{"product_id":"so-tender-games-instrumental","title":"So Tender \/ Games (Instrumental)","description":"\u003cp\u003eSourcing rare records to reissue can involve meticulous research and years of digging, but then occasionally, Lady Luck smiles upon you. We probably would have never heard of the \u003cem\u003eMedium Wave Band\u003c\/em\u003e if \u003cstrong\u003eGary\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003cstrong\u003eMr Bongo\u003c\/strong\u003e hadn't known Wolverhampton-based record dealer, \u003cstrong\u003eSteve Ward\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhilst offering \u003cstrong\u003eGary\u003c\/strong\u003e some records for sale, he remembered he had a spare copy of an old 7\" single that he thought \u003cstrong\u003eGary\u003c\/strong\u003e might like. \u003cstrong\u003eSteve\u003c\/strong\u003e didn't know much about the release, and it had never sold on Discogs. Looking at the record itself, it was minimalist in appearance and information, there wasn't much to go on other than that it was from the Birmingham area. The mystery drew us in...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe A-side, \"\u003cem\u003eSo Tender\u003c\/em\u003e\", is a late-night, jazzy slow-jam, with beautifully sultry, soulful female vocals which sounded vaguely familiar. On listening to the B side, \"\u003cem\u003eGames (Instrumental)\u003c\/em\u003e\", you are rewarded with a superb example of Britfunk \/ independent UK jazz-funk. The pulsating, bass-led dancefloor groove and sensibility is a sound reminiscent of productions usually found on labels such as Elite, but the 7\" was not released on a label, it was a private press by the band themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSo who are the enigmatic \u003cem\u003eThe Medium Wave Band\u003c\/em\u003e? After some fruitful internet digging and correspondence, we got the answers. The band lineup featured Elliot Browne on guitar (lead \u0026amp; rhythm), Ron Lyseight on guitar (rhythm), Andrew Proverbs on keyboards, Tony Peart on drums, Paul Snook on bass, Linton Levy on saxophone, and surprisingly, the beautiful vocals we had been enjoying were those of Jackie Graham, aka the hugely successful UK vocalist, Jaki Graham.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMaybe best known for her pop hit with David Grant, 'Could It Be I'm Falling In Love', but also featuring on the cult classic track 'Fire In My Heart' by Escape From New York. Influenced by artists and bands including George Benson, Ronnie Laws, Weather Report, George Duke, Azimuth and Chick Corea to name a few, the guys booked into a studio near the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham and recorded the two tracks that make up this 7\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnly 200 copies of the original 7\" were ever pressed and were sold mostly in Birmingham at Summit Records by the band's friend DJ Frenchi, as well as at live shows. Despite its limited distribution channels, the record received solid support from fans and those in the music industry, including Morgan Khan of the influential record label, Street Sounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDJ and journalist, Lindsay Wesker, reviewed the release and this led to the band travelling to London for several radio interviews. They played live shows across the country, including at the prestigious Ronnie Scott's in London, and supported both Shakatak and Weapon of Peace in Birmingham. Thanks to all those involved bringing this release into fruition and for solving the mystery behind a wonderful Britfunk and UK soul record that could have otherwise been lost in the mists of time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50493017588043,"sku":"2224919","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b5b603c4-e70d-4d59-b89e-9934b2e8044e_72fdc990_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728299519","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/products\/so-tender-games-instrumental","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}