Soulful Man

'Soulful Man' is a hefty slice of Latin Soul from acclaimed UK band Grupo X, featuring vocalist and legendary UK house, soul, funk and jazz artist, Lisa Millett.

The track is the lead single from Grupo X's hotly-anticipated sixth album release, 'Saturday Night', out on 11th June 2021.

'Soulful Man', written by long-time collaborators Jonny Enright and Sean Corby, was recorded at the famous Eve Studios in Stockport, with overdubs at the Butcher's Shop in London. It features an all-star cast of some of the finest jazz, soul and Latin musicians and session players in the UK.

Grupo X full line up: Lisa Millett (ATFC/ Defected) on vocals, Al MacSween - piano (Ruby Turner/ Courtney Pine), Simon Edwards - bass (Fairground Attraction/ Talk Talk), Jim Le Messurier - drums (Penya/ Tito Allen), Pete Eckford - percussion (Chaz Jankel/ Leroy Hutson), Dave Pattman - percussion (Paul McCartney/ Cubanismo), Olly Drew - guitar (Freeloader/ MyVoxSongs), Sean Corby - trumpet, flugel (Jazz Jamaica/ Kobo Town) and bandleader Jonny Enright - trombone (Gregory Isaacs / Elbow).

Background:

Formed in London in 1997, by trombonist/composer/ arranger, Jonny Enright, Grupo X's pioneering, crossover Latin sound developed through regular appearances at London's Jazz Cafe in the late 90s / early 2000s, as well as performances in the UK and around mainland Europe, both under their own name and as the first call backing band for visiting Latin music stars and legends from across the Atlantic ocean.

Collaborating with many internationally-renowned artists over the years including "Mr Bongo" Jack Costanzo, US vibes jazz legend Dave Pike, West Coast percussionists Bobby Matos and Johnny Blas, Cuban pianist and Joe Cuba sideman Alfredo Rodriguez plus NYC salsa stars Jimmy Sabater (Fania Records) trombonist Jimmy Bosch and the "King of Latin Soul", Joe Bataan helped to shape their unique sound.

Grupo X previous album releases are: X-Posure (2001), Food For Your Latin Soul (2006), Grupo X Remixed (2008), As Hills Go By (2011), Songs From Our Latin Soul (2016).

Grupo X track 'Jonny's Bugalu' featured on the DSW Shoes TV commercial, airing across the USA in 2007

'Sunshine and You' was licensed by West Ham United FC to promote their new signing Felipe Anderson in 2018 in videos, seen by millions across social media.

Reactions to 'Kind of Blue' single release (2020):

"this wonderful slice of spiritual soul from one of the UK's leading Latin soul outfits"

Craig Charles BBC6Music,

'"Another slice of summer from Grupo X. Perfect feel-good vibes for 2020"

Adrian Gibson, AGMP

"LOVE this track - reminds me of Incognito.... wonderful track"

Simon Harrison basic-soul.co.uk

'Absolutely love that song! Maybe your strongest yet.'

DJ Jamie Renton

'Very uplifting and needed some joy in my life during these dark days of the current health crisis."

DJ Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love

"..really love that. especially Kind of Blue is very good. love to play my worldwide fm show on next Monday."

Toshio Matsuura Worldwide FM