wired for sound

Hue And Cry, the brotherly duo of Pat and Greg Kane, have always been one of my favorites. They returned to the pop fray in 2008 with "Open Soul".

Now, they follow up that longplayer with "Hot Wire", their 13th studio album on March 19. A week earlier, they will issue "Duty To The Debtor", the first funky single from the elpee. And they've just lensed a video for the track.



Full on Crescent City soul with a splash of Stevie Wonder and a dash of Sly And The Family Stone. I swear I can hear Allen Toussaint weaving his magic inside the grooves. The boys have even managed to slide in an old school New Orleans style brass band toward the end. Just my cup of java!

The official tracklisting for "Hot Wire" includes the following ten tracks.

1. Duty To The Debtor
2. Little Man
3. Hand And Heart
4. Fail You Better
5. If You Want Changes
6. Summer Head/Daze
7. Carlos Takes The Fall
8. I Can Have It All
9. Irreversible Situation
10. Darkness Falls

If you're a obsessive fan like I am, then you will wanna splash some cash on the deluxe edition collector's box set which comes with loadsastuff! Limited to 1,000 copies, this unique collection includes "Hot Wire" on a gold coated CD and heavyweight vinyl in addition to two bonus tracks including "Tell Me" and "The Thing Is...". Plus, a CD single of "Duty To The Debtor", with an edited and remixed version of the track, will feature among all the bonus goodies.

Pat and Greg have even managed to put together a DVD featuring a video documentary which gives a unique insight into the process of producing an album including the writing, recording and mixing of the music as well as the creation of the artwork for the packaging.

As if that wasn't enough to tempt fans into purchasing the deluxified edition of "Hot Wire", H&C have included the official promotional video for the "Duty To The Debtor" with a special 5.1 remix of the track. In addition, there is a fly on the wall feature of the song being recorded featuring an interactive multi angle experience where the viewer can choose what to watch. The DVD ties up nicely with a personal video message from the band. These guys know how to please their fans!

Rounding out the ultimate collector's set are a booklet of song lyrics, lithographic print, keyring, bumper sticker, badge and a certificate of authenticity hand signed by the boys. They've putted out all the stops! Get yours now before they're gone!

white hot wired soul

Many of my favorite artists have embraced social media in all its many varied flavors. One group that takes full advantage of this new connectivity is Hue And Cry. Scottish brothers, Pat and Gregory Kane, returned to the pop universe in 2008 with their magnificently funky longplayer, "Open Soul". In 2011, they will return with another slab of soul with the follow up, "Hot Wire".

Recently, the brothers Kane started recording vocals for the tracks that will make the final rundown. They documented their first day on Pat's iPhone. Let's take a look.



Pat is channeling some serious Sam Cooke like nobody's business! Often, I find it interesting to observe the creative process from inside the studio. Getting to hear Pat's raw, acappella performances as he commits them to the digital domain sends shivers throughout my body. He has one of the finest blue eyed soul voices I've ever heard.

Gregory is quite a technical boffin. He's also a musician's musician. He answers most questions regarding their detailed writing and recording sessions. In fact, Gregory is a font of musical knowledge and fascinating stories. Ask him about his painstaking work and he will gladly respond. Obviously, it's a labor of love. Oh, hardy har! Did you see what I did there?

For instance, if you wanna know about the mic Pat is using in the above clip, Greg will tell you it's an AEA R84 ribbon microphone. It has graced a few recordings I've been taken under my watchful eyes and ears in the past. On record, it gives Pat's voice the sound of hot buttered soul.

And don't be fooled by the time between elpees from Hue And Cry. These men are not slouches! In between the last studio album and the next, they released "Xmasday", a joyous and soulful album of Christmas tunes, and "Bitter Suite, Again", the follow-up to the acoustic live album they released way back in 1989!

"Hot Wire" is one my most hotly anticipated longplayers of 2011. If you were a fan of the late 80s, sophisticated soul parade which included Love And Money, Level 42 and The Blow Monkeys, you'll definitely want to investigate Hue And Cry. Greg's masterful musicality and Pat's brain shredding lyrics make for some tremendous listening.

inner sanctum

It's no secret, kittens. Technology and social media have changed the way we connect and communicate. As usual, musicians tend to lead the charge.

One of my faves, Glaswegian duo Hue And Cry, have embraced the change with every fiber in their brotherly bodies.

Pat and Greg Kane, technology boffins and politcal pundits, have started work on the follow-up to "Open Soul", their musical offering from 2008, which brought them back into the pop spotlight. The new longplayer, tentatively titled "Hot Wire", is being documented as they toil away toward its release.

The studio used to be an inner sanctum with the creative process shrouded in secrecy and speculation. Social media has kicked down the door and acts like H&C have no problems inviting spectators in for a cup of tea.

Here's a taste of their 27th day in the studio. New song, "Fail You Better", has an Al Green feel to it. And Pat gives it some church. Is there a better blue eyed soul singer?



Be prepared to see more of their activity on my little corner of the blogosphere, my lovelies.

While some artists, like Imogen Heap, tweeted and blogged their way up to the release of an album only to disappear over the precipice once it was released, Hue And Cry are committed to being interactive with their community of fans throughout and beyond. Well done, lads!

future funk from Hue And Cry

Hue And Cry, one of my fave groups, have started working on the follow up to "Open Soul", the album that brought them back to the groovy pop machine after 16 years in the wilderness. The pop music biz can be a cruel bedfellow, kids!

Anyway, Pat and Greg Kane, for it is them that are Hue An Cry, grabbed today's technology by its tender throat and shook it for all its worth. They've embraced social media in a way most bands only dream of. Pat, an avid reader, political pundit, journalist and keen cultural observer, is constantly digging up new ways for him and his family to work and play.

On the dawn of development for their next longplayer, H&C have begun documenting the creative process. Let's have a look.



Mercy! Pat is a sexy number. I'll have to watch that clip a few more times. Purely for research, you see.

Srsly. I am very much looking forward to the next move for Hue And Cry. "Open Soul" still continues to be a favorite. Check out the video for "Fireball", one of the singles lifted from it.



If you like "Open Soul", do yourself a favor and spend a shekel or two on their first three albums from the late 80s/early 90s - "Seduced And Abandoned", "Remote" and "Stars Crash Down". You can thank me later.

Christmas stuffing

One of my favorite duos, Hue And Cry, are about to release "Xmasday", their first ever, Christmas album. It's a stop gap between the soulful Scots' next studio album and "Open Soul", their recent, glorious return to the sophisticated, pop sound that launched them 20 years ago.

If you aren't familiar with Hue And Cry, I suggest you pick up a copy of "Open Soul" and be prepared to swim in a sea of blue eyed soul. Their well crafted pop songs are full of sharp wit and thought provoking lyrics. Definitely one for those that like their pop with a bit of lyrical bite.

"Xmasday" is currently available as a super deluxe edition box set which contains all sorts of Crimbo themed goodies. Take a look at what's inside! Better sit down, kids. They've crammed a lot of love into this festive set.

Firstly, you'll get the new album which takes you on an incredible journey through Christmas day from start to finish. The tracklisting for "Xmasday" includes the following ten tracks:

1. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
2. Players Of The Game
3. White City
4. Rockin' Robin
5. We Free Kings
6. Someday At Christmas
7. Auntie Claus
8. Two Little Boys
9. Spinning Top
10. All Kind Men

You will also get a bonus CD which includes two, additional tracks, "Let It Snow" and "What A Wonderful World", which were recorded during the "Xmasday" album sessions and have been specifically reserved for the gift box.



Then there's an amazing, bonus DVD! It includes the entire, live, audio recording of one of the band’s favourite concerts which took place at the Glasgow ABC on February 21, 2009. The setlist for that show includes the following:

1. Strength To Strength
2. Ordinary Angel
3. European Child
4. Long Terms Lovers Of Pain
5. Stumble Through The Dance
6. Headin' For A Fall
7. History City
8. Labour Of Love
9. Mother Glasgow
10. Violently (Your Words Hit Me)
11. Looking For Linda
12. My Salt Heart
13. Sweet Invisibility
14. The Last Stop
15. Back To Back
16. Crazy In Love

And if that wasn't enough, the DVD also includes five songs filmed live, selected by the band as highlights from their 2009 "Open Road" tour. Each clip was shot on location at a different venue. The five tour videos are:

1. Looking For Linda/Vera Drives (live from Academy 2 in Birmingham)
2. History City (live from the Gala Theatre in Durham)
3. Back To Back (llive from Whelans in Dublin)
4. My Salt Heart (live from the Picture House in Edinburgh)
5. Mother Glasgow (live from the ABC in Glasgow)

Also featured on the DVD are six videos of private stage performances which were previously only available on Hue And Cry's website. The private stage videos are:

1. Labour Of Love
2. Looking For Linda
3. Last Request
4. Crazy In Love
5. Back To Back
6. Stumble Through The Dance

Lastly, the band recorded a special video message that includes commentary relating to every track recorded during the "Xmasday" album sessions.

I'm exhausted just thinking about all the bumper crop of bonus material! It's going to take me days to sift through it all.

But wait! That's not all. The deluxe box set also includes a 28 page, full color, 2010 wall calendar with all new photographs of the band, a Christmas greeting card and a set of nine, different postcards from the "H" in Hue to the "Y" in Cry featuring new images of the brothers Kane and "Xmasday" design elements. They're even including a badge so you can wear you admiration for the band loudly and proudly. Plus you'll get a one-of-a-kind, ornament embossed with the Hue And Cry logo. Your Christmas tree won't be complete without it!

It's mighty impressive! If you don't believe me, let Pat and Greg tell you.