Artist description Full on funky soul with meaningful lyrics and passionate delivery.

Music Style R&B/Soul/Funk

Musical Influences Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, James Brown, Al Jarreau

Similar Artists Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Donny Hathaway

Artist History Ola Onabule began recording under his label, Rugged Ram Records, during 1993. This culminated in the release of his first album, ÔMore Soul Than SenseÕ in March 1994. The album did very well with tracks such as ÔYouÕd Better BelieveÕ, ÔBringing Love Back AgainÕ and ÔForever GirlÕ receiving very good airplay and playlisting with stations such as Jazz FM, Kiss and GLR. It was licensed in various territories and tracks from it were included on compilation albums such as Blues & SoulÕs ÔEssentialsÕ album and the Dobra MusicÕs ÔCool StruttinÕ album released in Germany. Only recently another track from this album, ÔLieÕ, was included in the Jazz FM compilation entitled, ÔSoul of Smooth JazzÕ. ÒYouÕd Better BelieveÓ and ÔForever GirlÕ also found favour with the press eliciting excellent reviews. Bob Jones described OlaÕs albums as consisting of songs that were worth holding onto as strongly as to life itself.The follow-up album, ÔFrom Meaning Beyond DefinitionÕ, released in September 97, built upon the achievements of the first album securing Ola his first USA licensing deal with Award Records who are the label for artists such as Ben Sidran, Georgie Fame. Further to this the track, ÔYou SummariseÕ, received heavy rotation on Kiss FM and Jazz FM as well as various ILR radio stations. Several of the tracks such as ÔAll For YouÕ and ÔInner City Dark TanÕ were synchronised to TV programmes such as ÔThe BillÕ and ÔEast EndersÕ as well as to films such as ÔSpinÕ and ÔTres Pas CatholicÕNow Ola presents his newly recorded set entitled ÔPrecious Libations For Silent GodsÕ. Unlike the previous two albums in which Ola programmed and played most of the instrumentation himself, the new album is performed by some of the most accomplished musicians in Britain today. The line up is as follows: Winston Blissett, Bass (Massive Attack, Boy George, Lisa Stansfield) Tim Vine, Piano and Keyboards (Simply Red, Moloko, Us Three)Frank Tontoh, Drums (George Michael, Omar, Connor Reeves, Paul Young)Tony Smith, Guitars (Jocelyn Brown, Roy Ayers, Tanita Tikaram)Ralph Salmins, Drums (Van Morrison, Leonard Bernstein and the LSO Guy Barker)Matt Johnson, Keyboards (Beverly Knight, Elisha Laverne)and John Parricelli ( ex Loose Tubes) widely regarded as the finest jazz guitarist in Britain todayIf an artist can be said to have paid dues then the statement is truer for no one in Britain today than it is for OlaHe is well respected for his live performances which are highly impactive emotionally and he constantly finds himself in the company of the highest calibre of musician on stage. The question he finds himself being asked most frequently is when will his international abilities be displayed on an international platform. We hope you will agree with us that this album is an important step in achieving this goal

Group Members Winston Blissett, Bass (Massive Attack, Boy George, Lisa Stansfield) Tim Vine, Piano and Keyboards (Simply Red, Moloko, Us Three)Frank Tontoh, Drums (CRAIG DAVID,George Michael, Omar, Connor Reeves, Paul Young)Tony Smith, Guitars (Jocelyn Brown, Roy Ayers, Tanita Tikaram)Ralph Salmins, Drums (Van Morrison, Leonard Bernstein and the LSO Guy Barker)Matt Johnson, Keyboards (Beverly Knight, Elisha Laverne)and John Parricelli ( ex Loose Tubes) widely regarded as the finest jazz guitarist in Britain today

Instruments Vocals, Keyboards and Programming

Albums 1. More Soul Than Sense, 2. From Meaning Beyond Definition, 3.Precious Libations For Silent Gods 4.Ambitions for Deeper Breadth

Press Reviews "Songs to hold on to as dearly as to life itself" Muzik Magazine"The finest British Soulman you'll hear all year" Blues and Soul Magazine"THE OLA FACTOR" Blues & Soul. Sept 99I'm kicking off with an album full of pure soul - just for a change. Ola Onabule known simply as Ola to those that have followed his career from his sassy debut set some seven years ago. Ola has been busy, very busy since those early days, starring in Jonathan Woss's Big Talent Show on commercial television and having recorded one of the early 90's street soul anthems in the classic "You'd Better Believe" - when street soul was fashionable of course! He also appeared as backing singer on several of George Michael's appearances and and made several quality live performances, namely at London's Ronnie Scotts and Smollensky's. Like visiting the Pyramids or any of the other eight wonders of the world, one thing everyone should do is see certain people perform live during their lifetime; the likes of Stevie, Jacko, Maxwell, Maze, Prince and for a contemporary offering, Nine Yards for example. In my humble (humble? - Ed) opinion Ola is definitely one of those live acts that you should catch if (a) you like live gigs; (b) you have even an ounce of soul in your veins and (c) if you have a pulse! Ola really does deserve a break as far as getting anything like the sort of financial return he deserves for his obvious loyalty and commitment to quality music whether it be soul or jazz-orientated. It would be most satisfying to see him reap some real/financial rewards. But Ola is very much his own man and continues to demonstrate his musical freedom, never more evident than on this soulful set which puts him firmly back on the track of pure quality, soulful and accessible music without selling out or capitulating to the pressures of securing a hit record.The album reads like a who's who in quality musicians and both Ola and Maria made it perfectly clear to me how thankful they both are to these musicians for their support. The album is titled "Precious Libations For Silent Gods", - well above this east end kid's head but, hey, who cares... the music, and that's always the important thing, is great. The album opens with a cut that is with out a doubt the best soulful cut Ola has recorded since the amazing "You'd Better Believe". The track, "Heartbreak Ghetto", quality soulful groove at its very best. Believe me, soul music in the 90's doesn't get much better than this and on a silkier, smoother and slower tempo is the swayer "The Picture". Ola's vocal power is very evident throughout the set but it is hammered home on this simply stunning cut. This track doesn't just smell of class, it reeks of it!Another great thing about this album is that it's full of live (not synthetic) music and will be refreshing to any soulful ear "Twice As Much" "Birthday Funk" and the Hammond organ-lead "If You Knew" get dirtier and funkier than previous outings from Ola and serve to add to the overall appeal. More melodic biz comes in the shape of the nagging keyboard-introed "Stay Here For Ever" which provide yet more well written Iyrics over quality production. The smooth and sassy ballad "Heart Of Mine" also sits well on this set. "Never Alone" will keep the jazzier fans happy and as in the opening cut, "I'm Gonna Know You" offers the soul fan something they don't get much of these days, ie; upbeat soul music. You remember that shit?Right, listen up you lot. This may not be the sort of album you would read about in your average RnB column but this is not yer average RnB column, is it! It's my column and as long as the music is good and soulful, it will always be considered for inclusion. Trust me, if you have an ounce of soul in your body, this album just has to go in your record collection. I'll even go as far as saying it's a soulful masterpiece of the 90's and best of all, it comes from these shores.Words: Collin Bigger For B&S

Additional Info AMBITIONS FOR DEEPER BREADTH :The new album for 2002

Location Bedford, Bedfordshire - United Kingdom

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