“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.
Slow Down
Smoove & Turrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
All you got is what you had
Salted lines to keep them fresh
Always there but nothing's changed
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
Shot down your record is scratched
No tune deserves to keep on playing
Broke down your dreams they have crashed
To the millions that you made this weekend
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
The things you do, the thoughts you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke live in the past
How did it end up crazy& Queens' Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified
To the times when you said what you would do
To the lies always drip all over you
To the bluff ain't enough to be yourself now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff ain't enough to be yourself now is it
Slow down your moving too fast
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Always there but nothing's changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
The things you do, the thoughts you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke live in the past
How did it end up crazy
To the times when you said what you would do
To the lies always drip all over you
To the bluff ain't enough to be yourself now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff ain't enough to be yourself now is it
The lyrics of Smoove & Turrell's song "Slow Down" describe the consequences of living life too fast and recklessly. The opening lines of the song urge the listener to slow down, to take stock of their life, and to stop making impulsive decisions based on uncertain and risky possibilities. The lyrics describe how this way of living has led to a moment passed and to end up crazy.
The song seems to be a criticism of the 'rockstar lifestyle'. The lines "Shot down your record scratch / no tune deserves to keep on playing / Broke down your dreams they have crashed / to the millions that you made this weekend" speak to the fleeting and superficial nature of success in the entertainment industry, and how it can lead to a crash and burn from unrealistic expectations.
The chorus repeats the phrase "It's what you do, it's what you have / that we have not seen lately", suggesting that the singer is aware that the part of themselves that they are showing the world isn't a genuine one, and that they have become disconnected from their true self.
Overall, the song's lyrics serve as a warning to slow down, live more intentionally, and not to get caught up in the superficiality and excess of the 'rockstar lifestyle.'
Line by Line Meaning
Slow down your moving too fast
You need to slow down because you're moving too fast and not taking the time to really think things through.
With your head strung out on all your maybes
You're stressing out about all the possibilities and uncertainties in your life, making it hard for you to focus on the present.
Low down your moment has passed
You missed your opportunity and settling for less seems pointless.
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
Sticking around in your current situation doesn't seem like the best decision.
All you got is what you had
You're stuck in the past and not making any progress in your life.
Salted lines to keep them fresh
You keep using the same old excuses and lies to cover up your shortcomings.
Always there but nothing's changed
You're always around but you're not evolving as a person or making any improvements.
Even your lies remain the same
You're not even bothering to come up with new lies, showing that you're stagnant and not growing.
It's what you do, it's what you have
Your actions and possessions are not impressing anyone lately.
That we have not seen lately
Your behavior and choices have not been impressive or noteworthy recently.
It's all a joke and such a laugh
Your life seems like a joke to others, and they find it amusing.
How did it end up crazy
You're not sure how your life ended up so disorganized and chaotic.
Shot down your record is scratched
Your reputation is tarnished and people no longer trust or respect you.
No tune deserves to keep on playing
Your behavior and actions are no longer acceptable or tolerable.
Broke down your dreams they have crashed
Your dreams and aspirations have been shattered and you feel defeated.
To the millions that you made this weekend
Your recent success and wealth is temporary and fleeting.
What you wear is all you own
Your material possessions are all you have to show for yourself.
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Your fancy possessions are not impressive to others and are irrelevant to your character.
The things you do, the thoughts you have
Your actions and thoughts have been questionable and worrying to others lately.
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
Your friends aren't fooled by your lies, and they know the truth about your behavior.
To the times when the drugs took over you
You have a history of substance abuse that has clouded your judgment and influenced your behavior.
To the bluff ain't enough to be yourself now is it
You can't just pretend to be someone you're not and expect to be happy or successful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Christopher Turrell, Jonathan Watson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nikos Aspromatis
Slow down your moving too fast
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
All you got is what you had
Salted lines to keep them fresh
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
Shot down your record is scratched
No tune deserves to keep on playing
Broke down your dreams they have crashed
To the millions that you made this weekend
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
The things you do, the thoughts you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke live in the past
How did it end up crazy
To the times when you said what you would do
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
Slow down your moving too fast
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
The things you do, the thoughts you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke live in the past
How did it end up crazy
To the times when you said what you would do
To the lies always drip all over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
александр смирнов
Slow down your moving too fast
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
All you got is what you had
Salted lines to keep them fresh
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
Shot down your record is scratched
No tune deserves to keep on playing
Broke down your dreams they have crashed
To the millions that you made this weekend
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin 'bout your stately home
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
To the times when you said what you would do
To the lies always drip all over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
Slow down your moving too fast
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
The things you do, the thoughts you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke live in the past
How did it end up crazy
To the times when you said what you would do
To the lies always drip all over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
Matvey Prokopev
Slow down your moving too fast
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
All you got is what you had
Salted lines to keep them fresh
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
Shot down your record is scratched
No tune deserves to keep on playing
Broke down your dreams they have crashed
To the millions that you made this weekend
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
The things you do, the thoughts you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke live in the past
How did it end up crazy
To the times when you said what you would do
To the lies always drip all over you
To the bluff ain't enough to be your self now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff ain't enough to be your self now is it
Slow down your moving too fast
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
The things you do, the thoughts you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke live in the past
How did it end up crazy
To the times when you said what you would do
To the lies always drip all over you
To the bluff ain't enough to be your self now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff ain't enough to be your self now is it
Tim Setterfield
One of the most underrated bands ever. Smoove and Turrell need to be recognised more. Just Brilliant.
Nicky Noodles
Can’t believe I’ve only just come across this pile of talent! I love them and can’t wait to see them live next month ❤
Mili Tepavac
This band is a perfect blend of everything I love in and about music. Incredible!
officialshakeymusic
How the hell does this not have millions of plays!! Cmon internet do your damn thing and blow this up!
JAVIER ORTUÑO
No entiendo porque estos tíos no están vendiendo millones de discos por todo el mundo. Increíbles!!
Nikos Aspromatis
Slow down your moving too fast
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
All you got is what you had
Salted lines to keep them fresh
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
Shot down your record is scratched
No tune deserves to keep on playing
Broke down your dreams they have crashed
To the millions that you made this weekend
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
The things you do, the thoughts you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke live in the past
How did it end up crazy
To the times when you said what you would do
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
Slow down your moving too fast
With your head strung out on all your maybes
Low down your moment has passed
To hang around well it just seems too crazy
What you wear is all you own
No point talkin' bout your stately home
Always there but nothings changed
Even your lies remain the same
It's what you do, it's what you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke and such a laugh
How did it end up crazy
The things you do, the thoughts you have
That we have not seen lately
It's all a joke live in the past
How did it end up crazy
To the times when you said what you would do
To the lies always drip all over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
To the lies that your friends have all seen through
To the times when the drugs took over you
To the bluff aint enough to be your self now is it
Eric Guajardo
Dude — he has a voice like Frank Sinatra. The lyrics written down sure put an added umph into the music. The story sure hits home, in a way to celebrate, not regret. I just heard this for the first time today. It was background music for a new Federer video—about his explosive thousand mph forehand winning shots. If you haven’t heard the acoustic, check it out—totally awesome.
Kali Spell
Ace
Vinny G
Recommended by youtube. Where the he'll have these guys been? Funky and soulful! Definitely going to be checking out more from them.
Оскар Питерсон
@Huu Truong well, they wrote an actual song on the existing groove, they didn’t plagiarise everything.