Speedometer

Since 1998, in the days before The Meters or BGP re-issues formed the soundtrack to ‘Come Dine With Me’, and way before Amy and Mark’s collaborations shaped daytime radio, Speedometer went out and played funk. Not acid-jazz, no crossovers, and definately no fancy-dress costumes.
 
The early days were small gigs, playing Meters covers and Meters-inspired originals (hence the name). As the attention grew, so did the band, from a quartet up to the 10-piece outfit seen today. On the way, there have been countless singles, a load of albums, collaborations with some of legendary names in soul and funk, and loads of great gigs.
 
The first Speedometer 45, Soul Safari/Two Beat Beast, was one of the earliest releases on the infamous Soul Fire label. Opting for a more ‘home-grown’ approach to recorded output, a number of further releases were made on the Norwich-based Kennel Klub label. The first two studio LPs, This is Speedometer vols 1 and 2, were released on the Blow it Hard label, in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
 
Both albums went down a storm, giving Speedometer exposure around the globe, leading to a visit to Japan in 2005. An after-show party at a lounge-bar-cum-record shop inspired studio album no.3, ‘Four Flights Up’. This is where I jump around a little, chronologically speaking. Speedometer took a limited edition and self-produced album, ‘Digging Deeper’ to Japan, containing a mix of unreleased and pre-’This is Speedometer’ material. On our return, and in the run-up to the release of ‘Four Flights Up’, Freestyle records released an alternative version of ‘Digging Deeper’ (some different tracks, different artwork, vinyl).
 
‘Four Flights Up’ got its release in 2007 on Freestyle in the UK (and P-Vine in Japan), and featured collaborations with the mighty Robert Moore. Speedometer still gigged hard, notching up appearances all over europe, and prompting the recording of ‘Soul Grooving – Live’. People could now have the experience of a Speedometer gig in the comfort of their own homes, at a bar-b-que, on the bus or covertly (via one earpiece up the sleeve) in a business meeting or school lesson.
 
‘The Shakedown’ is Speedometer’s 5th album release, and is the most ambitious yet. Featuring appearances from Myles Sanko, Natasha Watts, The Stillouettes, long-time James Brown collaborator, Martha High, members of The Perceptions (John Willmott, Gary Crockett, Snowboy) and spawning singles remixed by DJ Format, The Shakedown opened Speedometer to far wider audiences than ever before, without compromise to the product.
 
2011 saw a reissue/repackage of This Is Speedometer Vols 1&2 on Freestyle records, a compilation of Speedometer tracks new and old (‘Speedometer Gold’ on P-Vine), sell-out shows at the Blue Note clubs in Japan.
 
2013 they made an album with James Brown’s soul diva Martha High and toured Europe promoting the album “Soul Overdue”
 
2014 is back in the studio with a new LP expected end of the year.
 
Speedometer are: Leigh Gracie (guitar), Rich Hindes (bass), Chris Starmer (drums), Andy Fairclough (organ/keys), Simon Jarret (sax), Matt McKay (saxes/flute), Neil Penny (trumpet), Matt Wilding (percussion), and Ria Currie and Myles Sanko (vocals).