4 March 1944–27 June 2014
The producer and XL Recordings owner on recording with the soul man with the ‘otherworldly’ voice
I got to know Bobby’s music through his 80s output. His was a voice that cut through the radio. You couldn’t forget it as soon as you’d heard it. When I was working with Gil Scott-Heron we both made lists of songs that we thought would be interesting to cover and Gil had Harry Hippie by Bobby on this list. I think all Bobby’s peers were fans and admirers of his because he was such a great musician. Some of the best records of all time have got his guitar work on – Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin. It’s almost as distinctive as his voice.
Damon [Albarn] had reached out to find Bobby when he was making the Gorillaz record [2010’s Plastic Beach]. I was extremely excited. When you hear a voice you haven’t heard for a long time there’s a certain trepidation – is it still going to carry the magic – but Bobby sounded fantastic. He wanted Damon to help him make a record and Damon suggested the three of us do the sessions together.
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