Wah Wah 45s are very proud to present Sun Dogs, the incredible debut album from composer, songwriter and producer Jamie Finlay – a unique blend of electric soul, spiritual jazz and psychedelia. A deeply layered and personal album that explores themes of love, loss, grief, and finding strength through turbulent times.
With their expansive arrangements and complex harmonies, you can hear the spiritual jazz influences of Lonnie Liston Smith and Pharaoh Sanders on the two opening tracks, Destroy Create Part 1 and Rain Will Come. These are followed by the Ethio-jazz leaning Staring at the Sun, with its pounding baritone sax chorus and ethereal vocals. Next up is the stripped back psyche soul of Family, the album’s first single, with a haunting performance from Ellen Beth Abdi. Parhelion calls to mind Headhunters-era Herbie, with its off kilter jazz-fusion vibe, and is followed by the bittersweet Give Back My Love, which comes across like Stereolab and Everything But The Girl meets Rotary Connection. Penultimate song Destroy Create Part 2 leads us into broken-beat territory, and finally, with its pulsing bassline, layered vocal harmonies and crescendos, the closing track, Daylight, is an optimistic future anthem, bringing to mind the work of Charles Stepney, the Mizell Brothers and James Mason.
Sun Dogs was recorded between 2022 and 2023 with a core band of Jamie Finlay working with keyboardist, arranger and producer Matt Steele, drummer Erroll Rollins and singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Ellen Beth Abdi (A Certain Ratio), who appears across the album, and features on its three singles. The album features collaborations with singer, producer and saxophonist Caitlin LM, Kemani Anderson of Secret Night Gang and supporting musicians Bryan Corbett (trumpet/flute), Chris Bowden (saxophones), Hannah McGuigain (vocals), Dan Carpenter (trumpet) and Atholl Ransome (saxophones). The album was mixed by Jamie Finlay together with engineer Phil Kirby (Mr. Scruff, 808 State).
Destroy Create Parts I & 2
“I wrote the lyrics and melody for Destroy Create around 20 years ago, shortly after losing a very close relative. The song stayed with me for two decades, until I found a home for it on this album. The song is about someone saying goodbye, and wishing you life, with all of its challenges and complexity.
Hearing Kemani sing the lyrics back to me was a very powerful moment and it felt like the perfect way to set the tone of the album.”
Rain Will Come
“Rain Will Come is a musical representation of a storm, and is about finding stillness in turbulent times. The phrase ‘Rain Will Come’ repeats like a mantra while the music becomes more chaotic until eventually returning to calmness. It’s about standing still and stoic, and letting storms pass over you.”
Staring at the Sun
“The title, Staring at the Sun, is taken from the book of the same name, written by psychologist Irvin Yalom. The book is about finding peace with our own mortality. It’s a really beautiful book. I talked through the concept with Caitlin LM and sent her the music I’d written as a finished arrangement. Caitlin came back with this utterly beautiful, mesmerising song, really understood the concept and was able to channel her own experiences into the writing.”
Family
“Families come in many forms, but at the core it’s about that closeness, solidarity and unconditional love. This can come from anywhere with any group of people. It’s not just about blood, it’s about how we look after each other.”
Parhelion
“Parhelion was the first track I finished for the album. It started out as an electronic instrumental, using drum machines and samples, but evolved into this almost completely live track. I love Bryan and Chris’s playing on this, and finishing it was a real moment. I knew the album was going to work when I finished Parhelion.”
Give Back My Love
“A bittersweet love song which tells of the moment in a relationship when you’ve given all you can, but that isn’t enough. It’s about reclaiming the love you’ve given and moving forward, emphasised by marching drums, warmed up by Bryan Corbett’s sultry trumpet and flute, and of course Abdi’s sublime vocal. “
Daylight
“I wrote Daylight at the tail end of lockdown. I’d had the bass line playing on a loop in the studio for a few days, when the lyrics just came to me. It felt like there was a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel after this difficult time for the world, which is why it has a cautiously optimistic tone. I worked together with Ellen to layer and arrange the vocal harmonies, and with Matt Steele to really work the dynamics of the song. It’s a big track and it felt like the perfect way to close the album.”
Reactions & Radio Play
Radio play from Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music), Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music), Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM), Rob Luis (Unfold Radio, UK), Kev Beadle (Totally Wired Radio), Mark GV Taylor (Totally Wired Radio), Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany), Enrique Domenech (CKUT, Canada), DJ Nelson (Power FM, Ireland), Dave Bassin (KXSF-FM, USA), Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France), Markus Milz (Radio Corax, Germany), Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe), Laurent Garnier (Radio France)
Featured on Bristol Funk’s Summer Grooves and Future Of Jazz playlists: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tXr6BlZgiSCRA6MAn6vv4?si=106f2afdf8f54fac
Qobuz New in Soul / Funk / R&B Playlist: open.qobuz.com/playlist/
“Amazing..” Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music, UK)
“Absolutely stellar and beautiful…” Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music, UK)
“Excellent. Will playlist on PBB Radio …. Love it.” Laurent Garnier (PBB Radio, France)
“This is top drawer. Rain Will Come musically does what it says on the tin. Firmly huge part of this exciting period of new music inspired by a rich pool of quality players.” Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM, UK)
“From the start to the very last drop, this LP is insanely beautiful. No fillers whatsoever. So great to have Jamie Finlay back making music!” Mikey D.O.N (Krispy 3/Worldwide FM)
“This sounds amazing!” A Certain Ratio (Manchester, UK)
“Nice one.” Osunlade (Yoruba Recordings, USA)
“Nice LP… will support!” Chris Philips (One Jazz / Jazz FM, UK)
“Amazing!! Soulful but electric.. futuristic hypnotic funk. I will play it on my radio show in Japan.” Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive, Japan)
“Beautiful album with some great features!” Kasia Constance (One Jazz, UK)
“Very inspiring and soulful!!” DJ Soulist (Souleance, France)
“Cool LP!” DJ Angola (Wonderwheel, USA)
“I am very interested. Thanks for the chance to listen.” Dazzle Drums (Block Party, Japan)
“Very laid back, quality album; my fave track is Give Back My Love .” Ahu (Turkey)
“This is a spectrum of quality music laughing warmly to everyone who needs music to be categorised. Great album, with the weight on the word album.” Mans Stromberg (Radio Helsinki, Finland)
“Just a huge undertaking from a sweet sweet soul – transcribing that joy and grief into music can’t have been easy but he’s found the right family to do it with.” Jamie Groovement (Reform Radio, UK)
“This is one of the strongest releases of 2024 so far ..some fabulous music on here Daylight Rain Parhelion Destroy Part II .. all top quality- Big album for Wah Wah..look forward to the gig at We Out Here!” Raj Selli (Solar Radio, UK)
“Love it.” Markus Tone (Sonar Kollektiv, Germany)
“Superb Grooves! Musical genius.” Ash Selector (Solar Radio, UK)
“Awesome album.” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“Fantastic album! So many great tunes!” Jason Palma (Footprints, Canada)
“Solid album from beginning to end!” Steve Johns (Solar Radio, London)
“Sounding gorgeous! Will get some DJ support from me.” Paris Groovescooter (Eastside FM, Australia)
“Incredible album!” Rado Tomek (NuSpirit Club, Slovakia)
“Great release!” Russ Dewbury (Brighton Jazz Bop, UK)
“Very nice timeless music.” Cesare Cera (Radio Bologna Uno, Italy)
“Warm and soulful vibes, will spin this on radio and Spotify (Ennio Styles Weekly playlist).” Ennio Styles (3RRR FM, Australia)
“Awesome!” Dob Marzov (Radio Varna, Bulgaria)
“Complexity, simplicity, war vibes, 5 stars!” Chris Ex (Black Radio Berlin, Germany)
“Perfect.” Lorenzo Aldino (Jockey Club, Ibiza)
“Excellent.” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“FULL support here!” Michael Stukes (WHCR 90.3FM, USA)
“Wonderful record!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“Nice ones.” Tjerk Coers (Armada Music, The Netherlands)
“Really fantastic album! my favourites are Daylight, Starting at the sun and give back my love. Thanks for the release. I’ll try support a few. Really nice opening tracks for my show.. nice calm and soulful openings.” DJ Nelson (Power FM, Ireland)
“Soul, jazzy, Afrobeat and more!” Jean Marc Baehler (Couleur 3, Switzerland)
“Exciting new soulful spiritual release from Jamie Finlay, excellent production!” DJ Keyser (Tilos Radio, Hungary)
“It’s so good!” Renegades Of Jazz (Bathurst, Germany)
“This is stunningly strong. If you can use a choon like Daylight as the final song it is a clear sign. Great drums, horns, vocals and story telling – even without the lyrics. One of my my faves of 2024.” Rene Josquin (Format Analog, Germany)
“I’ve been waiting for this album and the wait was worth it! Beautiful vocals and words, so soulful and jazzy and full of vibrance, not a bad moment, only uplifting goodness.” DJ Mr Lob (Various, Australia)
“This is a wonderful recording! I really dig the genre-blending arrangements! Will definitely get airplay on WRUV-FM.” Jay Paul (WRUV-FM, USA)
“Daylight is the pick for me still – although this is top drawer!” Steve KIW (We Are Love Festival, UK)
“Sublime Jazz.” Jim McMaster (TNGC Radio, USA)
“Great album!” Ivan Mera (Higher Club, Spain)
“Superbe rythmique et section cuivre.” Jean Marc Baehler (Couleur 3, Switzerland)
“Sunnishing album!!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax 95.9FM, Germany)
“A real masterpiece in musicianship on this debut from Jamie and the band, so many great tracks, looking forward to supporting over the coming months!!!” Alan O’Malley (RTE Pulse Dublin, Ireland)
“Solid return!” Chris Knight (Kilburn Garden Party, Scotland)
“I have been very excited about this album, and my expectations were not disappointed. Jamie Finlay is convincing across the board – a very well-done, versatile album – great!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“Fantastic album!!! Sooo good to have Jamie’s debut after all these years.” Simon Harrison (Basic Soul, UK)
“Amazing Album, full of jazzy grooves and afro flavours. Full support! Congrats again to Wah Wah 45s!” Enrique Domenech (Freeform Podcasts, Spain)
“Love this collection if talent from the rainy city. So much talent and excellent production. Really good to see Jamie back.” Paul Knight (Reform Radio, UK)
“Superb LP. Some choice cuts here. Can see some sunset soundtrack moments here. But some dancefloor action too. Great release. As ever Wah Wah delivers.” DJ Expression (What’s Hot Radio, UK)
“Sounds great!” Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes, Germany)
“Lots to like on here.” Karl Phillips (Source 96.1 FM, UK)
“Great album – loving it.” Jon Brent (Dusk Dubs, UK)
“Bumpy n funky!” Cal Gibson (Various, UK)
“Outstanding debut album, huge and inspiring, from past to present. AMAZING!” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“A magical album!” Jon Freer (Freer Sounds, UK)
“LOVELY VIBES!!!” Matthew Langfear (Various, UK)
“This is epic and brilliant as you may have gathered we love everything that is on it!” Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe, UK)
“Along with the three tracks we’ve already heard this album really comes together as the unheard songs unfold. The orchestral arrangements are excellent, the tunes have that earworm quality and the guest performances really round out the album. Inspired stuff, if this doesn’t smash it on the radio there’s no justice. Quick shout for the phat and phabulous bass sax too, which I’m so pleased to see as a mainstream instrument these days. Majority opinion for top track appears atm to be for Rain Will Come and I have to go along with that, though it’s a very tough choice. 5*” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
“Wah Wah 45s have just release Jamie Finlay’s debut album, ‘Sun Dogs’ that a blend of soul-jazz that’s fit for any mad Englishmen at mid-day (men acting foolish from other nations are also available).
If you know Jamie’s work from his previous releases, you’ve eagerly awaited the debut album for a a long time; if not, you’re in for a real treat with ‘Sun Dogs’. All eight tracks are a delightful hybrid of 4-Hero, Heliocentrics, Jimi Tenor (don’t forget his latest, ‘Is There Love In Outer Space?’ – see review HERE) or if you want to go old school, Lonnie Liston Smith, Rotary Connection and Herbie’s Headhunters. And to make sure it’s that good, he’s got together a ‘super group’ to support him including some great singers, Bryan ‘Corbenova’ Corbett and Chris ‘Time Capsule’ Bowden. It’s all great but check out ‘Staring At The Sun’, ‘Family’ and ‘Parhelion’ in particular. If you’re in the area of the Chilled Cider Fesiival at the end of the month (vinyl only DJ set) I’ll be bringing a couple of Jamie’s previous 12″ers to play but far better to catch the Jamie Finlay Band’s full live show, Grow in Hackney Wick (15th June), The Deaf Institute, Manchester on July 27th, or the big one, We Out Here Festival on August 16th.” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.