Empires & Us

Steve Skaith was the singer and writer with the UK band Latin Quarter?? best known for it's 1986 single 'Radio Africa'?? from the hit album 'Modern Times'. The band made several albums and continued touring throughout Europe until 1998. In 1999, Steve moved to Mexico where he continues to live. There he has teamed up with three Mexican musicians: Javier Gamiz - Spanish guitar, Jarana and Cuatro Venezolano; Beto Tenorio - Bass guitar and Ricardo Serrano - Drums. In 2003 they produced their first album 'Mexile'?? and on April 25th 2005 they released their second CD entitled 'Empires and Us'. The music represents a meeting of British folk-rock with different world music feels and influences, as much African as Latin American. The lyrics - many written by Latin Quarter lyricist Mike Jones - are often political, as they were with Latin Quarter, covering such topics as American power in the modern world and Tony Blair's collusion with that. There is also humour, love, love gone missing, and, finally, a song 'Come Alive'?? requested by South African fans. ------------------- Biographical/discographical background Latin Quarter was formed in August 1983, initially consisting of Mike Jones (lyrics), Steve Skaith (vocals, guitar) and Richard Wright (guitar). Mike Jones and Steve Skaith were both members of Big Flame, a political organisation concerned with social justice, and actually started writing and home-recording some two years prior to the formation of the band. Modern Times - their critically acclaimed début album - was released in September 1985. It went Top Twenty in a lot of countries. Songs like Modern Times, America For Beginners, No Rope As Long As Times and New Millionaires have all become enduring songs but 1986's Radio Africa has taken on timeless classic status. The group's second album Mick And Caroline was released in 1987, the third album Swimming Against The Stream in 1989. 1993 saw the release of the Latin Quarter album Long Pig. After that, Latin Quarter/Steve Skaith effectively disappeared from the music scene until the release of the appropriately named single Surprised in 1997. The first song from their new album Bringing Rosa Home, it was quickly followed by two other singles -- Angel and Branded -- taken from the same source. These were probably the most commercial records Latin Quarter had released since Radio Africa. After a six-year absence, Steve Skaith returned with a new band and a new album 'Mexile'. The frontman of the English pop group Latin Quarter had teamed up with musicians in Mexico to produce an album brimming with memorable rhythms and intelligent lyrics. Although recorded in Mexico, Mexile retained an essentially British feel in much the same manner as the late Kirsty MacColl's Brazilian recorded Tropical Brainstorm.