Tag: Boy Kid Cloud

Culture Café #5 // Frank Benbini // Musician-Uncle Frank / FLC

Frank Benbini is the drummer with Fun Lovin’ Criminals and he’s also the man behind Radio Riddler and Uncle Frank.

Uncle Frank also consists of multi instrumentalist Naim Cortazzi, and they’ve just released their album ‘Smiles for Miles’ on MITA Records.

This isn’t the first time I’ve spoken to Frank, I interviewed him in September 2012 when FLC were playing Arthur’s Day in Dublin.

You can listen to the interview here or via the video below. I really like Frank, there’s something about him that makes you at ease with me immediately. He might be in the Criminals and pretends to be the hard man, truth is, he’s a big huggy teddy bear! At the start of the podcast, I mention that Frank had ‘promised’ that the next time we met he would greet me, laid out covered in rose petals.. Here’s why >> It’s the cover to his Irresistible Me E.P.

The interview was recorded before an album showcase in (the legendary) Dean Street Studios in London. We also get ‘I said to Owen Wilson‘story from Frank and Frank also gives us an insight into life with his kid brother, Darryl’s music asBoy Kid Cloud.

Thanks to all the Dean Street Studios gang, Scream Promotions, especially Holly, and MITA Records for making me feel so at home, mucho love x

If you are of a sensitive disposition, there are some naughty words in there, your Granny mightn’t like it.

You can find out more about Uncle Frank on their snazzy website.

Feature photo from Uncle Frank’s Soundcloud

July 20, 2014
Uncle Frank: Irresistible Me EP – Review

Let’s face it, side projects can be real fun. A little break away from your main musical outfit lets an artist spread their wings and reveal a side that we may not of known about. Frank Benbini is drummer with Fun Lovin’ Criminals and along with Naim Cortazzi and a band of merry-men make up Uncle Frank, a band who fuse hip hop lounge and funk influences.

The EP opens with ‘Irresistible You’, a slow smooth track with Benbini stepping out from behind his kit and taking over the mic. The track builds quite a vivid picture of a Sunday morning with a loved one and features some beautifully placed sound effects with brilliantly add to the vibe. Benbini’s vocals are backed by layers of harmonies and the track remains subtly subdued for great effect.

‘Desperate Town’ is an obvious stand out track and highlights Benbini’s vocals with an intense delivery to match the production of the song. Starting out with Benbini’s vocals, subtle keys and bass, ‘Desperate Town’ slowly builds to a understated refrain in contrast with the vocal performance of the verses. Terrific song.

The tempo is lifted and a little funk is added to proceedings with ‘Gravy Baby’. Given the talent involved in this project, including Boy Kid Cloud on Drums, it’s not surprising that the production is top notch. Clever string arrangements, the main vocal line backed with a female vocal and a easy relaxed rhythm make this memorable.

There’s always room for a bit of fun, and ‘Poonani’ does just that. It’s sexy and fun and just a little bit naughty, it kinda makes you want to get up and do some slow dirty dancing type stuff, or maybe that’s just me. Either way, it’s catchy as hell.

This is a really enjoyable EP and highlights the different sides of Uncle Frank really well. As the EP cover suggests, this is a smooth sexy bed of roses, with an added dash of fun. Check it out.

December 18, 2012
Download: Boy Kid Cloud – I Would Die 4 U (Prince Cover)

Darren Reid is Boy Kid Cloud who makes melodic electronica and he has revealed a cover of one of his hero’s tracks, Prince’s ‘I Would Die 4 U’. It really is quite something, he manages to retain the old school Prince sound but brings it bang up to date with his excellent production skills.

Mr Reid also released his ‘Better Version of Me’ EP earlier this year. I’m liking what I’m hearing.

Photo from Facebook

December 3, 2012