Orlando Lund
London
Orlando ‘The Don’ Lund is a songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and arranger from London.
I began songwriting seriously (and prolifically) in 1990 when I was signed to Virgin Music. Since that time I've done a fair amount of 'honing'.
In the early 90s, after developing a taste for soul music and funk music, I formed the famously 'off the wall' soul-funk-jazz collective "The Big Cheese All Stars" - http://www.groovecollector.com/artist/big-cheese-all-stars/567/?fmt=0&special=0&srt_bio=artist - Our collaborations culminated in 1995 with the release of the double album extravaganza: "Prawns". This contained many of my original compositions interpreted by a group of the most influential and talented musicians in the London Soul / Funk / Jazz scene at the time. Although by no means defined by this genre, it's nevertheless regarded as an Acid Jazz classic with a twist of PFunk and a heavy dose of Soul.
I play a variety of instruments – guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion, vocals, and I have been producing for many years.
One of my current projects (Palma Groove Project) is a collaboration with the incredible singer called Sheela Gathright. Sheela is originally from New York. She is the daughter of Willie Wright, enigmatic soul singer and songwriter from the 70s http://www.allmusic.com/artist/willie-wright-mn0002615541
The Palma Groove Project album (2014) is a collaboration of songwriting, instrumentation, production, arrangement….and SOUL. Check it out!
In April 2019 after 3 years working with 3 very talented musicians from Milan, I have released a new album entitled "Unicorn Street". The band is called Spacecake International.
The compositions on the “Unicorn Street” album come primarily from a collaboration between me and another another experienced songwriter / producer / singer - Sergio “SirJo” Cocchi. Spacecake International fuse Jazz, Psychedelic Soul, Space Rock, Funk and Groove, with Steely Dan-esque and Zappa inspired arrangements
I've again brought together all my influences from Space-Rock to P-Funk, from Soul to Acid Jazz and I've contributed all guitars, electric bass, drum programming, keyboards, and many of the backing vocals on the album, whilst also taking care of all production and arrangements.
Singer Sergio lived and studied music in Los Angeles, and has collaborated with artists such as singer Lisa Fischer (Rolling Stones). He's also written, produced and released 2 albums as part of the Milan based "Founda©tion" project. His incredibly soulful voice, and easy lyrical style is carried on the back of his crisp, accurate, multi-layered backing vocals. His wide dynamic vocal range handles deep baritone to Prince-like falsetto, and includes all the grit in between.
The two of us are ably abetted by virtuosic instrumental performances on all the tracks from Pancho Ragonese (piano and Wurlitzer electric piano), Pepe Ragonese (trumpet), Pep Lluis Garcia (congas and percussion), Pablo Di Salvo (additional bass) and Miki Ramón (tenor sax).
Youtube album preview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PX9yDfZ1xc
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Some artists who I can say have definitely influenced me as a writer, musician and producer, and who have ‘moved me’ include:
Sly & The Family Stone, Steely Dan, Donny Hathaway, Billy Cobham, ParliamentFunkadelic, Cameo, Roy Ayers, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Chuck Brown, D’Angelo, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Little Feat, Gil Scott-Heron, Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder and many more...
I even had the pleasure and good luck of performing with a few of these artists back in the mid 90s…… (answers on a postcard please)
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Please enjoy my music. I am a songwriter - melody, groove and harmony are very important to me. Feel free to make comments - your feedback and comments would be very much appreciated ;-)
Stay funky
‘The Don’