Black Lillies (a.k.a. Universal Funk)
(CD) Freestyle Records FSRCD072, 2010-09-06

Tracklisting :
01. Cannonball
02. Cargo
03. A Rock In The Rain
04. Between The Lines
05. I Need A Little Time
06. Secret Love Affair
07. In A Sweet Way
08. Searching
09. Elles Groove
10. Vinternat



Links :
universalfunk.com
myspace.com/universalfunk
freestylerecords.co.uk
myspace.com/freestylerecordsuk
soundcloud.com/freestyle-records
facebook.com/pages/Freestyle-Records/126130671970
facebook.com/group.php?gid=2397625339
Distribution : kudosrecords.co.uk

Press Release :
Previously known as Universal Funk, The Black Lillies debut Freestyle release is a distinctive and highly original work. Fusing electronica, soul, house & jazz with an ethereal, eclectic other worldly feel and featuring contributions from Thulla Wamberg, Hannah Vasanth & Jo Harrop.

Back in the winter of 2008, Tonny Svensson and Jens Minke started work on fresh material for a new album for Freestyle Records, and now in 2010 this Copenhagen collective present their new material imbibed with a fresh and highly original approach.

Opening with atmospheric strings and piano Cannonball serves notice that this project benefits from the widest possible musical horizons and fresh production ideas. If proof were needed of that the inclusion ofThulla Wamberg, who is a highly original vocalist whose voice brings a timeless, quirky folky edge to all the tracks she sings on, but none more so than In A Sweet Way which hints what Bjork and Zero 7 may have come up with after being locked in a studio together.

Contrastingly, following on is the uptempo jazz infused club number Cargo where plaintive piano chords ride across Brazilian beats and brass to create a hypnotic, mesmerizing soundscape.

In demand keyboardista sista Hannah Vasanth (Rihanna/Natalie Williams/ Bugz in the Attic, Gnarls Barkley) and vocalist Jo Harrop who work together as Stereofixx contribute wonderfully on several tracks, but never more beautifully than on Between The Lines a lively, brass led latino house stepper that has already seen the light of day as a Freestyle 12 inch (FSR089)

The Back Lillies have struck a wonderful balance between touching composition and inspiring grooves, a feat not all that try actually succeed at. The Black Lillies have created their own niche by avoiding the obvious, striving to create new sounds using whatever influences and sounds they can combine and make beautiful music - and they have succeeded.

Feedback :
"This is the soundtrack to my summer!!" - Jazz 91.9fm WCLK (Ahmad Jamal)

"Black Lillies will blossom and flower to success with this album release" - www.starpointradio.com (Paul 'Abbo' Abbott)

"A nice relaxed laid back summer album" - Further in Fusion Radio (Markus Milz)

"Really enjoyable jazz for a summers day" - BBC Radio 3 Late Junction (Nick Luscombe)

"Between the lines and Cargo are the most interesting tracks. Will be brilliant to see these guys live doing these numbers Will give so much energy to the audience" - StompFM (Ket Shah)

"Cool, groovy, soothing. Perfect for the summer" - WHCR 90.3 FM (Michael Stukes)

"A solid blend of world, soul and funk on one LP. Heard Universal Funk back in the day when I was given their album while visiting Copenhagen; good to know that the crew is still making music now as Black Lillies. Coolness." - Urban Landscapes (Velanche)

"Stunning album! Amazing arrangements and packed with wonderful ideas and playing. This is has class written all over it." - Craig Charles Funk & Soul ()

"It's an amazing release. Cool Deep and Ethereal Jazz for my pleasure!" - Jazz It Up Radioshow (Simone Vimercati)

"Funky jazz latino festival vibe that's guaranteed to raise your spirits and wish you were dancing in a field with ten thousand others!" - Edinburgh Evening News (Grant Paterson)

"The Black Lillies espouse a solid line in Latino-influenced dancefloor busters, with a smattering of downtempo grooves for the more laid back heads" - (DJ Richie Vegas)

"An interesting release, ideal for my show. I will be supporting this on the radio." - Amber Sound fm (Les Wright)

"Black Lillies takes you on a gentle journey through worldly fusions." - Starpoint Radio (Phil Levene)

"It's not often do you get a contemporary jazz album from which you love every single track!" - Radio Reverb (Kappa)

"The perfect soundtrack for the Summer.From Soulful Jazzy House songs to Downtempo Beautifullness!" - (Savvas Hantzaradis)