S-P-(((o)))-T-L-I-G-H-T ::: 3 Songs with Pete Simpson

Season 3 of Blue-in-Green:RADIO's S-P-(((o)))-T-L-I-G-H-T series continues with the celebration of some of our favourite vocalists.  In support of our selections, we've plucked a snazzy 3-song round-up featuring a mish-mash of under-appreciated collaborations and under-the-radar remixes that may have passed listeners by.

The amazing UK vocalist Pete Simpson finds himself the target of our celebrations today.  As one of the most dynamic and versatile sings within the country today, Simpson's musical legacy runs deep amidst the contemporary landscape which has seen the singer grace an incredibly vast array of projects including the drum & Bass of Hospital Records, the disco-inspired boogie of Joey Negro & The Sunburst Band or tracks that delve deeper into the soulful house and dance diaspora.  In typical S-P-(((o)))-T-L-I-G-H-T fashion, we've plucked a trio of some of our favourite Simpson numbers which offers a mere snapshot of what's covered in the full episode.

Here are three Pete Simpson tracks that no Pete Simpson collection should be without...

1. 'Weightless' by Middlewood Sessions featuring Pete Simpson (2012)

The self-titled nine track release by the Middlewood Sessions was a truly sensational project that unfortunately we didn't get more from.  Based in Sheffield, UK, the ensemble was helmed by Mark Slater and Alex Beauchamp and, as described on their Bandcamp page, strived "to forge heavyweight dance floor jazz jams and widescreen down tempo beats".  A noble description - and certainly an apt one - when considering the vast scope the project sought to encompass.  Boasting two guest spots from Pete Simpson in 'Weightless' and 'Help Me', Middlewood Sessions was a fantastic project for the vocalist to appear on and demonstrate a different side of his musical make-up.

2. 'You Make Me Feel' by Hundred Strong by Pete Simpson (2011)

Producer Ben Dubuisson has a variety of projects over the years including Cosmic Link and Deep Patterns.  Back in 2011 however, his breakout project would come in the form of Hundred Strong and the album 'Stylin Free'.  A project that encompassed a range of musical styles from R&B to hip-hop with nods to club culture, Dubuisson's versatile project further boasted contributions from Amp Fiddler, J. Todd and Joseph Malik.  Pete Simpson guests on the album's closing number - and one of the album's standout tracks - in 'You Make Me Feel'.

3. 'Holding You, Loving You' by Shuya Okino featuring Pete Simpson (2011)

Shuya Okino's 'Destiny' album came amidst a whirlwind of excitement upon its release.  Superseded by the disco-esque 'Still in Love' - an excellent production that boasts a delicious jazz break near the song's climax - the eleven track album proved a triumph for one-half of the revered Kyoto Jazz Massive duo.  Featuring some excellent vocalists across the project including Divinti, Clara Hill and N'Dea Davenport, Pete Simpson's two-track appearance makes an invaluable contribution most notably for his tackling of the Don Blackman classic, 'Holding You, Loving You'.  Fans of the CD version of the album further delighted in the elegant matt laminate version of the casing giving another reason to cherish this record.