The best things are worth waiting for. For years, UK-based performer and songwriter Octavia has been involved in music and has built up formidable experience.
You might not have heard of her, but more than likely you might have heard some of her work, even as a ghost-writer that didn’t get any of the limelight. Sometimes as the provider of incidental music for TV programmes. Now Octavia is presenting her own project to unleash and indulge her inner diva.
Champagne Dreads is the project. Its time is right now, but its influences are intricate and deeply nuanced. Drawing together numerous and diverse elements into something effervescent and distinctive. The starting points are reggae, pop and even dance to create a hybrid, genre-bending sophisticated sound with crossover potential aplenty.
With equal doses of humour and intelligence applied, the result is hoped to be joyful, aspirational, and enriching - things that don’t always get associated with reggae. Though reggae is only one part of this project, and those reggae elements are taken on their own journey of discovery. The music has the depth of reggae and the commercial sensibilities of pop yet builds a soundscape with singular integrity.
Octavia originally was pulling double-time. Working with music and as a London-based medical doctor, but now spends all her time developing Champagne Dreads. Initial exposure was via teasers, including airplay and interviews in Antigua with well-known DJ Sly J (a household name in the Caribbean) who’s very supportive of the project.
If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. That’s how you get an enduring vintage. All the Champagne Dreads tracks are rich in detail with lush, polished, skilfully layered production thanks to super-talented key collaborator Tony White. Final mixes on all tracks are from LA-based Paul Lani, who’s client list is a veritable who’s who of some of the biggest music industry names. Paul’s another that loves the Champagne Dreads concept and sound and is involved because he just gets the music. Now everyone can get it too.
Others are involved in a guest capacity. Like vocalist Mozez, most well-known for his work with Zero 7 and Nightmares on Wax and as solo artist, legendary reggae drummer and vocalist Horseman, and Patrick Anthony on trumpet from UB40, Matumbi, Dennis Bovell and many others.
Reaction to the Champagne Dreads’ releases has been overwhelmingly positive. Radio airplay has been extensive, streaming numbers on Spotify and Apple Music strong, and very large viewer numbers on YouTube have been racked up worldwide.
The world needs cheered up. Champagne Dreads sparkles - give it a sip and feel your mood lift.
