Since she burst onto the scene in the late 60s, Spanky Wilson has recorded with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Sammy Davis Jnr., Lalo Schifrin, Jimmy Smith and Willie Bobo. Renowned as a soul singer beyond comparison on both sides of the Atlantic, she has consistently released quality music for the past four decades, always collaborating with some of the most talented and respected producers of the day.
True to form, her new album – ‘I’m Thankful’ – sees her team up with Will Holland of The Quantic Soul Orchestra to produce a stunning collection of 21st Century jazz, funk, big band and soul music. Will and Spanky first collaborated in 2005 on two tracks for the third Quantic album, ‘Mishaps Happening’. Inspired by this positive experience, they decided to write an album together. Months of work culminated in a week-long recording session in Spanky’s hometown of Los Angeles, California. Will recruited some of the funk-soul scene’s finest players to help him realise his vision.
Quantic’s last solo album, ‘An Announcement To Answer’ was hailed across the board as his best and most accomplished to date. With this in mind, the prospect of a new Quantic Soul Orchestra LP is an exciting one for fans of raw, impassioned funk music – more so when you consider that, this time, the star of the show will be Spanky Wilson.
With combined sales of 50,000 and counting, the first two QSO albums were a revelation for the UK funk music scene. Their popularity both at home and across the ocean in America – the birthplace of funk – helped launch the solo career of Alice Russell and cemented Will’s reputation as a talented composer and arranger as well as one of today’s most prolific producers.
An extended period of touring culminated in a triumphant set at Glastonbury 2005, when the QSO filled an empty tent with a crowd of around 8000 awestruck festival-goers. This November the QSO will finally return to the live circuit for a nationwide tour, including a four night stint at London’s popular Jazz Café, fronted by none other than Spanky Wilson herself.
Versatile, raw, emotive and honest in any style she turns her hand to, Spanky Wilson remains as inspirational as she has always been – and her collaboration with The Quantic Soul Orchestra is further evidence of this.
