Press Release - Inglaterra

Carpe Diem Entertainments Ltd - PRESS RELEASE

ALEX WILSON – ‘Inglaterra’
(Release Date – February 2007)

Alex Wilson Records (Catalogue Number: AWCD5)
Distributed by Cadiz

‘Inglaterra’ is a fresh, contemporary, cutting-edge salsa album from top UK salsa pianist – Alex Wilson.

Alex’s fifth album release features his twelve piece Power Latin band, with nine slamming salsa tracks, ranging from hard-core Puerto Rican salsa to salsa-reggaeton crossover, cutting edge salsa-soul, and an Asian music collaboration. He has also recently recorded on Toumani Diabate’s Boulevard de l’Inpedendence, and now brings us his latest musical offering.

Having cut his teeth as a keyboard player for Courtney Pine, Jazz Jamaica, Gary Crosby’s Nu Troop, and as a pianist for numerous visiting Puerto Rican salsa stars, Alex recently returned from the Bahrain International Music Festival, where he performed to a very receptive audience! Bahrain is the forty-seventh country that Alex has visited on his musical journey across the globe.

‘Inglaterra’ includes an exciting collaboration with Indian percussion maestro Kuljit Bhamra and young up-and-coming vocalist Shahid Abbas Khan. The resulting bhangra-salsa track ‘Oh Kuri’ is a first in both the Latin and Indian music world.

Ever the one to seek out new talent, Alex invited soul diva Aquilla Fearon to join the band. On the album she sings a rip-roaring salsa version of Chaka Khan’s ‘Ain’t Nobody’. A further soul-salsa original ‘Show Me’ is sung by the formidable Mary Pearce. This song has been released as a single and has already become a firm favourite on the dance floor.

As a tribute to Cuban salsa, Alex invited London’s own Osvaldo Chacon (formerly of Bamboleo) to guest on the album. MC Magico, a young Colombian rapper, adds his reggaeton flavour to ‘Sube Lo’ and also features on a reggaeton remix of ‘Show Me’.

The entire album is underpinned by Alex’s long-time salsa heavyweights: Paul Jayasinha on trumpet, Colombian vocalist Alfonso de Jesus, Ska Cubano’s Rey Crespo, Incognito’s Trevor Mires and top percussionists Davide Giovannini, Emeris Solis and Dave Pattman.

A series of live dates around the UK are being arranged for late March 2007. Further information can be found on Alex’s website www.alexwilson.net

“Fresh, inspiring and with a real London edge to it”
Paul Young, Director UK Salsa Congress

“Your energy is almost touchable on stage“
Francois Charpentier, Toros y Salsa Festival

Press/Interview enquiries: Peter Conway Management: 020 8378 1012 / peterfconway@hotmail.com

Press Photos/Discography and Downloadable Video footage are all available online www.alexwilson.net/press