01Profile
A Hugh Brooker Photo
Hugh Brooker
Musician — London
03Interview
Describe your style in three words?
Laid Right Back
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
James Brown And The JB's Hammersmith Odeon London 1983.
Because He Was On "The Good Foot".
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The John Barry Orchestra And James Brown's JB's. My two all-time favourite musical heroes who were constantly at the top of their respective games.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Two Tone and Blue Note Records - Great grooves and threads from both eras.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Oliver Reed - because he seemed like he knew how to have a very good time indeed!
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Jazz Cafe Camden Town London 1993.
The guys from Madness, one of my big influences, and favourite bands, turned up and stood right at the front. I was so daunted I felt like I was auditioning for my own band!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Roy Budd. Fantastic 1970s funky film composer Get Carter, Fear Is The Key, Puppet On A Chain etc, who died tragically young.
Hugh Brooker was one of the founding members of Night Trains who along with Galliano, became part of the first wave of acts to be signed to Acid Jazz Records, the London-based label set up by British jazz champions, Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson.
The band are currently celebrating their 30th anniversary with the release of ‘Lovesick 1987 – 2017’, a definitive guide to the Night Trains’ love affair with all things soul, funk and jazz. The 18 track album will be released by Acid Jazz and PIAS on 21st September.
Find out more at www.acidjazz.co.uk
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
‘We Have All The Time In The World’ - Louis Armstrong and John Barry
Brings a tear to my eye every time for all the right reasons.
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Ghost Town’ - The Specials
Still as sadly relevant today as it was all those years ago.
One record you would keep forever?
‘I Feel Good’ - James Brown
Because it makes me feel good!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Do Anything You Wanna Do" - Eddie And The Hot Rods
And so should we all!
A song you wished you had written?
‘Going Underground’ - The Jam
Made Me Want To Be In A Band.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Move On Up’ - Curtis Mayfield
It's all about the horns baby!
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Both Sides Now' - Joni Mitchell
Beautiful chords with poignant thought full tear-jerking lyrical poetry.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Take Away The Pain Stain' - Patti Austin
There will be no pain whatsoever once you have shaken a tail feather to this foot-stomping monster!
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Papas Got A Brand New Pigbag' - Pigbag
Experimental crossover punk funk global hit still hot right here right now!
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Listen out for brand new young soul vocal sensation Andre Laville on his debut record for Acid Jazz later this year!
03Interview
Describe your style in three words?
Laid Right Back
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
James Brown And The JB's Hammersmith Odeon London 1983.
Because He Was On "The Good Foot".
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The John Barry Orchestra And James Brown's JB's. My two all-time favourite musical heroes who were constantly at the top of their respective games.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Two Tone and Blue Note Records - Great grooves and threads from both eras.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Oliver Reed - because he seemed like he knew how to have a very good time indeed!
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Jazz Cafe Camden Town London 1993.
The guys from Madness, one of my big influences, and favourite bands, turned up and stood right at the front. I was so daunted I felt like I was auditioning for my own band!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Roy Budd. Fantastic 1970s funky film composer Get Carter, Fear Is The Key, Puppet On A Chain etc, who died tragically young.
Hugh Brooker was one of the founding members of Night Trains who along with Galliano, became part of the first wave of acts to be signed to Acid Jazz Records, the London-based label set up by British jazz champions, Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson.
The band are currently celebrating their 30th anniversary with the release of ‘Lovesick 1987 – 2017’, a definitive guide to the Night Trains’ love affair with all things soul, funk and jazz. The 18 track album will be released by Acid Jazz and PIAS on 21st September.
Find out more at www.acidjazz.co.uk
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
‘We Have All The Time In The World’ - Louis Armstrong and John Barry
Brings a tear to my eye every time for all the right reasons.
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Ghost Town’ - The Specials
Still as sadly relevant today as it was all those years ago.
One record you would keep forever?
‘I Feel Good’ - James Brown
Because it makes me feel good!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Do Anything You Wanna Do" - Eddie And The Hot Rods
And so should we all!
A song you wished you had written?
‘Going Underground’ - The Jam
Made Me Want To Be In A Band.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Move On Up’ - Curtis Mayfield
It's all about the horns baby!
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Both Sides Now' - Joni Mitchell
Beautiful chords with poignant thought full tear-jerking lyrical poetry.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Take Away The Pain Stain' - Patti Austin
There will be no pain whatsoever once you have shaken a tail feather to this foot-stomping monster!
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Papas Got A Brand New Pigbag' - Pigbag
Experimental crossover punk funk global hit still hot right here right now!
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Listen out for brand new young soul vocal sensation Andre Laville on his debut record for Acid Jazz later this year!