Interview: Leee John

Leee John is a more than a name known by most. He is a musical talent who has time and again proven his versatility over an array of projects. Having returned to the rest recording studio with his Imagination bandmates after a 25 year break, John and Imagination are set to hit the road and release a retrospective as 2013 draws to a close.



Flashback: The Very Best Of Imagination is not the first retrospective - why did it feel like the right time to revisit Imagination?

It is the very first in over 20 odd years there have been bootlegs, remixes and after 30 years where acts like Marian Carey , Destiny's Child etc to name a few a whole new generation plus the old fans can enjoy the music again .

How does Flashback differ from earlier retrospectives?

As I'm producing a film of the history of UK black music check www.flashbackprojectuk.com it ranges from the turn of the century till the 1990s , so together with the 'Flashback Best Of..' its a whole brand , we are promoting including a small tour starting Oct 20th. Come along! Check gig guide here www.leeejohn.com

It has been 25 years since Imagination recorded new material, how did it feel to reunite for recording purposes?

I have been recording lots of material and even a successful jazz album but these reacted were better in other territories. Recording the new tracks for the album kind of fell into place and was very natural to us.

Can you tell us about the two new songs you have recorded...

'The Truth' is a song most Imagination fans know as I have been singing it at my live shows for a few years now. I wrote it as semi biographical and it is generally about us , you , me and people's lives and ambitions and getting to the right place in life . After recording 'The Truth' I wanted to write something old school , saucy , fun and funky and that was the end of last year I wrote the second track 'Krash' which is getting a lot of strong DJ reaction . Exciting!

What are your hopes for the new material?

That the fans, new audiences embrace and enjoy it along with 'Flashback - the Best of Imagination'

Might we expect a full album of new songs soon?

Yes I have tons of material and I have a few albums in me .

Imagination are still one of the most influential acts of the last three decades - did you ever expect the success you achieved?

It's a blessing and I'm amazed that the influence has become so strong. I'm from North London and my roots are important to me and I'm lucky I have the same friends and family who kept me grounded so they too can share our success and a sense of realness , my escape is the stage.

The 80s seem to be once again enjoying a revival - why do you think the sounds are still so relevant today?

Strong songs , everyone had a unique individual sound and look. Today it's paint by numbers.

Looking back over your own career, what would you say has been your highlight?

There are so many , having dinner in the Mandela household with Nelson Mandela's daughter Zinzi , being able to help orphan children with the charity SOS Children and their worldwide orphanage villages. I'm a patron. Music gave me a chance to excel and give back , travel see the world and how far music can change lives.

And your favourite Imagination song?

'In and out of love', it was our second single and had raw emotion and the lyric was a reality.

Outside of your own work, are there any songs you wish you had written/performed?

The whole Stevie Wonder or Motown catalogue even the Beatles or Ella Fitzgerald's catalogue. I'm a jukebox of songs that's a hard one.

Who have you not worked with that you would still like to collaborate with?

Maybe Stevie Wonder , Prince , Quincy Jones. I can learn so much more.

Are there any of the upcoming acts that you would bet on being around in 30 years time?

Adele , Beverly Knight - love her voice. I love live performance and it's all down to that with new artists. There are a few I'm watching.

What is your one piece of advice for those starting out these days?

This is question I ask many of the artists in our Flashback film. Be true to who you are as an artist , keep learning (education is the key). Try to do small gigs to build your stage confidence as an artist NOT a celebrity.