The name PAUL MORAN might not be that familiar to too many, but discerning music buffs will, for sure, have heard the acclaimed multi-instrumentalist play out. You see Paul has been a ‘first call’ session musician for many producers and celebrity artists since 1989, when he first arrived on the London scene.
Out on his own he’s released a number of albums like the imaginatively titled Hamond sets ‘Smokin’ B3’, and ‘Smokin’ B3 Vol 2’. Live and in the studio he’s worked with people like Natalie Cole, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Tom Jones, George Michael, Joss Stone, Mavis Staples, Bette Midler, Sister Sledge, Mark Knopfler, Tony Gilbert O’ Sullivan, Chrissie Hynde and Jools Holland, to name but a few. Right now (and for some time) he’s Van Morrison’s Musical Director. As MD he leads the Man’s band and plays piano/ Hammond organ, synths/ trumpet & flugel horn.
In downtime from Van’s band, Paul continues to work on his own projects and he’s just launched a lovely, chill out collection called ‘Ibiza Chill Out Vol.1’ which is credited to AURORA 5.
The concise ten tracker is a laid back, delightful blend of jazz, world music,, downtempo dance and just a touch of funk. As the title suggests, the overriding flavour is Balearic Chill – the whole Café Del Mar thing and right now we could do with plenty of that to help with our mindfulness and to help us escape (albeit temporarily) from the continuous stream of bad news. Paul’s music reminds us that, maybe, just maybe, there is something decent, something wholesome, something to engender optimism out there!
It would be churlish to highlight tracks but tune titles like ‘Lost In Time’, ‘Tantric Meditation’ and ‘Cosmic Journey’ should give you the idea. On those cuts and elsewhere , the music overflows with emotive, sunset-ready chilled grooves. Anoraks might also like to know that the album also features percussion from Snowboy and captivating, hushed vocals from Jo Harrop.
Paul says: “This album was a labour of love, influenced by jazz, world music, funk and downtempo dance grooves’… Going back to my roots creating jazz influenced club music”.
Aurora 5 ‘Ibiza Chill Vol. 1’ Album is out now via Paul Moran Productions.
