Tri Sound Label Launches

A new voice on the soul scene is set to make itself heard, with music moguls Marshall Chess and Eddie Piller launching Tri Sound.

With Duffy riding high in the charts and new film 'Cadillac Records' scoring rave reviews, soul has rarely been so popular since the glory years of the 60s. The northern soul scene is enjoyed renewed publicity, and Mark Ronson has proved that a soul touch is a sure fire way to go racing up the charts.

Now a new label has been launched which aims to blend the best of the old with some sterling new talent. Helmed by Marshall Chess and Eddie Piller, it unites two men who know more about soul than most.

Marshall Chess was born into a musical dynasty. His father founded Chess Records, with Marshall Chess growing up around the legends of blues and soul. Founding the group Rotary Connection he added a slice of psychedelia to the mix before leaving to work with The Rolling Stones.

Eddie Piller meanwhile began life as a face on the Mod scene in the 80s. A DJ and clubland figure he later founded Acid Jazz with Gilles Peterson and helped launch careers of the JTQ and many more.

The pair are due to work with Cosmo Studios in Sweden, a home to current soul acts founded by Fredrik Ekander. All three are familiar with each other's work, with Marshall Chess commenting "the first time I walked into Cosmos in Stockholm was a de-ja vu experience, I hadn't felt creative energy like Cosmos was radiating since I left Chess."

"I’ve always like the way the British have taken American soul, twisted it and sold it back to us," the legendary producer continued. “it’s a fresh approach and more classically orientated then contemporary R’n’ B. Our aim is to provide a platform for soul from a European perspective”.

Eddie Piller, meanwhile, was typically enthusiastic about the project. “Marshall is a bona-fide legend – one of the last great record men. I can’t wait to get stuck into his phone book and see who we can make some music with”.

Tri-Sound is due to launch with a fresh take on 'Mercy'. One of last year's biggest singles, Duffy's version has been given a radical overhaul by The Third Degree. A gutsy re-working, it has already become a fixture on the Northern Soul scene.

The Third Degree release their version of 'Mercy' through Tri-Thoughts on July 27th.