The Groove Connection formed in Medway, Kent during the early ’90’s, amongst the Acid Jazz heyday, playing clubs, pubs and festivals up and down the land with their urban jazz-funk grooves.

The band comprised of usually six to eight members over the years, including Mark ‘Bertie’ Gilbert, the former (initial) bass player from The Milkshakes, and was originally an instrumental project, with vocals added later giving the band further appeal.

Recording/releasing their first CD EP in 1996 (In Full Pursuit), described by Blues & Soul as ‘an impressive debut set’, The Groove Connection also released a 7” vinyl single in 1998 (What It Is), which was produced by respected DJ and percussionist Snowboy. A year later, their first album ‘Infiltration’ was released. All releases were via their own NeuJaz label.

As well as working with Snowboy, the band also supported Jamiroquai twice in 1997 (at Finsbury’s Jam in the Park and the Phoenix Festival), as well as playing to a full house at the Jazz Cafe, Camden on many occasions, and the band toured the UK as part of the Messin’ Around Jazz Cotech collaboration.

In 1999, the band found themselves on the Verve Records’ released compilation ‘Messin’ Around Presents Root Down’, alongside Lalo Schifrin, Jimmy Smith, The JBs, and Roy Ayers to name just a few.

In 2001 the band recorded, and released their second album ‘Back To Brooklyn’, introducing vocalist Laura Knight and guest hammond virtuoso Gary Baldwin, a ten-track full-length, CD-only release. Other tracks were recorded in the same session…

Two tracks that didn’t make the last album were ‘Can You Hear Me’ and ‘When I’m With You’, both vocal filled, and we’ve decided to capture them onto two continuous ‘grooves’.

Limited to 300 copies, the ninety-sixth release on Spinout Nuggets, it will be available via the label, the group and all very good record outlets.

Line Up:
Laura Knight – Vocals.
Damian Hawker – Guitar.
Mark ‘Bertie’ Gilbert – Bass Guitar.
Brett Cleall – Drums.
Kevin Llewellyn – Percussion.
Paul Mason – Tenor Sax.
Graham Mann – Keyboards/Fender Rhodes/Trombone.

Notes:
Recorded at Astra Audio.
Engineered by Rob Williams.
Mastered by Graham Semark at Cyclone Music Productions, Kent.
Published by Spinout Music.