The Music of ‘On Topic’ is a collaborative effort from guitarist Kim Ratcliffe, drummer Aubrey Dayle, and the new blood on the music scene, bassist Brad Cheeseman. The trio was formed in early 2015, and is now putting aside some of their other musical endeavors to bring music to the world in this trio setting. Each member of the group are leaders of their own solo projects as well. ‘On Topic’ is a project where they have an opportunity to express themselves in an environment where it is good to relinquish some control, and work more as a band.  This trio will caress you, rock you, and everything in between.

The music I write is informed by what I grew up with – 60s soul and Tamla Motown, British rock and pop, European art music, world and folk musics, my discovery of jazz-rock in the 70s and then the influence of African and Latin musicians on the 80s London jazz scene. 

I love great grooves, beautiful melodies and the wonderful freedom of improvisation. 

I love lots of music - Charlie Haden, Bill Evans, Eberhard Weber, the Beatles, Pat Metheny, Cuban jazz and dance music, Sibelius, Steely Dan, Chaka Khan, Red Snapper...

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Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah, Barely Breaking Even (BBE Music) started life as a London club night, taking its name from the eponymous Disco record by the Universal Robot Band.

The label grew from the vibrant early 90's club scene with its first release, Stop & Listen compiled by Dr Bob Jones in 1996, opening the door to iconic series' such as All Back To Mine & Late Nite Tales.

A tonne of releases followed, ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. In the year 2000, the label celebrated Masters at Work's 10th Anniversary with a mighty box set that featured near 80 tracks.

A year later BBE Music spawned the Beat Generation Series of artist albums, notably introducing J Dilla (Welcome 2 Detroit) & a young Will.I.Am's first solo outing, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib & DJ Spinna, all of whom contributed to this seminal set of long players.

A quarter of a century and well over 500 titles later, having worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Morales among many others, BBE Music looks to the future, celebrating its rich heritage while continuing to release a bounty of fresh titles.

The label’s most recent projects include an expansive reissue series from pioneering Nigerian label Tabansi, new imprint ‘Batakari’ in association with Boddhi Satva and the critically acclaimed ‘J Jazz’ Japanese Jazz multi-album project, not to mention the recent landmark 500th label release: a brand new version of 'Barely Breaking Even', featuring Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams and Louie Vega.

In 2021 BBE Music is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the label is offering up some special projects, from the 20th Anniversary edition of J Dilla’s ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’, through David Bowie tribute album ‘Modern Love’, to a special new ‘Worldwide’ compilation from old friend Gilles Peterson. BBE Music will also be looking to the future with more exciting original artist projects, plus merch collaborations events and more...

The Cordials were formed the morning after a drunkin late night ebay purchase of what turned out to be a "Very Expensive Mandolin". They had to make good on that purchase, so father and son Antoin and Felim Doherty began to write the songs that shape the band today. Antoin didn't even play guitar as he was a professional Irish Funeral Bagpiper but they managed to write enough original material  and started to play in the pubs and clubs of London. The Cordials play a mix of Country, Rockabilly and Folk Blues and they are about to release their new Album called Sweet Martha in Sept 2016. Their first Album Mr Mitty in 2010 was done on the cheap so expectations are high for Sweet Martha as it cost a hell of a lot more than the Mandolin. There music is based on honest storytelling with simple melodies like the Smell of Summer or Tweed Trousers sodden wet from a Winters Gale.
The Cordials are  London UK Based and the engine of this band is a merry mix of United Nations with Theo Ziarkis from Greece on Double Bass, Andrea Lianni on Drums from Italy, Benoit Veillifon on Lead Guitar from France and our fantastic guests Zoe Devlin on Vocals (Alabama3) and the legend Vin Gordon on Tromebone (Bob Marley, Aswad) and finally Dick Smith on Banjo (Cole Porters)

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