Bottletop Band - “A Message” ft. Yungun - out now!
I’m extremely proud to be involved in the new album by the Bottletop Band, “Dream Service”, which is out now on iTunes. As well as performing on the record, I actually helped with the legal work behind the project too - first time I’ve ever done that!
I feature on the track A Message, alongside Fink, Nina Becker and Sam Duckworth (Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly).
The album also features (*deep breath*) Eliza Doolittle, Carl Barat, Gruff Rhys, Tim Burgess (The Charlatans), Fly, Sam Sparro, Didz Hammond (Dirty Pretty Things), Gary Powell (Libertines), Money Mark, Rodrigo Amarante (Little Joy), Kassin, Domenico, Buraka Som Sistema, Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys), Andy Nicholson & Jon McClure (Reverend & the Makers), VV Brown, Seb Rochford, Drew McConnell (Babyshambles) & Matt Park (The Noisettes) and there are also remixes by Evil 9, Greymatter, Radioslave, Optimo, Howie B and Stereo MC’s.
The Bottletop Band is a cross-pollination of the sounds and stars of British music with a host of like-minded Brazilian musicians. In 2008 the charity Bottletop devised the concept of an interchangeable lineup of leading musicians collaborating on either side of the planet, with the aim of producing a groundbreaking cross-cultural record. Bottletop and a number of the artists on the album set up recording sessions over a two year period at Dean Street Studios in Soho and in Rio De Janeiro and asked everyone to let loose. Super producer Mario C Jr (renowned for his legendary production work with The Beastie Boys and Bjork) oversaw the entire project and mixed the record to create the 10 track album “Dream Service”.
All profits from the project go towards Bottletop’s charitable work, which focuses on alleviating poverty, supporting grassroots education projects and empowering young people to take control of their lives. Bottletop supports initiatives in Brazil, Malawi, Rwanda, Mozambique and the UK, providing employment and addressing key issues such as sexual and reproductive health, substance abuse and gender equality.
Besides releasing incredible music like this (check out their amazing “Sound Affects” compilation series), Bottletop also designs and produces ethically sourced and environmentally friendly fashion items, generating employment in Salvador, Brazil. Well-known fans of Bottletop accessories include Jesse J, Kate Moss, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Alba, Annie Lennox and Livia Firth.
