The Biography

Quality succeeds at last! In the fast and modern world of media with daily new born stars and trends its the established names and artists that succeed and get the upper places in the international charts. „There you know what you got“, could be the motto of costumers and Listeners, who buy products of known and reliable artists, instead of following shortliving developements: Quality succeeds at last!

With their recent sixth studioalbum LONDONBEAT finally established themselfes at the top of international music business. After the from media and press well recognized comebackalbum „Back in the Hi-Life“ last year now the consequent story of success continues with the new released album „Gravity“ and the single release „Heaven“, while consequently keeping the former recipe of success.

It`s this typical LONDONBEAT-sound, that charms one`s ears, that nearly „manifested“ in the radioplaylists and in Russia for example cought hundredthousands for their concerts last year.„People like our Sound“, says Jimmy Helms, Mastermind and leadsinger. “From year to year we get booked by organizers. They can count on us, that people will like our shows.“

No wonder: Who doesn`t remember „I’ve been thinking about you“. That was their big number, THE worldwide hit. In the early 90`s it was Nr.1 in Germany, Nr.1 in USA and Nr.2 in UK. One of the songs, that makes the sun shine on your face. You hear it once and never forget it again. „It`s amazing, how one or two songs can „brand“ your name into the minds of many million people for ever“, so Helms. „We asked ourselfes many times: Why just ‚I’ve been thinking about you’“? I think, people connect the way they lived that time with the song. They still know, where they were and what they did, when they listened to it for the first time. You can`t plan such things. It just happens.“ More than three million times the single is sold and LONDONBEAT immidiatelly made global superstars of pop.

With „You bring on the Sun“ there was another top ten hit on the following album, but after this the bandmembers , that gathered 1987 as backgroundsingers of Paul Young and one year later had their first chart success with the ballad “9 a.m. (The Comfort Zone)“ went their own ways. Helms wrote a few songs and focused on his „masterpiece“ again – a as triology planed “mystic-historical book about the conquest of America by the Europeans.“ He`s on that now for 15 years.

But he has to lay his pen besides once more...

Together with Jimmy Chambers, founding member of the band, and the guitarist Myles Kayne, Helms does again what the fans are demanding: LONDONBEAT, motivated by the successes of “Back in the Hi-Life“ and

the chartsingle “Where are U”.

By the way: Non of LONDONBEAT is british, but all of them live there today.

Helms is from Boston, Kayne from Florida and Chambers`s origin is Trinidad.

Then why call it LONDONBEAT?

“When the band started, there was this irremarkable London-sound.

Soul II Soul, Fine Young Cannibals, Neneh Cherry.

We tried to catch up this sound that time and therefore we called us LONDONBEAT.“

Marc Goldschmitz, the second guitarist left the band at the beginning of this year to focus on his soloprojects but LONDONBEAT, decreased to a trio, continue where they stopped last year.

Under the roof of the coconut-records and again led by the legendary „coconut-producers“ Tony Hendrik and Karin Hartmann „Gravity“ unites the well-known LONDONBEAT-sound, easy-flowing melodies and the most modern production-methods. Helms and Co. have been supported again by producer Sylvester Simmons and for the first time by multi-platin-producer Tony Catania (“Scatman”).

So in the beginning of 2004 an album was made in the very own coconut-studios,

that convinces by its wide spectrum and variety: “Heaven”, the first single release will evoke romantic feelings triggered by Helms irremarkable voice, “Bustin Free“ impresses with fantastic guitar arrangements and a chorusline, that once you`ve listened to it will be branded into your mind. “Walls of Love“ will push you into a blue mood, that forces you to listen to it again and again. Other recommended songs to listen to are “Brothers & Sisters“, a beautiful ballad and “Kiss of Life“.

Somehow its difficult to decide just for one song! LONDONBEAT really made a great album, not just three singles filled up with low-quality songs. An album, that`s worth listening from the first to the last tone. „Gravity“ sounds grown up, without being boring, mature, without being bourgeois and beautiful, without being trashy . The positive mood, the “musical sunshine” was kept on.

„We don`t feel sorry for our good mood”, said Jimmy Helms. “We don`t feel ashamed for we are an experienced band. We are aware of the nostalgic factor and are happy about the fact, that we reach the people that we reached over ten years ago.

Just like the last album we also wanted to set a signal, that we moved further forward by using old elements mixed up with new ideas.

I would say, we are a new LONDONBEAT, we didn`t forget where we come from.“

The consumers will be pleased because – like said before - quality succeeds at last!