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Shakatak

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Shakatak is a jazz-funk band founded in 1980, from the UK. They scored a number of top 10 hits, including Easier Said Than Done (1981) and Down on the Street (1984).

Shakatak are:

  • Keith Winter (guitars) more usually Alan Wormauld now , Keith supports the web site
  • Jill Saward (vocals)
  • Bill Sharpe (keyboards)
  • Roger Odell (drums)
  • George Anderson (bass)

and also featured

  • Steve Underwood (bass on the album "DRIVING HARD")
  • Jackie Rawe (vocals on the first four albums)

The group is still particularly popular in Japan and the far east, and generally produces a new album each year.


"EASIER SAID THAN DONE"... these words could be the motto of many aspiring artistes, and SHAKATAK are no exception. The have worked diligently to claim their place as one of the most popular and highly respected contemporary groups in th UK.
From their first record release in August 1980, the Bill Sharp composition 'STEPPIN', the bands singles and albums have charted with a consistency that is rare in the fad conscious world of popular music. 'LIVIN IN THE UK' and 'BRAZILIAN DAWN' became Top 50 singles and virtual anthems of the emerging Brit jazz funk scene, and the bands debut LP 'DRIVIN HARD' became something of an undergound hit in the clubs that were playing the new music.
It was the release of 'EASIER SAID THAN DONE' that was to give the band the radio exposure needed for their first Top 20 hit. This record introduced SHAKATAK'S unique instrumental-unison vocal sound to a much wider audience and was destined to remain on the charts for an incredible 17 weeks!
The follow up 'NIGHT BIRDS' was to be the first single to crack the Top 10, and the album of the same name gave SHAKATAK their first gold album, entering at No. 4 and remaining on the charts for a major International act, giving them the No. jazz album slot in Japan and attracting much interest in Europe and South America.
While all this recording activity was going on, the band were also touring extensively through 1982, performing a total of 132 concerts in one year. The band played live shows throughout the UK, Europe and finally Japan, their blend of great musicianship and sense of fun winning them a huge following World-wide.
Two more albums 'INVITATIONS' and 'OUT OF THIS WORLS' were recorded in 1982 and 1983 resulting in several more chart hits paying the way for the next major breakthrough in the bands career. With a subtle change in musical direction, yet still retaining the bands identity, vocalist JILL SAWARD came forward fulfilling the role as lead vocalist to make the bands fifth album 'DOWN ON THE STREET' and its singles 'DOWN ON THE STREET', and 'WATCHING YOU' a major sucess, not only in their stronghold territories but breaking several new markets.
The following year saw the release of the groups first Live album, recorded in Tokyo and London.
The 7th UK album 'DAY BY DAY' saw the development of song writing by all the band members with everyone contributing, Bill and Roger continuing along the paths of their earlier sucess, Keith providing his unique instrumentals to tax the bands musical abilities, and a special combination of the talents of Jill and George. They were to take this a stage further, when in 1986 Jill announced that their partnership would produce a baby later the same year. This great news gave the band an excuse to stop their hectic touring schedule for a while and concentrate on recording.
The band's massive success in Japan estabilished them firmly in the Top 5 foreign acts, and after winning the coveted Silver Award in the Tokyo International Song Festival, SHAKATAK were asked to produce an extra album each year exclusively for the Japanese market, and had by this time had two extra albums released there entitled 'INTO THE BLUE' and 'GOLDEN WINGS' - both have been extremely successful, the latter scooping the "BEST INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM 1987" slot at the Japanese Phonograph Record Association Awards.
However, following this success the band felt it was high time they directed their efforts back to singles and an album for the rest of the world. The result being 'SOMETHING SPECIAL' closely followed by the club and chart hit 'MR MANIAC & SISTER COOL' and the album 'MANIAC & COOL'.
Not forgetting their Japanese following a third special project album entitled 'DA MAKANI' was recorded and released, again emulating their previous chart successes.

Discography

  • Drivin' Hard (1981)
  • Nightbirds (1982)
  • Invitations (1982)
  • Out of This World (1983)
  • Down on the Street (1984)
  • Shakatak Live! (1985)
  • Day By Day/City Rhythm (1985)
  • Into The Blue (1986)
  • Golden Wings (1987)
  • Never Stop Your Love (1987)
  • Manic and Cool (1988)
  • Perfect Smile (1990)
  • Open Your Eyes (1991)
  • Night Moves (1992)
  • Christmas Dreams (1992)
  • On the Street (1993)
  • Full Circle (1995)
  • Live at Ronnie Scott's (1998)
  • Shinin On (1998)
  • Christmas Album (1998)
  • Magic (1999)
  • Under Your Spell (2001)
  • Dinner Jazz (2002)
  • Blue Savannah (2003)
  • Easier Said Than Done (2005, live)

Compilations

  • Smooth Solos (2003)

3-part compilation set, compiled by Roger Odell on request of fans:

  • Sunset Jazz (1/3)
  • After Dark (2/3)
  • Drive Time (3/3)
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