The Drizabone Soul Family

The Drizabone Soul Family is a group revived in 2010 by Billy April, later credited under his real name Billy Freeman. The project builds on the earlier Drizabone name and brings together a new line-up of vocalists, with Nataya listed as a member.

Background

Drizabone originally forms around Billy April, April and Garcia, with vocalist Sophie Jones at the time of the single “Real Love”. Jones records the original demo versions of the song, but Dee Heron later takes over the role after Jones decides not to pursue a musical career. Heron is from Jamaica, West Indies.

The group later works with singer Kymberley Peer, who is based in Atlanta, Georgia and previously works with Howard Hewett and Freddie Jackson. Peer has also appeared as an actress in the musical Don’t Get Got Started alongside Marvin Winans and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.

Singles and album releases

The original Drizabone recording “Real Love” reaches number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1991. Their follow-up hit, “Catch the Fire”, reaches number 54. The group then returns with “Pressure”, which reaches number 33, followed by “Brightest Star”, which reaches number 45. “Real Love” is later re-released in 1995 and reaches number 24.

Drizabone also releases the album Conspiracy in 1994, which enters and peaks at number 72 on the UK Albums Chart.

Production work and label

Alongside their own releases, Drizabone handles production and remix work for Lindy Layton, Alison Limerick, Lisa Stansfield, Kylie Minogue and Shanice. All of the group’s charting releases come out on Fourth & Broadway.

The Drizabone Soul Family releases

Under the Drizabone Soul Family name, Freeman releases All the Way in 2010 with a new vocal line-up. The album receives airplay on UK radio, including BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio London, the Smooth Radio Network, Jazz FM and Solar Radio, and BBC Radio 2 names it album of the week in July 2010. Tracks from the album also appear on television, including during Peggy’s departure scene in EastEnders.

The follow-up album The Recipe of Life is announced for release through Absolute Marketing/Universal Music and includes new songs as well as reworked Drizabone material from the 1990s. Named tracks include “Come On Back”, “New York City Nights”, “Sell My Soul” and the title track “The Recipe of Life”.