‘Soul Deep’ is a new book from Stuart Deabill & Ian Snowball celebrating the maverick 1980’s musical collective, The Style Council, through the eyes of its former members, background team, and its fans.
The Style Council were formed in 1983 by Paul Weller and Mick Talbot, after Paul decided to split the biggest group in Britain, The Jam for a total change of direction.
The looser, soulful feel enabled Paul and Mick to try an array of fantastic styles and sounds with many other musicians, with commercial success at home and abroad for the first 4 years, including several top 10 singles and a number 1 UK album in 1985 with ‘Our Favourite Shop’.
By 1988 the band however found increasing difficulty with their label Polydor and fell out of favour with the record buying public.
By the summer of 89, it was all over.
But what a catalogue of songs and legacy!
From Blue-eyed Soul to Rap, from Hammond-driven pop to funk, from R’n’B to House, from Folk to Jazz, the Council knew no bounds and educated and inspired throughout their 6 year career.
Many of the songs reflected the political unrest and unease of the era superbly and Paul, Mick and co wasn’t afraid to put their names where it mattered, helping striking miners, CND, Band & Live Aid, AAA, Red Wedge and other noble causes.
And they also wrote some blinding love songs!
The musicality and attitude on offer was always pure, unique and modernist at every turn, and some 30 odd years later, the 5 studio albums are more loved than ever.
‘Soul Deep’ features new interviews and quotes with some of the ‘councillors’ as well as many rare and unseen photos.
There will also be insights and recollections from fans who took ‘probably the best pop group in the world’ to their hearts.
‘Soul Deep’ will also heavily feature the art of the band, where the record sleeves and press ads were given as much attention as the releases they were representing.
Designer Steve Rowland will provide the skilled aesthetic to produce a high-quality coffee table book that will be a fantastic addition to any TSC fan’s collection.
Sound too good to be true?
Well there is one thing and we’ll need your help.
To produce the book to the quality we feel The Style Council deserves, we’ll run a kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds, with exclusive rewards attached next month.
Details of when how you can help us achieve our target will be posted in the coming weeks across our social media, once we have finalised the kickstarter date.
Feel free to share the ‘Soul Deep’ page now, and spread the word.
Stu, Snowy and Steve x
The Style Council were formed in 1983 by Paul Weller and Mick Talbot, after Paul decided to split the biggest group in Britain, The Jam for a total change of direction.
The looser, soulful feel enabled Paul and Mick to try an array of fantastic styles and sounds with many other musicians, with commercial success at home and abroad for the first 4 years, including several top 10 singles and a number 1 UK album in 1985 with ‘Our Favourite Shop’.
By 1988 the band however found increasing difficulty with their label Polydor and fell out of favour with the record buying public.
By the summer of 89, it was all over.
But what a catalogue of songs and legacy!
From Blue-eyed Soul to Rap, from Hammond-driven pop to funk, from R’n’B to House, from Folk to Jazz, the Council knew no bounds and educated and inspired throughout their 6 year career.
Many of the songs reflected the political unrest and unease of the era superbly and Paul, Mick and co wasn’t afraid to put their names where it mattered, helping striking miners, CND, Band & Live Aid, AAA, Red Wedge and other noble causes.
And they also wrote some blinding love songs!
The musicality and attitude on offer was always pure, unique and modernist at every turn, and some 30 odd years later, the 5 studio albums are more loved than ever.
‘Soul Deep’ features new interviews and quotes with some of the ‘councillors’ as well as many rare and unseen photos.
There will also be insights and recollections from fans who took ‘probably the best pop group in the world’ to their hearts.
‘Soul Deep’ will also heavily feature the art of the band, where the record sleeves and press ads were given as much attention as the releases they were representing.
Designer Steve Rowland will provide the skilled aesthetic to produce a high-quality coffee table book that will be a fantastic addition to any TSC fan’s collection.
Sound too good to be true?
Well there is one thing and we’ll need your help.
To produce the book to the quality we feel The Style Council deserves, we’ll run a kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds, with exclusive rewards attached next month.
Details of when how you can help us achieve our target will be posted in the coming weeks across our social media, once we have finalised the kickstarter date.
Feel free to share the ‘Soul Deep’ page now, and spread the word.
Stu, Snowy and Steve x
Wow am I looking forward to this
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