Back in 2004 Steve Williams from UKvibe gave me a copy of a four track cd from a new Birmingham band called the Sugar Beats. This featured a cracking version of Stevie Wonder’s “As”, a live version of the “Balcon Hotstep” and the excellent “French Girl from Luton”. I’ve been hooked ever since. The Sugar Beats were formed by Chris Mapp and Leo Altarelli, and then became a seven piece band for “Search for Peace”. The foundation here is jazz, which not only works on dancefloors but also when pottering around the house. Leo’s vocal works a treat whether scatting or in a full vocal workout. Top marks to these guys for persisting and getting their music out there, now all you’ve got to do is support!
