Desmond Coke - Let's Chase the Sun (1989/2019) [Hi-Res]

Singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Desmond Coke’s supremely rare, privately pressed, lo-fi, synth-soul fusion, Let’s Chase The Sun is represented here in edited form. Painstakingly remastered from the original tapes, this self taught pianist, drummer and sax player condensed his musical experiences and dreams in to an opus on love and togetherness.

Desmond Coke alias ‘Fatfingers’ – named by fellow musicians due to improvisation and interpretation skills – began playing keyboards by ear at 15 and went on to a music career playing with the likes of Alton Ellis, Prince Fari, Barrington Levy, Dillinger, Don Cherry and Shara Nelson, as well as a gamut of the On-U Sound label’s projects, including Creation Rebel, Dub Syndicate, Singers & Players and Mark Stewart + Maffia.

With an interest in reggae, dub, jazz, soul, meringue, gospel and garage, his sole album was a true fusion to create a brand new sound. Composed, arranged and produced by Coke, he worked with an array of seasoned musicians, including his own sisters Winifred (percussion / vocals) and Paulette Coke (percussion / DX-7 & M1 synthesisers).

Pressed on his own Saterlite Entertainments in 1989, Coke describes the album’s purpose, “to get the message across to have focus, ambition, to dream and ‘chase the sun’. That relationships are important, ‘I need somebody’ and naturally the chemistry is ‘you and me’. Great relationships are about friendships and that it’s ok to ‘mesmerise a friend’. The most natural thing is to enjoy each other’s company and to ‘make a love child’. These good intentions and meanings, where love is the key.” Some thirty years later Desmond’s thoughts are as resonant today as then – Let’s Chase The Sun.