Overview
Auckland big band Sal Valentine & The Babyshakes will celebrate the release of their new EP Church with three dates around the country.
The eight-track EP was recorded in keyboardist Jonathan Pearce's K' Road studio and follows the ten-piece band's 2014 EP Live at No. 10 South Street and debut self-titled album released the year before. It was preceded by two singles: 'Elizabeth I've Been A Fool' and 'Just Another Lover', a track written by frontman Sal Valentine in 2013 after he navigated "a string of disappointing romantic encounters".
On a bed of pop, Church has been described as a commingling of soul, R&B, jazz, hard rock and funk. It features Valentine's usual crew The Babyshakes at home in their regular instrumentation, with the addition of electric guitar laid down by Sal and Jonathan.
For the celebratory Auckland show Sal Valentine & The Babyshakes will be joined by sibling rap-rock band Balu Brigada, Auckland rapper DBLDBL and DJ sets from Sal and DJ Rap Scallion.