Marking the 30-Year Anniversary of Prince‘s iconic album, Purple Rain, Radio Riddler gives it the reggae treatment with Purple Reggae. The album features Sinead O’ Connor, UB40‘s Ali Campbell, Citizen Cope & more…
Radio Riddler is Brian Fast Leiser and Frank Benbini from Fun Lovin’ Criminals. Being lovers of Reggae/Dub music, they started out producing reggae/dub remixes of many artists including Adele, The Beatles, Lauryn Hill, Coldplay, Lily Allen as well as their first release, Marvin Reggae; a 5 track EP of Marvin Gaye songs.
Radio Riddler’s debut album, Purple Rain, will drop on October 28th, 2014 via MITA Records after more than 5 years in the making. It was produced & performed by Radio Riddler with guest appearances by Deborah Bonham, Citizen Cope, Sinead O’Connor, Beverley Knight & Ali Campbell.
The biggest surprise has to be Sinead O’Connor singing “I Would Die 4 U”. She was approached by Radio Riddler due to her international success with her take on Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” and she enthusiastically agreed.
UB40’s Ali Campbell provided his vocals for the title track “Purple Rain” & you can see the video for the song below, that was released back in June! Citizen Cope is on “When Doves Cry” while Deboarh Bonham lends her take on “Take Me With U”.
“Prince is the reason I started playing music,” shares guitarist & vocalist Frank Benbini. “I grew up on this album. It’s the soundtrack to my life and this is a tribute to him from me.”
You can pre-order Purple Reggae on iTunes by clicking HERE!
Radio Riddler is on the road through Europe in support of this release & their live band consists of 6 total performers with:
Frank Benbini – Vocals, Guitar
Brian Fast Leiser – Keyboards, Trumpet, FX, Vocals
Naim Cortazzi – Guitar, Vocals
Darryl Reid – Drums, FX
Adrian Dubby – Bass Guitar
Jay Lindsey – Trombone
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Article By: Mike Patti
Watch: Radio Riddler – “Purple Rain” (feat. Ali Campbell of UB40)