“Antique Soul” is the sound of one of the finest beat producers in the UK hitting his stride. That man is Smoove and this is his second full album release – his first having been snapped up by the legendary Acid Jazz label.
Ask anyone on the funk or breaks scene who’s dropping a rocking beat and “A Man called Smoove” is the earnest reply. So far so good. A Nu-funk legend is dropping his latest album – should be good.
But it’s not just good, it’s career making good and the reason why is that in John Turrell, Smoove has found his vocal match.
Throwing down somewhere between Otis Redding and Animals frontman Eric Burdon, geordie Turrell is the epitome of blue-eyed soul. A working class family man with a voice that takes him and everyone who hears it to a place so far away from everyday life – it’s like a door to a different world is opened in your ear.
Known mostly for uptempo, northern soul influenced, funk and beats jams, on this album Smoove finds someone who can roll with him on those lofty highs but then provide the gravel voiced soul for the comedown. Songs like “Darker Dayz” and “Without You” mean that this is an album with depth from a soul that can be as twisted and dark as it is joyful.
Not that you’d know that from sitting in the pub with them. Then it’s two lads with warm accents and infectious laughter who light up a room and make everyone wonder who the hell it is that’s turning a drab local boozer into the funniest place in the world.
Their first collaboration was “I Can’t Give You Up” - a track that was never meant to go beyond a 500 edition run of a 7” on an obscure german label. When the last copies of that run reached the heady heights of £166 on ebay with Northern Soul and funk fanatics in a bidding frenzy the boys knew they had found something a bit special in each other.
The BBC’s funk afficionado and occasional hellraiser Craig Charles certainly thought so. He has heavily supported tracks from Smoove & Turrell on his radio show and has even put pen to paper to write the liner notes for Antique Soul.
Smoove – even his mum now calls him that - describes this album as having an “old dusty feel to its production mixed with fresh contemporary edges”.
“I wanted a retro feel while keeping hip-hop production values in my beats. It reflects the different styles I play in my DJ sets - soul, latin, funk, jazz, easy listening, northern soul and hip hop. I’m a real crate digger and only play vinyl in my DJ sets. I found an amazing track by 70’s songwriter Lynsey de Paul that we sampled for You Don’t Know. Normally samples take forever to clear but someone played it directly to Lynsey and she loved it. We got everything cleared the same day ”
The lyrics that Turrell brings to the game reflect his own life experiences, from his relationship with his wife and family to his binging habits over cigarettes and alcohol. But while he deals with everyday subjects, his lyrics are never mundane, finding beauty in the ordinary and elevating the everyday to poetry.
John Turrell is a singer and lyricist who defiantly wears his heart on his sleeve whether it involves belting out his angst on dance floor fillers like “I Can’t Give You Up” or bearing his soul on the deep and funky “Darker Dayz”. Brought up by family members on a diet of Steely Dan, Free, Joni Mitchell and Cream he takes influences from all of those but as he grew older it was the soulboy delivery of Bobby Brown, George Benson and After Seven that started to inform his musical education.
Coupled with a vintage crate digger like Smoove and that delivery is turned into a funk weapon of the highest order.
So with the album finished the next thing was to find a deal. A copy was sent to Jalapeno Records who made an offer within one hour of hearing it.
The lads have gone from strength to strength both on the UK scene and across Europe. Previous to there album being snapped up by Jalapeno they have released a limited 7” single “I can’t give you up” on German label “Club Tikka”. The single soon found itself in a bidding frenzy on Ebay with copies reaching a startling £166, surely not for a new 7” I hear you cry!
Craig Charles BBC 6 Funk & Soul Show put pen to paper to write the sleeve notes for the album “Antique Soul” and also invited the whole 7 piece band down to Manchester to perform a live session on his Radio show. It doesn’t just stop there the boys have also been called in for a live set on The Janice Long Show (BBC Radio 2) and on the legendary Clive Anderson “Loose Ends Show” (BBC Radio 4). To top it all off the boys also won single of the week on Marc Radcliff’s BBC 2 Show.
Smoove and Turrell have released some outstanding singles this year, working with some of the best remix artists in the country and beyond.
• “I Can’t Give You Up” includes club remixes from A Skillz and Lack of Afro.
• “You Don’t Know” was smashed for the dance floor with remixes from Kraak and Smaak and Featurecast.
• “Don’t Go” was a limited 7” of the 80s classic. Smoove and Turrell style…some serious funk.
And now Smoove and Turrell are gearing up for their next full single “Beggarman”. Not only will there be some heavy, heavy remixes from the likes of Crazy P and Basement Freaks. They have also been hard at work filming their first video to co-inside with the release, shot in their home town of Newcastle. To top it all off the video is already being played on rotation on Deluxe TV in Germany.
John Turrell has recently found him self collaborating with other high profile artists like Ashley Beadle, Omar, Kraak and Smaak and has also won the male lead vocalist in the “Fantasy Funk Band” on BBC 6 Music which is being recorded and performed live at the legendary Maida Vale Studios for its 70th Birthday Celebrations.
The boys are currently on tour in Europe and in the UK, having just rocked Kendal Calling Festival, Glastonbury and the Big Chill Festival over the summer. Things are looking extremely good for Smoove & Turrell and it’s not even the end of the year. Watch this space!
'Sure to be one of the best albums of 2009 - This should be the future of Soul music in my book!' - DJ Andy Smith.
Give It Back
Smoove & Turrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hahah
Y'all remember been about it
This that take me back track
Uh huh
Take me back take me back
Take it back, uh take it back like that
Uh take it back, uh take it back like that
Real wavy on the track, take it back like that yuh
Take me back, aye yo I could never cap
Doing my dance with my bible on my lap
Yeah we rapping this, uh yeah we stay strapped
Took it back like that, he take it back like that
Take it back like that, uh I could never lag
Posted with the pastor, uh I'm feeling like the man
Doing my thing, yuh revealing Gods plan
He take it back like that, God take me back like that
Take it back like that, ready for a demon attack
Posted in Chandler, pray he put us on the map
You gotta be aware, demons really trying to trap
He take it back like that, we take it back like that
Take it back, uh take it back like that
Uh take it back, uh take it back like that
Yuh take it back, uh take it back like that
Real wavy on the track, take it back like that yuh
Take it back, uh take it back like that
Yeah we posted with Lazarus, we posted with MATT
I'm trying to get the feat, Miles Minnick hit me back
Took it back like that, he take it back like that
Take it back uh, yeah we smoove like that
Always in the church, aye couldn't cap on that
The devil trying to cross me, watch God cross him back
He got my back like that, he got our back like that
Oh rapping like that, uh fresco really back
Yeah I took time off, cause I got it like that
Take it back back take it way back back
When I dropped wow, man I had it like that
Stepping on the devils neck, he a snake like that
Now I'm coming with the heat, I'll let God burn him back.
I can't believe I was saved God really had my back.
Now I'm finding my peace cause I got it like that
Always read the word, that way you'll never lack
Be yourself and be you and be smoove like that
Take it back back, take it way back back
Take it back like that! He take it back like that
Take it back uh, Take it back like that uh
Take it back uh, Take it back like that yuh
Take it back uh, take it back like that
Real wavy on the track, take it back like that yuh
Take me back, aye yo I could never cap
Doing my dance with my bible on my lap
Yeah we rapping this, uh yeah we stay strapped
Took it back like that, he take it back like that
Take it back like that, ready for a demon attack
Posted in chandler, pray he put us on the map
You gotta be aware, demons really trying to trap
He take it back like that, we take it back like that
Back like that, we took it back like
Yeah we posted it (chandler) take it back like that
Take it back like that, yeah we take it back like that
Yeah we take it like that, we put it back like that
The lyrics to Smoove & Turrell's song "Give It Back" have a religious undertone and convey a message of redemption, faith, and standing firm against evil forces. The artist reflects on their past and how they have been "about it," indicating a change and growth in their life. They yearn for a return to a previous time and state of mind, expressing a desire to reclaim something lost.
In the first paragraph, the artist emphasizes the importance of their faith and their dedication to it. They mention dancing with their Bible on their lap and staying prepared and protected, as indicated by the phrase "yeah, we stay strapped." They acknowledge the role of God in taking them back and protecting them from any demonic attacks.
The second paragraph continues with the theme of faith and references specific individuals like Lazarus and MATT, possibly alluding to biblical figures. The artist expresses their desire for collaboration with Miles Minnick and affirms their commitment to their faith and God's support. They proclaim their victory over the devil and the burning of any evil influences.
The third paragraph emphasizes the artist's astonishment at being saved and their gratitude for God's unfailing support. They encourage others to find peace by reading the Bible and staying true to themselves, emphasizing the importance of being "smoove" (smooth) in their actions and choices. The repetition of "take it back" reinforces the theme of reclaiming something lost or regaining a previous state of being.
The final paragraph repeats previous lines to emphasize the overall message. The artist reiterates their focus on faith, dancing with their Bible, and remaining cautious of demonic influences. They affirm their reliance on God in reclaiming what was lost and express an intention to put their music and message out into the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Aye I'm in the booth with this one
I am currently in the recording booth working on this song
Y'all remember been about it
You all recall the past when we were really committed to something
This that take me back track
This is a nostalgic song that brings back memories
Take me back take me back
Please transport me back to a previous time
Take it back, uh take it back like that
Revert to a previous state or situation in the same manner
Real wavy on the track, take it back like that yuh
I'm smoothly flowing on this song, bringing back the old vibes
Aye yo I could never cap
Hey, I could never lie or exaggerate
Doing my dance with my bible on my lap
I am worshiping and praising God while dancing with my bible on my lap
Yeah we rapping this, uh yeah we stay strapped
We are rapping this song with passion and we are always prepared
He take it back like that, God take me back like that
God reverts situations in my life just like that, in a similar manner
Ready for a demon attack
Prepared to face spiritual battles against evil forces
Posted in Chandler, pray he put us on the map
Being present and active in Chandler, hoping for recognition and success in our music
You gotta be aware, demons really trying to trap
You need to be cautious as demons are actively trying to ensnare us
Yeah we posted with Lazarus, we posted with MATT
We are present and active with Lazarus and MATT (other artists or people)
I'm trying to get the feat, Miles Minnick hit me back
I am attempting to collaborate with Miles Minnick, hoping for a positive response
Always in the church, aye couldn't cap on that
I am consistently present in the church, I'm not lying about it
The devil trying to cross me, watch God cross him back
Satan is attempting to harm or manipulate me, but God will retaliate on my behalf
Oh rapping like that, uh fresco really back
Oh, rapping in this style, emphasizing that fresco is truly back
Yeah I took time off, cause I got it like that
Yes, I took a break, but only because I have the ability to do so
Stepping on the devils neck, he a snake like that
Asserting dominance over the devil, who is deceitful like a snake
Now I'm coming with the heat, I'll let God burn him back
Now I am bringing intense energy and God will retaliate against the devil
I can't believe I was saved God really had my back
I am amazed that I was rescued and God truly protected me
Now I'm finding my peace cause I got it like that
Currently, I am discovering tranquility because I have the ability
Always read the word, that way you'll never lack
Consistently study the Bible, so you will always have what you need
Be yourself and be you and be smoove like that
Embrace your true self and be smooth in your own unique way
Back like that, we took it back like
We brought it back to how it used to be, just like that
Yeah we posted it (chandler) take it back like that
We shared it (possibly the song) in Chandler, bringing back the old vibes
Yeah we take it back like that, we put it back like that
Yes, we bring it back in that fashion, we restore it
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Nicholas Chenault
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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