The British Council, a major cultural relations organization in the UK, has invited Morcheeba -- one of the hottest bands in the UK today -- to tour China this month.
The band will perform in Chongqing tomorrow and Wednesday, Shanghai on March 14 and 15, Guangzhou on March 19 and Shenzhen on March 21. The Beijing concerts will be at the Yan Club on Saturday and Sunday.
Formed by brothers Ross and Paul Godfrey and singer Skye Edwards, Morcheeba is a band that keeps you guessing.
Paul, the hip-hop head who listens to Nick Drake and the Rolling Stones on his walkman, provides the beats, loops and lyrics. His Hendrix-loving brother Ross adds moody guitar and keys.
They are bonded together by the stirring blues vocals of Edwards, who has a voice that can reach into your heart and tear it apart.
Morcheeba first hit the hip UK music scene with their chilled-out debut single "Trigger Hippie" in 1995.
Their first album "Who Can You Trust?" established them as promising newcomers, tagging along on the trip-hop wave started by Massive Attack and Portishead.
However, it was their platinum second album, "Big Calm," released in 1998, which saw them go ahead of the pack. It is a position they have consolidated on with almost constant touring and a growing reputation as one of the finest live bands in the UK.
Since late 1995, Morcheeba has woven its collective influences of folk, reggae, blues, jazz and hip-hop into a sublime sound.
Morcheeba has sold 4 million albums worldwide and the latest release, "Charango" (named after a South American string instrument), went top five in 12 European countries.
To precede the tour, Morcheeba's record label Warner Music will release "Charango" and "Big Calm" in China.
Morcheeba will be performing with Martin Carling (drums), Dan Goldman (keyboards) and Scott Firth (bass guitar) during the China tour.
(China Daily March 3, 2003)
