Beggar and Co
| Beggar and Co | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Genres | Pop |
| Labels | Ensign, RCA |
| Associated acts | Light of the World |
| Website | http://www.myspace.com/beggarandco |
| Members | |
|
Kenny Wellington (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals) Peter Hinds (keyboards) Billy Osborne (drums) Camelle Hinds (Bass) Orphy Robinson (vibraphone) Harry Brown (trombone) Noel McKoy (lead vocals) Otto Williams (bass) Robert 'Skins' Anderson (percussion) |
|
| Notable instruments | |
| Brass, percussion, guitars, bass, keyboards | |
Beggar & Co (also written Beggar and Co) are a group composed of core members Kenny Wellington, David Baptiste, Neville 'Breeze' McKrieth and other guest musicians, specialising in jazzfunk and dance music. Baptiste, Wellington and McKrieth were the founder members of the group Light Of The World who were originally formed to play some jazzfunk and dance music but also enjoyed some chart success in the UK Top 75 with music from the 'Roundtrip' album. 'London Town', 'I Shot The Sherrif' and 'Time' all entered the UK charts. Each of these songs were featured on various compilations albums which were certified as gold records and greatly increased the exposure and popularity of the group.
At this juncture various members began to record in offshoot bands, the most popular being Incognito led by Jean Paul Maunick. Gee Bello formed a short lived group The Team and recorded a well-received dance floor hit 'Wicky Wacky/House Party' originally recorded by The Fatback Band and Fred Wesley and The JB's respectively.
Wellington, Baptiste and McKrieth formed Beggar & Co and experienced immediate chart success outselling the previous biggest LOTW hit 'Time' which they had also written with their first two releases. The first release was called (Somebody) Help Me Out, which entered the chart on 7 February 1981. It reached number 15 and was in the chart for ten weeks. The second was called "Mule (Chant No.2)", which entered the chart on 12 September 1981, and reached number 37, remaining in the chart for five weeks.[1] It is worth noting, that most records sold by the band were not sold in chart return shops something which affected most artists in these genre. As a consequence these artists generally sold higher quantities of recordings than reflected by chart positions.
Beggar & Co was also the featured brass section on a number of chart records for other artists including the Spandau Ballet hit single, "Chant No.1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)", which itself peaked at number two in the chart. Other artists include Ultravox, Wham, George Michael, Gabrielle, Billy Ocean and many more.
The horn section - David Baptiste, Kenny Wellington and Nat Augustin - have made many appearances with artists from both the UK and USA including many from the jazzfunk and soul genres. Such artists include trumpeter Tom Browne, vocalist Jean Carne and The Jones Girls.
In 2009 the band released a live recording from The Jazz Cafe Brass, Strings N' Things. This was the first release in many years and was followed in May 2011 by a new studio recording The Legacy on MBJ Records.Current members of the band alongside the original members are Billy Osborne (drums), Otto Williams (bass), Camelle Hinds (bass), Harry Brown (trombone), Toby Baker (keyboards), Peter Hinds (keyboards), Robert 'Skins' Anderson (percussion),Noel McKoy (vocals), Orphy Robinson (vibraphone). Both Kenny Wellington and David Baptiste have also released solo recordings.[1] Kenny Wellington and Richard Bull also produced the album 'Inner Voices' which included the popular songs ' Blue Sky Day' and 'Bahia' Light of the World.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Rice, Tim; Rice, Jonathan; Gambaccini, Paul (1990), Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness World Records and Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0-85112-398-8
- ^ Myspace.com/beggarandco
