credit, not least most of the Restless Soul catalogue to that point, Patto brought an invaluable compositional element to the outfit and at his insistence, they began a songwriting stint that was to shape the contents of their debut album
Working with Dyanna Fearon, a vocalist from the D-Influence stable, Reel People began to take shape as an actual band and not merely a studio-based outfit, with early collaborations such as "Butterflies", "Second Guess", "Washing Away" and "Back 2 Base" beginning to define the new sound of the ensemble. Additional contributions from vocalist Vanessa Freeman, and highly regarded producers Phil Asher, DJ Spinna plus Bugz In The Attic's Seiji and Afronaught strengthened the group's sound as they forged ahead with the intentions of producing a album the likes of which had not been witnessed since the soul laden 70s.
From the album sessions Reel People plucked two singles to precede the longplayer's release. The first of these, "Can't Stop", was recorded partially in New York with favoured vocalist Angela Johnson (Cooly's Hot Box) and proved to be a worldwide smash, delighting dancefloors from Manhattan to Manchester and Melbourne to set a template that remains unique to Reel People, as it attained an equal amount of respect from house DJs (for the remix) as the original mix did from leftfield DJs.
Performing "Can't Stop", "Butterflies" and "The Light" the band achieved their goals, dropping jaws across the whole audience, not least Simon Dunmore's at the Defected Records table.
A supporter of the Reel People singles issued up until that point, this was however to be Dunmore's first experience of the band performing live. A time-honoured soul aficionado he recognised the multi-faceted talents of the ensemble immediately, and having his interest in their album renewed, he approached Reel People with the intentions of realising the full potential of "Second Guess".
2005 sees Reel People about to re-release the gem that is "Second Guess". The Defected Records issue of the album contains three brand new tracks. Lead single "The Rain" features the vocals of Sharlene Hector (Basement Jaxx) and boasts remixes from Joey Negro and Rasmus Faber. Second single "In The Sun" is a wonderfullyadventurous, multi-layered dancefloor juggernaut and could quite possiblybe their best track to date. The new presentation is completed by a cover version ofthe Thelma Houston classic "You Used To Hold Me So Tight", the latter two tracks both recorded with vocalist Angela Johnson.
Reel People are once again set to take this marvellous album of unforgettable songs on the road, much to the delight of festival and club goers who have beencraving their return. In just five short years Oli Lazarus has realised that once distant dream, born at the counter of Flying Records. Although it has to be said that even this ambitious young man could not have dared to hope that, after such a short tenure, he would be at the helm of the UK's best live soul outfit, and one with a songwriting and production reputation to match Following this, the debut album's title track "Second Guess" was issued as a single and just several weeks afterwards the completed collection was unleashed upon the world.
A brilliant star amongst a sea of half-hearted dance albums, "Second Guess" was a unique collection in that it combined traditional song-based and musician-led material in a format that would be embraced on the heart of the dancefloor. The critics raved, the DJs salivated and what readily became described as "the best British dance album in years" brought much warranted attention to the group.
Several months overdue and countless £s over budget, the impetus now lay with the album's promotion. Luckily, having already established a relationship with a fine set of musicians during the recording process, the Reel People live band was almost fully formed and ready to take out on the road.
Centred around the core of Oli, Mike and Vanessa Freeman on vocals, guitarist Leon Stenning and Scott Baylis (trumpet, keys) were added to the mix and using a series of expert rhythm sections, the band embarked on a string of worldwide live dates.
From knockout appearances at London's Cargo and Jazz Café venues, Band On The all in Manchester, Southport Weekender,V Festival and Tokyo Jazz Festival, Reel People established a reputation for superb musicianship and expert crowd motivation.
Support for the album gained momentum, and indeed the shows lead to the band being signed by Columbia Records in Japan, but having exhausted all of Papa's funds on the extended recording process, there was little anyone could do to promote "Second Guess" outside of the band's show-stopping live performances.
An opportunity presented itself for the band to perform at the 2004 House Music Awards in London, where they had been nominated in several categories, and seizing the opportunity to play in front of the dance industry's movers and shakers the band set out to bring the house down.
Star
Reel People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But could you be possibly everything this brother needs?
Tripping you be dipping
Off this cup tonight with me
Girl you're such a stunner, well there's seven ways to wonder
What it is about you, records playing on my mind
Want more than just your number, think I need you in my life
I hear you talk to me without even uttering a word
Could you be destiny the one that will lift me from this world
You're like a star perfectly burning so bright
A star leading me all through the night
Losing concentration cause my imagination is running wild over you, think I'm underneath your spell
Perfect combination oh we kick it off so well
Tell me what you're thinking or should I stay here drinking
It's up to you what we do we could set a steady flow
I hope that we'll be linking, girl I really wanna know
You're such a mystery, I wonder where you're from and who you are
Well let's make history live a life that's golden journey through the galaxy so far
You're like a star perfectly burning so bright
A star leading me all through the night
Oh there's endless possibilities what I'm saying's not bizarre
We can rise and fly just you and me, I'm feeling love is where you are
If you think that you want baby it will be
Here we are lost within this moment face to face
Let's do it now, take me up into out of space
You're like a star perfectly burning so bright
A star leading me all through the night
A star leading me all through the night
A star perfectly burning
A star got my world turning
A star that's what you are to me baby
A star that's what you are to me baby
A star
A star
A star
A star
A star
A star
A star
A star
A star
A star
The lyrics to Reel People feat. Tony Momrelle's song "Star" suggest a romantic connection between two individuals who are obviously attracted to each other. The singer starts by questioning whether his attraction to the girl is just the drink he's sipping or a genuine connection. He's drawn to her beauty, her mystery, and her ability to communicate with him even without speaking. He believes she could be his destiny, the one who lifts him from the world, and he longs to know more about her.
Throughout the song, the singer uses metaphors to compare the girl to a star that burns brightly and guides him through the night. He imagines a future with her in which they journey through the galaxy, rise and fly together, and create history. He is willing to do whatever it takes to be with her, even if it means losing concentration and being under her spell.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of falling in love and being consumed by someone's beauty and mystery. The metaphor of a star adds a magical and otherworldly quality to the song, suggesting that the attraction between the two individuals transcends the limits of this world.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it me just tripping or the drink I'm sipping
Questioning if it's the alcohol or if his feelings are genuine
But could you be possibly everything this brother needs?
Wondering if the woman he sees could be what he's been searching for
Tripping you be dipping
Suggesting that the woman is also feeling the chemistry between them
Off this cup tonight with me
Inviting the woman to enjoy a drink with him
Girl you're such a stunner, well there's seven ways to wonder
Complimenting the woman's beauty and suggesting she's a mystery worth exploring
What it is about you, records playing on my mind
The woman is constantly on his mind, and he's intrigued by her
Want more than just your number, think I need you in my life
Interested in pursuing a deeper relationship with the woman
I hear you talk to me without even uttering a word
Feels a connection with the woman even when she's not speaking
Could you be destiny the one that will lift me from this world
Asking if the woman could be the one meant for him, the person to change his life
You're like a star perfectly burning so bright
Comparing the woman's allure to that of a star
A star leading me all through the night
Suggesting that the woman guides him, keeps him on track
Losing concentration cause my imagination is running wild over you, think I'm underneath your spell
The woman occupies his thoughts and he feels captivated by her
Perfect combination oh we kick it off so well
Feeling that the connection between them is strong and natural
Tell me what you're thinking or should I stay here drinking
Asking the woman to share her thoughts and feelings or continue to drink with him
It's up to you what we do we could set a steady flow
Leaving the decision up to the woman, but suggesting that they could have a great time together
I hope that we'll be linking, girl I really wanna know
Expressing his desire to pursue a relationship with the woman
You're such a mystery, I wonder where you're from and who you are
Feeling intrigued by the woman and wanting to learn more about her
Well let's make history live a life that's golden journey through the galaxy so far
Proposing that they make memories together and embark on a lifelong journey
Oh there's endless possibilities what I'm saying's not bizarre
Believing that their relationship could lead to many great things
We can rise and fly just you and me, I'm feeling love is where you are
Imagining a future with the woman and feeling a connection to her
If you think that you want baby it will be
Telling the woman that if she's interested, they can make a relationship happen
Here we are lost within this moment face to face
Savoring the present moment with the woman and being fully present with her
Let's do it now, take me up into out of space
Inviting the woman to take a risk and explore new heights with him
A star perfectly burning
Reinforcing the comparison of the woman to a star
A star leading me all through the night
Emphasizing that the woman is a guide and source of inspiration
A star got my world turning
Acknowledging that the woman has a strong impact on his life
A star that's what you are to me baby
Reaffirming that the woman is a source of light and inspiration
A star that's what you are to me baby
Repeating the message that the woman is a star in his eyes
A star
Concluding that the woman is a star, a special person in his life
A star
Repeating the message that the woman shines brightly in his life
A star
Emphasizing the importance of the woman and that she is one of a kind
A star
Closing the song with a final reminder of the woman's special qualities
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lauragilio3733
Tony Momrelle is the ultimate R'n'B singer
@gregorybrand4087
A beautiful track!!!!!
@jaiweearliuk6699
Absolutely banging riddim 💫👏🏾🔥🔥🔥.. 🙌🏾
@keifsavage1090
This song is awesome
@kennethmiddleton5470
Just got turned on to this song. Can't stop listening. All my friends are tripping over the vocals and this track. Man do this one again.
@djmontyforyou
this is why i love house music
@CafeNezu
明るい星が広がる夜空が浮かんでくる素敵な曲
@wheresdakaboom
Lovely!
@warequalsnofuture
WHAT? 1 Comment (from China) only? 2731 views? Totally underrated. Unbelievable!! Love the song!! Cheers, RP!!
@RossD189
Smooth like butter