The Medium Wave Band
So Tender / Games (Instrumental)
Sourcing 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 Medium
Wave Band if Gary from Mr Bongo hadn't known Wolverhampton-based record dealer, Steve
Ward. Whilst offering Gary some records for sale, he remembered he had a spare copy of an
old 7" single that he thought Gary might like. Steve 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…
The A-side, 'So Tender’, is a late-night, jazzy slow-jam, with beautifully sultry, soulful female
vocals which sounded vaguely familiar. On listening to the B side, 'Games (Instrumental)’, 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. So who are the enigmatic The Medium Wave Band?
After some fruitful internet digging and correspondence, we got the answers. The band lineup
featured Elliot Browne on guitar (lead & 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. Maybe 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”. Only
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. DJ 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.
occasionally, Lady Luck smiles upon you. We probably would have never heard of the Medium
Wave Band if Gary from Mr Bongo hadn't known Wolverhampton-based record dealer, Steve
Ward. Whilst offering Gary some records for sale, he remembered he had a spare copy of an
old 7" single that he thought Gary might like. Steve 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…
The A-side, 'So Tender’, is a late-night, jazzy slow-jam, with beautifully sultry, soulful female
vocals which sounded vaguely familiar. On listening to the B side, 'Games (Instrumental)’, 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. So who are the enigmatic The Medium Wave Band?
After some fruitful internet digging and correspondence, we got the answers. The band lineup
featured Elliot Browne on guitar (lead & 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. Maybe 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”. Only
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. DJ 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.
A. So Tender
B. Games (Instrumental)
B. Games (Instrumental)
