Backwards and Sideways

In November ’06, internationally acclaimed artist and producer Recloose aka Matthew Chicoine and his 8-piece band of hired hands – some of the finest local musicians about – recorded two concerts at the San Francisco Bathhouse in Wellington, thus delivering one of this year’s most highly anticipated live albums!

Recloose and his dance-funk phenomenon live band have been gigging worldwide since 2005 and now proudly debut a compendium of two special hometown performances in this live album ‘Backwards and Sideways’.

Released on Recloose’s brand new imprint Fingertips, these performances include a number of his own studio classics: “Dust”, “Ain’t Changing” and “Turkish Delight” ; a brand new Recloose teaser from the forthcoming studio album, “So Cool”; alongside some handpicked covers from the glory days of disco boogie, such as Gil Scott-Heron’s “Racetrack in France”.

The ‘Backwards and Sideways’ album project came about after Recloose and the band toured Europe in March ’06. This highly successful excursion won over a slew of new fans, many of whom were only familiar with Recloose as a DJ and producer.

The live band, while interpreting and performing many of Recloose’s studio creations, brought a unique and vibrant energy to the music that made the live result something altogether different. Over time and enough roaring parties, it became clear that these performances needed to be captured and released to the public for home consumption.

Hence the release of ‘Backwards and Sideways’ as well as the birth of Fingertips Records, destined to become home to future Recloose releases and other funky comrades’ projects.

For the uninitiated, this all-star band is a collection of NZ’s most inspired and respected musicians that have come out of their respective bands to play music they wouldn’t normally play and have a brilliant time with it. The lineup is: Matthew ‘Recloose’ Chicoine, Riki Gooch [ex-TrinityRoots, Eru Dangerspiel], Mike Fabulous [Black Seeds], Jonathan Crayford, Lisa Tomlins [Rhombus, Fat Freddy’s Drop live], Tyna Keelan [Tyna and JB], Isaac Aesili [Opensouls, Solaa] and Adan Tijerina.