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Richard Ashcroft's United Nations of Sound Brings the Journey Full Circle - Are You Ready?

Posted: 14 years ago
Richard Ashcroft

Former Verve svengali and song-writer Richard Ashcroft has announced his intentions this year with a new single under the banner, United Nations Of Sound as well as composing music for a thought-provoking short-film about the brutality behind sex-trafficking.

The UNOS single is entitled 'Are You Ready?' and we have the video embedded right here. The song is certainly a modern take on the hey-days of the early 90s and the video shows Ashcroft psyching himself up for the times ahead, portraying a man in training and a man focused. It's all quite intense until you realize he's kicking a ball around the Thames Path near Richmond! Looks a bit parky as well, truth be told.

The track itself is a classic Ashcroft anthem sounding not unlike 'Come Together' (Primal Scream - not a bad thing) and builds up to a climax with a rousing chorus and howling guitar - certainly his best for a long time I'd say, up there with 'Lucky Man' and 'Song For Lovers'. It's unlikely to get a release on its own - you will have to wait for the UNOS album out around the end of March and called 'Redemption'. The producer of the song is No ID who has worked on Jay-Z's recent material and is expected to finish this new album as well.

As well as his new main project, Richard donated a more austere song for a short film last month entitled 'The Journey' directed by the enigmatic Richard Jobson (16 Years Of Alcohol) and narrated by Emma Thompson. The film is a brutal story of a trafficked 17 year old from Moldova who is subjected to beatings, rapes and fast-tracked into prostitution and has been produced to create awareness of the work being carried out by the charitable organization, the Helen Bamber Foundation who give help, refuge and aid to survivors of cruelty as well as providing education and awareness to those of us a bit more fortunate to have a warm fire and something to eat every day. All proceeds from the single, also called 'The Journey' go to the charity direct. The charity can be found at www.helenbamber.org

Paul Pledger