Shakatak
This
UK group were one of the original benefactors of the early 80s British
jazz/funk boom (alongside contemporaries Level 42). The group comprised Bill
Sharpe (keyboards), George Anderson (bass), Keith Winter (guitar), Roger Odell
(drums), Nigel Wright keyboards/synthesizers) and Gil Seward vocals). Between
1980 and 1987, Shakatak had 14 UK
chart singles. Since their chart debut with ‘Feels Like The First Time’ on
the Polydor label (a long standing partnership), other notable hits have been
‘Easier Said Than Done’ (1981), Night Birds’ (UK Top 10 - 1982), ‘Dark Is The night’ (1983) and ‘Down
On The Street’ (UK top
10 - 1984). This understated
group proved their reputation as one of the finest purveyors of classy
jazz/funk with the successful K-Tel compilation, The Coolest Cuts. The later half of 80s have shown Shakatak leaving
behind the demands of instant pop chart hits and they allowed themselves to
mature, honing their jazz influences. — most evident on the 1989 set,
Turn
Music Up, their first studio effort in almost five years.
In addition to releasing
a solo album in1988, Sharpe has also collaborated with Gary Numan on, what was
a one-off single,
‘Change your mind in 1985.
On reaching the UK Top 20 it was not until four
years later the duo released a full album, Automatic.[ALBUMS]
Drivin’ Hard (1981)~ Nightbirds
(1982), Out Of This World (1983),Down
on The Street (1984), Live!
(1985), Turn the music up (1989), Bitter Sweet (1991), Street
level[1993]compilations the coolest cuts[1988]the Remix Best Album (1992). Solo albums bill sharpe FAMOUS
PEOPLE[1988], Sharpe with Gary Numan Automatic
(1989).
