Steve Skaith
Biographie Steve Skaith
Latin Quarter
was formed in August 1983, initially consisting of Mike Jones (lyrics), Steve Skaith (vocals, guitar) and Richard Wright (guitar). Mike Jones and Steve Skaith were both members of Big Flame, a political organisation concerned with social justice, and actually started writing and home-recording some two years prior to the formation of the band. "Modern Times" - their critically acclaimed debut album - was released in September 1985. It went Top Twenty in a lot of countries. Songs like "Modern Times", "America For Beginners", "No Rope As Long As Times" and the "New Millionaires" have all become enduring songs but 1986's "Radio Africa" has taken on timeless classic status. The group's second album "Mick And Caroline" was released in 1987, the third album "Swimming Against The Stream" in 1989. 1993 saw the release of the Latin Quarter album "'Long Pig".
After that, Latin Quarter/Steve Skaith effectively disappeared from the music scene until the release of the appropriately named single "Surprised" in 1997. The first song from their new album "'Bringing Rosa Home", it was quickly followed by two other singles -- "Angel" and "Branded" -- taken from the same source. These were probably the most commercial records Latin Quarter had released since "'Radio Africa".
After a six-year absence, Steve Skaith returned in 2005 with a new band and a new album "'Mexile" followed by "Empires and Us" (2006) and "Imaginary Friend" (2007). Steve Skaith had had teamed up with musicians in Mexico to produce albums brimming with memorable rhythms and intelligent lyrics. Although recorded in Mexico, the music retained an essentially British feel in much the same manner as the late Kirsty MacColl's Brazilian recorded "Tropical Brainstorm".
In 2007 Steve Skaith returned to the UK; he reformed his band and recorded his actual album "Latin Quarter Revisited" in 2009.
