Weekend Sun – Figo

"A debut release for this British duo who have benefited from support from, amongst others, 6Music's Craig Charles. Comprising DJ Chris Tarn and double-bassist Phil Smith, Weekend Sun conjure up gorgeous echoes of piano jazz legend Ramsey Lewis on lead song "Figo" and evoke smoky Northern Soul on "Keep Running". They also show off a more studio-based production savvy on "The Last Monkey", with some beautifully punchy drums shining through a miasmic range of oscillating keyboards and alto sax." Juno Download

"A debut release for this British duo who have benefited from support from, amongst others, 6Music's Craig Charles. Comprising DJ Chris Tarn and double-bassist Phil Smith, Weekend Sun conjure up gorgeous echoes of piano jazz legend Ramsey Lewis on lead song "Figo" and evoke smoky Northern Soul on "Keep Running". They also show off a more studio-based production savvy on "The Last Monkey", with some beautifully punchy drums shining through a miasmic range of oscillating keyboards and alto sax." Juno Download

Press release:

Weekend Sun is a coming together of 2 minds, and then a few more minds…

Hidden away in the North East of England, DJ Chris Tarn & double bass player Phil Smith discovered they shared a fondness for sampling long forgotten or never discovered dusty vinyl and decided to hook up and bounce around a few ideas. These ideas took a life of their own as they started to work with live musicians and the sound of the band took on more of a live feel. The songs were passed around friends and ended up getting radio plays on Craig Charles’ Funk & Soul Show (BBC 6 Music) and Pete Isaac’s Jelly Jazz Show and were played extensively on local radio stations up in the North East of England.

After coming to Hero Records attention, the label are proud to release the bands debut single ‘Figo’ b/w ‘Keep On Running' on limited edition vinyl and digital download.

The lead track ‘Figo’ see the band throw elements of jazz, house, latin and swing into the melting pot to come up with the feelgood, energetic, dancefloor stomper ‘Figo’. This track has already been championed by the like of Craig Charles Funk and soul show andis sure to be a summer favourite on the cooler dancefloors around the world.

The flipside of the single see guest vocalist Esther Taylor joining additional musicians Alan D. Law, Gavin Lee and Jim McBriarty to help Weekend Sun move into jazz-tinged soul and funk territory with the slower but equally funky ‘Keep Running’.

The digital release of the single adds a further 2 tracks with the haunting vocals and double-time beats of ‘The Last Monkey’ showing a mellower side to band. Finally Hero Records’ label bosses Hero No.7 provide a remix of ”Figo’ adding stripped down the track and adding house-style disco breaks and rattling percussion to create a less frantic but just as dancefloor-friendly remix.

A true musical treat for funk, soul, house and jazz lovers proving that Weekend Sun as definitely a name to watch out for in the future.

“Good stuff, I’ll support for sure” Smoove (Smoove & Turrell / Jalapeno / Wack Records)

“A cracking piece of dancefloor action.” Craig Charles (BBC Radio 6)

“Figo is the feelgood hit of the summer. Fantastic modern Jazz sounds from Darlington!” Renegades Of Jazz (Wass Records)

“Nice dancefloor rocker. Would get the ladies dancing too” K-Delight (Ruf Beats / Playing Around)

“Outstanding percussion doing a funky little dance with the rhythm section whilest the horns are trying to make everyone party together” Mark Boyd (Heavenly Social)

“Love Figo and Keep Running …. nice female vocal, i find a lot of nu funk female vocals a bit weak but this sits really nicely. Full marks.” Steve Austin (Bongo Club)

“Can see it appealing to fans of Mr Scruff” Martin Brew (J-Walk / Fat City)

“Bass sounds great on Keep Running, very Roy Budd sounding” Mark Gurney

Press release:

Weekend Sun is a coming together of 2 minds, and then a few more minds…

Hidden away in the North East of England, DJ Chris Tarn & double bass player Phil Smith discovered they shared a fondness for sampling long forgotten or never discovered dusty vinyl and decided to hook up and bounce around a few ideas. These ideas took a life of their own as they started to work with live musicians and the sound of the band took on more of a live feel. The songs were passed around friends and ended up getting radio plays on Craig Charles’ Funk & Soul Show (BBC 6 Music) and Pete Isaac’s Jelly Jazz Show and were played extensively on local radio stations up in the North East of England.

After coming to Hero Records attention, the label are proud to release the bands debut single ‘Figo’ b/w ‘Keep On Running' on limited edition vinyl and digital download.

The lead track ‘Figo’ see the band throw elements of jazz, house, latin and swing into the melting pot to come up with the feelgood, energetic, dancefloor stomper ‘Figo’. This track has already been championed by the like of Craig Charles Funk and soul show andis sure to be a summer favourite on the cooler dancefloors around the world.

The flipside of the single see guest vocalist Esther Taylor joining additional musicians Alan D. Law, Gavin Lee and Jim McBriarty to help Weekend Sun move into jazz-tinged soul and funk territory with the slower but equally funky ‘Keep Running’.

The digital release of the single adds a further 2 tracks with the haunting vocals and double-time beats of ‘The Last Monkey’ showing a mellower side to band. Finally Hero Records’ label bosses Hero No.7 provide a remix of ”Figo’ adding stripped down the track and adding house-style disco breaks and rattling percussion to create a less frantic but just as dancefloor-friendly remix.

A true musical treat for funk, soul, house and jazz lovers proving that Weekend Sun as definitely a name to watch out for in the future.

“Good stuff, I’ll support for sure” Smoove (Smoove & Turrell / Jalapeno / Wack Records)

“A cracking piece of dancefloor action.” Craig Charles (BBC Radio 6)

“Figo is the feelgood hit of the summer. Fantastic modern Jazz sounds from Darlington!” Renegades Of Jazz (Wass Records)

“Nice dancefloor rocker. Would get the ladies dancing too” K-Delight (Ruf Beats / Playing Around)

“Outstanding percussion doing a funky little dance with the rhythm section whilest the horns are trying to make everyone party together” Mark Boyd (Heavenly Social)

“Love Figo and Keep Running …. nice female vocal, i find a lot of nu funk female vocals a bit weak but this sits really nicely. Full marks.” Steve Austin (Bongo Club)

“Can see it appealing to fans of Mr Scruff” Martin Brew (J-Walk / Fat City)

“Bass sounds great on Keep Running, very Roy Budd sounding” Mark Gurney