News: Radio Riddler to release Prince tribute LP ‘Purple Reggae’
2 min read
(UK) It’s 30 years since the release of one of the most influential albums of all time, Prince’s Purple Rain. In celebration of the milestone, Radio Riddler present their first full-length album ‘Purple Reggae’ – released on 29 September, a loving tribute to a pop genius in their own unique style that’s been approved by the Purple Prince himself.
A labour of love that’s been five years in the making for the production outfit, Purple Reggae started life as an experiment between Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ Frank Benvini and Fast Leiser, aka Radio Riddler in between their remixes for the likes of Coldplay and Lily Allen. Initially convinced their idea of a reggae tribute to their musical hero wouldn’t work, the duo were pleasantly surprised with their first efforts and the idea snowballed from there, with a who’s who of the music world clamouring to pay tribute to one of the most iconic performers of all time.
UB40’s Ali Campbell’s version of ‘Purple Rain’ has already garnered a lot of attention during his live shows, while Suggs has hailed his own take on ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ as a “piece of genius”. Radio Riddler themselves approached Sinead O’Connor, who, having reached international success with her take on Prince track ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, they expected to dismiss their request but she was delighted to join them in the studio to record ‘I Would Die 4 U’.
Rock and blues singer Deborah Bonham, The Slits singer Hollie Cook, US songwriter Citizen Cope, and soul starlet Beverly Knight have also leant their talents to the album. Their diverse vocal styles over a reggae backdrop have resulted in a fresh, unique, perfectly-crafted tribute that will inspire as much affection as Purple Rain did 30 years ago.
The album ‘Purple Reggae’ out September 29 in the UK, through MITA.
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