Kele Okereke has collaborated with talented vocalist Bobbie Gordon to create their new dance track ‘Down Boy (BACARDÍ Beginnings)’. Released as part of the third and final BACARDÍ Beginnings creative project of 2013, the track was sold solely on 3D printed record.
An up-tempo, two-step dance track, ‘Down Boy (BACARDÍ Beginnings)’ harks back to the 90s but possesses a modern twist, featuring classic garage beats and Bobbie’s sugary but soulful vocals. Taking inspiration from their days going to garage-club nights, the track was an opportunity for the pair to be nostalgic about an era they had fond memories of.
Kele explained the track to us, “Both Bobbie and I love the music from the mid-90s, so we wanted to make something that had a break-beat vibe. Bobbie’s voice is totally unique-sounding; it’s playful and soulful at the same time. She has a very unique quality to her voice but is a versatile singer as well.”
Bobbie Gordon explained: “It’s such a pleasure to work with Kele. To create with someone who you have so much fun with and respect as an artist, has been an incredible experience – I’m so glad to have been part of BACARDÍ Beginnings. We knew from the start the kind of sound we wanted to create together and it just happened organically. We are both excited to have finally released ‘Down Boy (BACARDÍ Beginnings)’.”
The limited edition record ‘Down Boy (BACARDÍ Beginnings)’ was available for purchase from the 3D printing record store at the Vinyl Factory in London from Friday 13 December to Saturday 14 December. Priced at £10 each, all sales proceeds were donated to Nordoff Robbins, the national music charity dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable adults across the UK through music therapy and services. Each record was sold in limited edition record sleeves specially designed by Studio Moross, led by designer Kate Moross.
The pair unveiled dance track ‘Down Boy (BACARDÍ Beginnings)’ at the launch party of the opening of the world’s first 3D printing record store at The Vinyl Factory in central London, with an energetic debut live performance of the track to a packed crowd. The night featured an emotional set from Bobbie, followed by a high-energy performance of ‘Down Boy (BACARDÍ Beginnings)’ by both Kele Okereke and Bobbie Gordon. Kele took the crowd into the night with a DJ set of minimal, tech and deep-house.
‘Down Boy (BACARDÍ Beginnings)’ can be listened to on Soundcloud below..
The BACARDÍ Beginnings campaign this year has seen six music artists take on unconventional briefsaround the creation, production and experience of music, as well as releasing original tracks together. The first project saw Rudimental and Bipolar Sunshine embark on the A&R process in 24 hours – writing, recording, releasing and performing a track all within a day. They will come together once more, with Bipolar Sunshine supporting Rudimental as part of their 2014 tour. The second project saw Toddla T and Roses Gabor release an original track solely via social media, before throwing the track open for a remix contest. All tracks can be listened to, and the creative process for each project has been captured and is available to view, at: http://www.youtube.com/bacardiuk
