Ben Cox Band - new album and UK live dates.

Saturday, October 08, 2016

Jazz vocalist and songwriter Ben Cox and his Band will release their new album "Round and Round" on October 14th 2016. They will also be playing a short series of UK live dates in October & November.

We have received the following press release;

The Ben Cox Band
Round and Round
Released: 14th October 2016

“Ben Cox has an unexpected arsenal of chromatic and harmonic dexterity”- LondonJazzNews

“Ben Cox and Keyboardist Jamie Safir are the new Steely Dan. They have plenty of genre busting ideas and are a welcome addition to the UK Jazz Scene.” Nigel Williams, JazzFM

Introducing the second album from the UK’s Most Exciting New Jazz Vocalist.

It’s been just over 2 years since Ben Cox burst onto the scene and his new album Round and Round proves the early confidence was justified. His debut album was straight onto the airwaves with Jamie Cullum, and then a follow up session at BBC Maida Vale. 2 sold out shows at Ronnie Scott’s, a launch at Pizza Express Live Jazz Club, and then came Cheltenham Jazz Festival which included a sold out lunch gig followed by a warm up slot for Gregory Porter at the prestigious Ultimate Jazz House Party at 131. Scarborough and Southport Jazz Festivals followed, and a new Jazz voice was born.

The second album continues the successful collaboration between Cox and his co-writer, pianist Jamie Safir. On their JazzFM live session, Nigel Williams commented “they are the new Steely Dan” perhaps recalling the intricacies of two writers separately bringing their own writing styles to a complete album - but it works magnificently; Jamie Safir’s growing reputation as a composer and arranger, and Ben Cox’s mesmerising tone and perfect delivery are a combination that pushes them right to the top of emerging British talent.

As a young band, they once again bring a fresh, distinctive sound to the genre that no one else can replicate. 

Taking their time to hone the music before recording, Round and Round is an exceptional album with an inclusive vibe, destined to by enjoyed by both the avid jazz fan and those who simply love to be entertained by great music. Liane Carroll, one of their biggest fans guests on the track Way of Life, penned by Cox and says:
”Ben Cox owns a stunning capacity to live through each song with a rich tone and beautifully honest heart. Jamie Safir plays with such an exciting and generous style. I think we may have found the best new jazz talent to emerge from the UK. Highly recommended “

Round and Round has been crafted as an album from start to finish, from the hypnotic groove of the opening track Cathaleen with its Rhodes & Piano, through the duet with Liane Carroll recalling Miles on So What and Van Morrison on Moondance, all the way through to Everything in One Night, full of Donald Fagen vibes with arpeggiated synth, chugging clavinet and slinky vibraphone – the listener can lose themselves in the songwriter’s tales of London, Love and everyday routines (Round and Round with James Taylor vibes aplenty).

With a string of live dates in the pipeline and a dedicated fanbase of established musicians and aficionado’s that’s growing by the day, Ben Cox looks to be destined for great things in 2016:http://www.bencoxband.com/

What People Are Saying About The Ben Cox Band:

“Ben Cox possesses a voice drenched in soul and swing, that sounds like nobody else. He is a cracking songwriter and collaborator, A true talent” – Ian Shaw

“Ben Cox owns a stunning capacity to live through each song with a rich tone and beautifully honest heart. Jamie Safiruddin plays with such an exciting and generous style. . I think we may have found the best new jazz talent to emerge from the UK. Highly recommended” – Liane Carroll

LIVE DATES:

14th October 2016 – Album Launch North The Cinnamon Club, Altrincham, Manchester
17th October 2016 – Album Launch South Pizza Express Jazz Club, London
3rd November Supporting 10CC, Festival Theatre, Chichester
4th Novermber   Supporting 10CC, Spa Pavilion, Felixtowe
18th November London Jazz Festival Live at Zedel, London

Ben Cox’s new album, Round and Round will be available to buy on iTunes from and in all good music stores on 14th October 2016 / http://www.bencoxband.com/

Round and Round, album & production notes September 2016

A few notes about the inspiration behind Round and Round, and why it was key to get the right producer on board, someone who could bring 30 years of jazz & pop experience to our project, adding subtle synths, keys and grooves to our songs. We love London, yet we think it’s crazy. We crave friends and families, yet we love the late night dens of iniquity. We know we shouldn’t go there, but sometimes we do…..
Neil Hughes, Cinnamon Records.

Ben Cox BC singer, songwriter
Jamie Safir JS pianist, keyboards, arranger, producer
Jonnie Musgrave JM producer

Lead the Way
BC A song simply about escaping the craziness of the city and moving to the country. Dreaming of escape, leading my partner away, we sat drinking on the Thames watching the boats go by and day turn into night. Can we escape? Who is leading who ?
JM Some lovely two piano work with Wurlitzer & acoustic Yamaha by Jamie. Great, instantly singable soprano hook from Matt Davies interspersed through this song. Lovely vocal & whistle backing figure behind the sax solo. The sound of this brought to mind James Taylor’s September Road. Exquisite brushes by Will Glaser & beautiful upright by Flo Moore.

Cathaleen
JS When you know someone or something is truly bad for you in the long run but incredibly thrilling in the moment. You have to really force yourself to keep away but sometimes just can’t resist the temptation.
JM I’m a sucker for synth strings & love Jamie’s mini arrangement on this. It really ties the hypnotic groove, sensitive bass playing & understated acoustic guitar part together. Beautiful Rhodes & acoustic piano interplay throughout. Classic, almost Bacharach-like instrumental bridge. Shades of David Gates & Bread

The Way of Life (featuring Liane Carroll)
BC We all have different lifestyles and this song splits the verses across 3 different personas. The first verse is a fisherman in Scotland fishing for his family’s dinner, the second is about someone working in the city going to the pub at the end of the day and missing the last train home, and the last verse is someone who is on their own and has gone on a night out trying to find someone. So similar yet so different we each have our own Way of Life
JM Jazzy vibes here, one to be very careful with. The band completely captured that coolness that emanates from So What (Miles) & Moondance (Van Morrison). The sheer rawness & emotion that Liane conveys in her vocals blew me away. Great interaction between Ben & Liane.

Richie
JS I love imagining what people’s lives and pasts are like even when I don’t really know them. I like to fabricate stories about them in my head and wanted speculate about this particular person who has a highly unconventional job and lifestyle. Writing for String Quartet has always interested me but I wanted to make them equal players in the song and story, not just a form of backing like in so many pop-songs. This idea is inspired by many kinds of chamber music from the 19th century this was written for similar instrumentation.
JM There was always a massive Rufus Wainwright vibe to this song for me. A magical conversation between the beautifully raw string quartet, voice & a lovely vintage sounding Steinway.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World
JS Re-arranging songs that lots of people know and love is one of my favourite things to do - trying to remove all the elements and totally change the setting whilst maintaining the sentiment and intention of the song. Our version loses the 12/8 pull of the original….. for a while.
JM Wicked arrangement from Jamie! Snarky Puppy would be proud of this one. It was also great to work on a cover of one of my favourite synth pioneering bands Tears for Fears. Outstanding Hammond & Wurlitzer work provide the texture alongside the haunting horn lines. I love the beautifully understated almost Lyle Mays-like Oberheim synth solo through the middle section of this.

If Only
JS A song about knowing about friends who are going through tough times, unimaginable times. Trying to help someone when you can’t is very frustrating but song writing is hopefully one of the most cathartic processes.
JM Subtle R&B & gospel overtones throughout this tune.  Big bridge! Swirling synth pads almost McCartney-like.

Round & Round
BC A song written for my Niece’s 2nd birthday. It’s about taking her to the park and going round all the different swings and slides. Also has the meaning of having the same routine every day. From getting up in the morning to going to bed at night. Every day is going round and round. This song was inspired by James Taylor’s Sweet baby James (a song about his Nephew)
JM - Very strong with James Taylor vibes again here from Ben. A plethora of keyboard sounds, Hammond, piano, Wurlitzer, celeste, bells & various pads provide interesting but not stifling textures throughout. Lovely uplifting Shower the People style outro.

Everything in One Night
JS London again, this is a tale of nocturnal hedonism, of Soho’s late night drinking spots and dens of iniquity. It’s London’s friendliest place to me - I really feel at home here.
JM Big Donald Fagen Vibes here. We really had to nail the rhythm section parts with that kind of precision in mind. Everything from the arpeggiated synth to the chugging clavinet part had to have its place. Slightly psychedelic phased backing vocals, slinky vibraphone playing & cool muted trumpet provide a cool atmospheric backdrop to the chorus. Mega synth soloing through the bridge recalled Easy by Al Jarreau & Feel Like Making Love by George Benson.

The Water is wide/Love you forever
BC A love song to end the album, returning to the sentiment expressed in the first track Lead The Way, a desire to escape with one’s partner. I also book ended the song with two verses from one of my favourite Scottish folk songs ‘The Water is wide’. It’s a sort of juxtaposition as the songs original meaning is that true love fades away. However, instead of continuing to that point it goes into Love You Forever, meaning quite the opposite.
JM So simple and effective, Ben is on Piano – lots more to come from Ben Cox

Musicians
Ben Cox - Vocals, Piano
Jamie Safir - Pianos, Keys, Acoustic Guitar
Will Glaser -  Drums
Flo Moore - Electric & Double Bass
Adam Chatterton - Trumpet (8), Flugelhorn (5,7)
Matt Davies - Saxophone (1,7)
Liane Carroll - Vocals (3)
Jonni Musgrave - Keyboards

Lucy Nolan - Viola (4)
Simmy Singh - Violin (4)
Sophie Hudgell - Violin(4)
Adam Szabo - Cello (4)

Produced by Jamie Safir & Jonnie Musgrave
Mixed by Mark Jones at MJM Recording
Mastered by Fluid