RHODA DAKAR pays tribute to DAVID BOWIE in honour of his 75th birthday with a reggae cover of the Duke's 'The Man Who Sold The World'.
The release comes with the announcement of the BODYSNATCHERS' singer's signing to the Sunday Best label.
Recorded at South London's Perry Vale Studios with Pama International producer Lenny Bignell, the track features contributions from The Aggrolites keyboard-player Roger Rivas (rated by Lynval Golding as the best reggae keyboardist around) and Jimmy Regal & The Royals' Joff Watkins on harmonica, plus rhythm section Andi McLean and Marley Drummond.
“I was bewitched by seeing Bowie perform Starman on TOTP,” Rhoda recalls. “I was 12 going on 13 and thereafter he held sway over all my teenage years. Friendships, music, clothes, attitudes - all were influenced forever. It’s hard to choose, but ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ is one of my favourite Bowie albums. There had been the traditional reggae version of the title track back in the day, but the vocals lacked commitment, so we thought we’d do a proper, modern version.”
‘The Man Who Sold The World’ is the second in a series of five 7” singles (following her cover of Morrissey's 'Every Day Is Like Sunday') all mastered by dubstep pioneer Jason Goz at Transition Mastering - each b/w dub versions - which will be released from now up until Rhoda’s new album next autumn. Each release comes packaged in an exclusive sleeve designed by renowned Sheffield artist Pete McKee.
Coinciding with the release of the single, Rhoda will join revered multi-instrumentalist Terry Edwards (Near Jazz Experience, Higsons, The Blockheads, Madness) and a group of exceptional musicians at his ‘Bowie + Beyond’ (covering the period 1977-1980) nights at Pizza Express, Holborn, London on 5th and 6th January. Tickets on sale here.
Then in March, Rhoda will be playing an eight-date tour, culminating in a London headline show at the legendary 100 Club. Dates are...
Wed 2 March: The Cavern, Liverpool
Thu 3 March: The Cluny, Newcastle
Fri 4 March: Cathouse, Glasgow
Sat 5 March: Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Fri 11 March: Sally Brown’s, Bradford
Sat 12 March: Night Owl, Birmingham
Thurs 17 March: Buttermarket, Shrewsbury
Fri 18 March: The 100 Club, London
Further details and tickets are available here.