MIAMI, FL. (Empire Musicwerks press release) - Brian Harvey, who led the U.K.'s most successful dance-pop group of the '90s, East 17, selling 15 million records worldwide, has always dreamed of making a record that reflects his passion for American-bred soul music.
In England, his very comfortable career as pop idol was nice for a while but Brian has higher aspirations. Aspirations that have taken him from London to Miami-based indie label Empire Musicwerks, where, Harvey says, "I will finally make the record I've always wanted to make."
Think of the appreciative Harvey as a British invasion unto himself, bringing to these U.S. shores not only his considerable pipes, but also a refreshing attitude towards the music business here.
Wyclef Jean worked with Harvey on "Ole Ole Ole (Loving You)," which the two recorded in New York at Jean's invitation while Harvey was working on some tracks for a solo album. The track has been remixed for his as-yet-untitled Empire MusicWerks debut.
"They're American remixes, and they're really great," Harvey beams. "They're up-to-date, top-notch, really good production. Empire's production was absolutely wicked."
The video for "Ole Ole Ole (Loving You)" was directed by Andy Monoghan, and features Jean, as well as Dutch soccer champion Edgar Davids. The clip is kicking up raves in conjunction with the Euro 2004 tournament.
"Coming to America and releasing an album is something I've always wanted to do," Harvey reveals. "This is a real big bill for me. How incredibly fortunate to have someone like Wyclef on my debut single in America. We were supposed to co-write ŒOle,' but ŒClef sort of ran away with it, and I let him do what he wanted to do, Œcause I was just happy to have him on the record with me. He's a massive star, and to have him work with me - I just think it's amazing."
Though he released two solo albums after departing East 17, his Empire Musicwerks collection is a stateside first. And while he's famous (and infamous, thanks to the relentless British press) across The Pond, Harvey is a new artist here, something that he says is a good thing.
"I've got a lot of baggage in the U.K. and Europe, what with being in a very successful band and all " he says candidly. "People know me and it's been ongoing for years. This is a new start in a fresh land - in the place, really, that I admire the most, because all of the people that I listen to come from America. England and Europe can't even compete. I've always said that they need to take a leaf out of the American's books, because they just do it properly, down to the production, the packaging, the styling, the videos. It's just much better coming from there. No one else can get it right like America can. That is just how it is".
He's traveled long and far with his reputation and his creativity, and now, exactly one decade after his first hit record with East 17, Harvey has finally arrived.
