Name: Look Closer
Brand: Saun and Starr

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

dap035cd

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2015-05-18

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

823134003521

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Saun and Starr

Genre GB

Funk / Soul

Label GB

Daptone

Daptone is a label that specializes in hard funk, soul, and afrobeat music by current artists. It was formed by musicians and producers from the now defunct 1990s funk revival pioneer label Desco Records. The label is run by Gabriel Roth (also known as Bosco Mann) and Neal Sugarman. Daptone is home to renowned artists such as Sharon Jones, The Dap-Kings, Lee Fields, Sugarman 3, Antibalas, The Mighty Imperials, and others.

Most of Daptone's seven inch singles feature a generic blue record label. However, all singles are produced in limited quantities of 1000 - 2000 copies. In some cases where titles are highly sought after and sell out quickly, a second press run with a red colored label may be done.

Mikey Post oversees Direct Sales & Distribution at Daptone and explains that their releases have been continuously available since February 2019. While records released prior to 2009 did not include barcodes initially, they still use the original 'Mother' plates for pressing new copies today. There may be slight variations in the color of labels over the years due to printing on an offset machine with stock paper.

Daptone Records is proud to release 'Look Closer', the debut album by Saun and Starr. While the group's name may not be immediately familiar, Starr Duncan-Lowe and Saundra Williams'distinctive voices have been featured as the background vocals for Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kingsboth on stage and on record.Finally, the duo has prepared to step forward into the limelight.Though they grew up mere blocks from one another in New York's South Bronx, singing in local church choirs and in plays since a young age, the pair didn't meet until an open mic night in 1986. Bound by a mutual respect for each other's talent and a shared taste for soul music, Saun and Starr formed what would be a lasting friends hip. The chemistry between these three women was instant and undeniable, and Saun and Starr were both selected to sing lead alongside Sharon, performing as a trio under the name The Good 'N'Plenty Girls for much of the 1990s. Over the next several years, each would leave the wedding band in their own time. Sharon would hook up with Desco and then Daptone Records tolaunch her well-documented solo career, Starr was enjoying touring with the gospel groups Glory Gospel Singers and Sister Act, and Saun was working steadily with dozens of other bands throughout NYC. In 1999, Saundra released Bless The Day, her solo full-length debut. Although the three singers kept in touch throughout the 2000s, they did not reunite until 2008 when Sharon recruited her old friends for a one-off performance with The Dap-Kings. Soon the band realised how vital Saundra and Starr's backing vocals were to the live show. Rechristened as The Dapettes, Starr and Saundra became regular members of Sharon Jones' live band. Before long, Saun and Starr joined The Dap-Kings at Daptone Records' House of Soul in Brooklyn to begin recording an album of their own material. The first single from this session, 'Hot Shot' - penned by Daptone's in-house producer Gabe Roth and Dap-Kings' saxophonist Cheme Gastelum, and backed with 'Gonna Make Time' - was Daptone's best selling 45 to date. 'Look Closer', which features both tracks from the single, is the culmination of Saun and Starr's work at the House of Soul. Its all-analogue production and masterful, rich instrumentation are hallmarks of The Dap-Kings, who perform on every track. Though the overall mood of 'Look Closer' is joyous, there's plenty of variety to be found within, from the dramatic attitude of 'Your Face Before My Eyes' to the sparkling 'Sunshine' and the sultry ballad 'In The Night'. Saun and Starr's cadences intertwine beautifully on ' Gonna Make Time' against a percussive backdrop, while 'Big Wheel' is a perfect showcase for their individual vocal talents, from emotive belting and storytelling to call-and-response and those perfectly balanced harmonies. With their first album as a duo, Saun and Starr havefinally found their home on Daptone. "Being a part of the Daptone family makes me feel free tostay true to the sounds of what we grew up on and love," says Starr. Saun agrees, adding, "I am excited about getting this record out there and having the world hear what we've been working so hard on with The Dap-Kings. It's been a long time coming. Let's Hit It!!"

Look Closer

Music GB