Papa Washington Trio

Venturing to New Zealand for a live laptop and percussion debut.

1 Apr 2003

The somewhat oddly named papa washington trio: how they came to producing one of the labels best selling 12 inch singles and an acclaimed album before venturing to New Zealand for a live laptop and percussion debut.

What a ridiculous name for a band, but as stable mates to the likes of Crazy Penis on respected Manchester based Paper Recordings, its not surprising really.

Papa Washington Trio - no agenda, just a combination of hurriedly chosen words by Mathew, Martin and dj harri prior to the imminent release of their debut album Trio de Janeiro.

From their humble beginnings with a one off AA12 "Calling All Dancers/ Chocolate Fingers", the dj returns were rather more enthusiastic than Paper Recordings had perhaps expected.

After play listings by everyone from Ashley Beedle to Silicone Soul, the 12" was repeatedly reissued, becoming an unexpected label bestseller, Fabric anthem and Uk/European compilation favourite ( 5 times and counting ).

Ridiculous really for a 12" the trio weren't all that convinced by and only reluctantly played at Glasgows celebrated Sub Club by resident and Trio member dj harri. But I guess M8 magazine ( UK ) didn't call it 'fuckin great house music' for nothing.

Sensing success, Paper commissioned an album, but labels like Guidance and Glasgow Underground amongst others were also keen to take on the oddly named Papa Washington Trio.

More than 2 years in the making, after much soul searching and with references to Funkadelic, Thomas Bangalter and the early sound systems of Jamaica, the album was released through Paper recordings to much acclaim... tune after tune'. said The List ( Scotland ) and hailed as 'a debut album of timelessly elegant and unpretentiously catchy house' by Muzik magazine ( UK ) who declared that 'three scotsmen may well have produced the house album of the year. Dj magazine ( UK ) gave both the punningly titled Trio De Janeiro album and 12" a top ten hype chart placing and a recommendation that' djs out there should play it loud( 4/5 stars ).

And oddly enough, they did.

We were always having a bit of a laugh, begins Martin Coll producer, musician and music management graduate of the trio. The focus has always been to just craft floor-friendly funk.

That is somewhat typically Glaswegian understatement.

Simple but catchy, good time house music'insisted Jockey Slut (UK ) of the suitably silly punned title track Trio de Janeiro, released with a supporting mix from Shabooms' Dick Johnson, once again caming to the attention of compilers.

Local boys Soane and Tim Phin, charmed by the second single subsequently licensed it to their own mix cds, resulting in another unexpected dance floor favourite from the Trio.

Somewhat belatedly acknowledging their unusual path to success, Martin Coll of the Trio is coming to NZ mid June to play a highly anticipated live and laptops set and oddly enough, its only the third opportunity to hear them live- ever.

Why then New Zealand you ask? Says Martin Coll 'Why not'? As if the question could be any more ridiculous.