Covered In Love

I meant to post this before Christmas but never got round to it...

The mighty Duke Spirit are back. Well, sort of. Until the new album surfaces at some point this year we can make do with a four track EP of cover versions of recently departed good spirits. The band recorded the tracks in Somerset during October of last year. The tracks are: Desmond Dekker's '007 (Shanty Town)'; Jessie Mae Hemphill’s ‘I’m So Glad’ and two Tracks by Love 'A House Is Not A Motel' & 'A Message To A Pretty'.

Its available as an exclusive download on Rough Trades website priced at £2.99. You can stream the tracks via the bands myspace page www.myspace.com/thedukespirit

So far no details have been revealed about the new album, though back in September 2005 Leila told me the demos had a definite Stax feel to them. The bands website is currently under reconstruction so hopefully when its back up some news will also be posted. After checking the website of Loog records I notice that The Duke Spirit have been taken off their artists roster. I'm speculating here but I have a feeling that the new album may come out on Bella Union, the label run by the bands close friend and producer of the debut album, Simon Raymonde (ex-Cocteau Twins bass player ). Wishful thinking maybe but Bella Unions list of bands is amazing (Midlake, The Howling Bells, My Latest Novel, Fionn Regan, Explosions In The Sky to name just a few) and the Spirit would fit nicely in there dont you think?

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Download a live session from The Duke Spirit from Seattle radio station KEXP - Recorded last year whilst the group were in America.

The version of Win Your Love is stunning.

Songs played:
Love Is An Unfamiliar Name
Hello To The Floor
Interview
Win Your Game
Love Is An Unfamiliar Name

Right click and choose save-as. [DOWNLOAD]

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The Duke Spirit - Love Is An Unfamiliar Name