Album Of The Month - February 2017
Soda - 'Artificial Flavour'
Hull based outfit Soda were an important part of the Britpop music scene from 1994 through to 1997.
They quickly built up a strong local following and their profile was boosted further afield with prestigious support slots for bands such as Oasis, Shed Seven, Supergrass and Cast. Growing reputation was enhanced with the release of self-financed single 'Slave To The Fashion Page' on their own label in September 1994.
On the back of this early success Soda signed a major record deal with Fontana (a subsidiary of Mercury Records) in July 1995. Soda released 3 well received singles - 'The Young Own The Town' (November 1995), 'Inside' (January 1996) and 'Dragging You Into My Dreams' (August 1996).
During 1996 the band also recorded their debut album 'Artificial Flavour' at a reputed cost of £250,000. Sadly, the Britpop bubble burst and Fontana pulled the plug on any further investment and the album was confined to the vaults.
Move forward 20 years and Soda make the decision to release their long lost album. On 20th November 2016 'Artificial Flavour' was finally made available through the band's own Prettiest Souls label. Highlights are the Fontana singles mentioned earlier together with some great B-sides and other previously unreleased material.
Soda's debut album is a triumph that sounds fresh and punchy more than 20 years after recording!
They quickly built up a strong local following and their profile was boosted further afield with prestigious support slots for bands such as Oasis, Shed Seven, Supergrass and Cast. Growing reputation was enhanced with the release of self-financed single 'Slave To The Fashion Page' on their own label in September 1994.
On the back of this early success Soda signed a major record deal with Fontana (a subsidiary of Mercury Records) in July 1995. Soda released 3 well received singles - 'The Young Own The Town' (November 1995), 'Inside' (January 1996) and 'Dragging You Into My Dreams' (August 1996).
During 1996 the band also recorded their debut album 'Artificial Flavour' at a reputed cost of £250,000. Sadly, the Britpop bubble burst and Fontana pulled the plug on any further investment and the album was confined to the vaults.
Move forward 20 years and Soda make the decision to release their long lost album. On 20th November 2016 'Artificial Flavour' was finally made available through the band's own Prettiest Souls label. Highlights are the Fontana singles mentioned earlier together with some great B-sides and other previously unreleased material.
Soda's debut album is a triumph that sounds fresh and punchy more than 20 years after recording!