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Links: www.nicolewillis.com

April 2006
With spring on the wing Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators release their third album "Keep Reachin' Up" on Timmion Records, distributed by Lifesaver Records in Finland, BoomBox in the UK, P-Vine in Japan, Groove Attack in the rest of the EU, Namskeio in Switzerland and on sale at Dustgrooves in the US. The release is actually the third for Ms. Willis, (her previous releases without the Soul Investigators), the first titled "Soul Makeover" 2000 and second "Be It" 2004, both on Puu/Sähkö Recordings. It's a third for the Soul Investigators too, their previous LP's titled "Soul Strike" 2001 and "Home Cooking" 2002 both on the home of the Soul Investigator's, Timmion Records.
They couldn't have anticipated the love with this new LP "Keep Reachin' Up" that they have received. Much embraced by the UK's Northern Soul scene, appearing on the cover of fanzine "Soul Up North" for January 2006, pushed on the dance floors by the very best underground NS dj's, lauded by supreme tastemaker Gilles Peterson while "If This Ain't Love (Don't Know What Is)" voted to number 8 on BBC Worldwide's "Track Of The Year" list and dj Mr. Scruff, Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators get busy with a bunch of live shows lined up for spring and summer 2006. The Soul Investigators are ten members strong, including Jukka Sarapää on drums, Didier "Baby Spector" Selin on tamborine, guitar & bass, Pete Toikkanen on guitar & bass, Antti Määtänen organ, piano, Sami Kantelinen bass, Lasse Tolvanen tenor sax, Erno Haukkala trombone, Eero Savela trumpet, Antti "Kana" Lauranen on baritone sax & flute and Karri "Koira" Siren as live MC & tamborine. The recording includes contributions from meister Jimmy Tenor (flute, tenor sax, horn & string arrangements), strings arrangements from Pekka Kuusisto.

In the fine as wine company of groups like Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigator's are stepping into tomorrow with their special recipe of classic soul funk. This record is a keeper on the turntable!
Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators will be lighting it up this spring & summer in UK at the Big Chill and Gilles' Maida Vale Session on BBC1 Worldwide, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, at Slovakia's TRF Green Water Festival, France, Germany, Netherlands as well as Kuustock, Imatra Big Band Festival, Tavastia and Jyrock in their native Finland.
The very special sleeve art which suits the listen so well comes brought to you by Pablo Steffa, Mikko Ryhänen, Karoline Kangas & Topi. It's looking bold and beautiful on the new LP, which is out now. Expect some limited edition LP's coming your way soon, creative direction by Tupla Jukka. Gotta get em all! Including the new 7" single "My Four Leaf Clover/ Holdin On". No one's gonna love you if you don't have this LP playing at the Juhannus cook out!

The Soul Investigators:
Jukka Sarapää - drums
Didier Selin - tamborine, bass, guitar
Pete Toikkanen - guitar, bass
Antti Määttänen - organ, piano
Sami Kantelinen - bass
Lasse Tolvanen - tenor saxophone
Erno Haukkala - trombone
Eero Savela - trumpet
Antti Lauranen - baritone saxophone