SUPER db are a 4-piece band from London. The band’s name plays on the positive, upbeat nature of their music, as well as encompassing the initials of each band member.
The band’s sound is a distinctive mix of pop, disco, funk, rock and jazz & the members consist of some of the UK’s top musicians, most of them multi-instrumentalists offering more than just one musical contribution to the recordings the band produce; including rotating lead vocalists.
Featuring twin brothers J-M Sutcliffe (Guitars & vocals), J-P Sutcliffe (Drums, vocals, keys & percussion). The line-up is completed by Lorenzo Bassignani (Bass) & Matt Dibble (Keys, vocals, sax & clarinet).
J-M, J-P and Lorenzo all met while studying Jazz at Trinity College of Music in London. Matt also studied in London at Guildhall School of Music and Drama around the same time, but the four were introduced through a mutual friend and began work on Matt’s solo album ‘Around the Corner’ in 2013. Their recording and performing synergy was the catalyst for them to form Super db in 2014.
All 4 members are proficient composers, not only with Super db, but individually. J-P has released 2 solo albums and along with J-M, has released two albums as ‘The Sutcliffe Brothers’, exploring their passion for ‘80s rock and progressive rock. J-P also forms half of the dance music duo ‘Warcliffe’. Lorenzo has played on numerous Jazz and Pop records, and has recently completed a MA in composition at Trinity College of Music, and is now working as a commercial music composer, providing music for a TV show on Rai 3 in Italy this year. Matt has released numerous solo albums, both in band format and as a solo pianist, as well as working and recording with Italian guitarist Fabio Zambelli.
Through the release of their debut album ‘Death by Disco’, Super db started to gather an underground following capturing fans and lovers of the classic songs and sounds harking back to the late 70s and early 80s, reminiscent of the likes of Earth Wind & Fire, Prince, Daft Punk and others.
Their song ‘The Best In Me’ was selected to be featured on a Warner Music compilation album titled ‘California Groove IV’ which was released in June 2018. Radio plays including those from across the USA followed.
This momentum and increased support for the band urged them to work on completing new music to present to the world for the first time, with a promotional and marketing teams support.
The recently-released single ‘Kool Funk’ was #2 on the UK Soul Chart for two weeks in June and July 2020. They have had international radio play on numerous stations including BBC, Solar, Delite and Mi-Soul.
The band put out an EP ‘Listen To This’ in 2017, and have recently finished recording and mixing their second album Ecoute Ca.
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About the single:
‘Open Line To Me’ is essentially a love song with a definite retro R+B feel. With influences from bands like Kool & the Gang, the S.O.S band and Michael Jackson. The song was originally conceived as a funk guitar riff as heard in the intro and had a working Title of ‘Love Letters’, which seemed a nice theme.
Writer Jean-Michel explains “I couldn’t find a neat way of having those lyrics work with my melody so instead, the chorus became ‘Open Line to Me’, which still conveys lovers wanting to express love to each other despite distance apart. The verse and middle hangs on a slash chord which keeps the listener waiting for the chorus where we finally resolve to the major key and makes for a real opening of colour. The rhythms are strong and funky yet chordally and melodically there is a sweetness which symbolizes youth and a certain naivety”.
