Cream Reunion interview: Joanna Law

We hear your mother was a classical singer and trained you from an early age. Tell us about your musical childhood and what you would listen to?
My Mum was a professional classical singer and still teaches. Music was/is a part of everyday life. I sang in a church choir from an early age. I still adore choral church music, but it has always been mixed with other genres. I was born in Trinidad and whilst I was growing in the womb was exposed to Steel Pan Music, as my Mum directed the local band. Strange but true.

You teamed up with your brothers for your first release in 1987. Was that something you always had planned and did you find it easy to work together?
Working with my brothers was a natural thing - we always sang together 'Von Trapp' style (laughs). It's had its ups and downs… we don't always see eye to eye, but musically there is an undeniable chemistry!

You collaborated with Jazz/Trip Hop act Pressure Drop in the early 90s. Is that a sound you were very much in to?
Pressure Drop were so very wonderful to work with and yes I adore the jazz/hip-hop vibe like cooked food! They are a very talented duo and I wish they would make another record. Love them to bits!

Your first major release came from the 1990 classic 'First Time Ever', in which you covered Roberta Flack's 1972 hit. Had that song held a special meaning for you?
My brother played me a version by the Temptations I think which is truly beautiful, like Roberta's. He said "do you fancy doing a version?" and we went from there. I have only realised in retrospect what a special song it is and we were quite brave to do it. I think it has touched a lot of people. Quite a few peeps have said they made their babies to our version! What better accolade (laughs).



By releasing an acappella of 'First Time Ever' you were sampled by various dance artists including Mastersafe, Slacker and most notably Way Out West for the 1996 hit 'The Gift'. Were you happy for your work to be sampled?
I was very happy, but just wished at the time, more producers wanted to use my voice on original material. That's why I loved Space Brothers… they allowed my to really use my voice to its best potential. Love them to bits too!

'The Gift' went on to hit no.15 in the charts and you performed it on TOTP with Nick & Jody. What are your memories of that?
TOTP, wow it was such big fun! I felt at home I must say, and I got to meet Peter Andre (laughs). 

You built up quite a relationship with Ricky and Stephen from the Space Brothers. How did it all start for you guys?
Ricky and Steven were masters of their genre and lovely geezers to boot. They knew what they wanted to hear and luckily my voice was the right fit. Very special times.



'Shine' and 'Someone' became Trance classics and were championed by Oakenfold during his residency at Cream. Did you tour the Space Brothers hits at the time?
It's a shame I didn't do Cream at that time. I did a Tour of Great Britain and many venues in Europe too but the scene at the time was very 'male' and sometimes it felt that the singers were surplus to requirements… I always just did my thing so it was cool!



What were your views on the Trance scene back in the 90s?
Trance… I just do not like to get stuck in genres… if the music feels good I like it - simple. Also those making it make the difference. I have worked with some pure sweethearts and some assholes. You win some you lose some!

Which other female vocalists do you admire?
Female vocalists… Sarah Vaughn, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Betty Carter, KD Laing, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Bjork, Karen Carpenter, Diane Reeves, Caron Wheeler, Elizabeth Fraser… the list is endless. I'm a singer's singer, no doubt!

You formed a partnership with your brother Simon called 'Slowmain'. Tell us about that project?
Slowmain… thank you for asking about this. It's our labour of love and I'm still trying to get Simon to finish it - watch this space! I have done my best singing ever on this project - it's deep and spiritual; it's the story of our lives in many ways.

You've recently released a solo record entitled 'Midnight Blue'. Tell us about that and your future plans?
Midnight Blue is my lil' homage to the beauty of Lover's Rock, a genre I adore, downloadable on iTunes NOW! P.S. it's not a tune we could bust at Cream - rather too slow darling! I have recorded many beautiful songs which have yet to be heard. I'd like to get them all in a downloadable format. Again, watch this space.

Finally, are you looking forward to a trip down memory lane performing at Cream Reunion?
I am so looking forward to Cream Reunion 6. Last time I performed these songs I was five months pregnant, 11 years ago. It was the loudest, heaviest (trance-wise) club I've ever been to. Ricky and Steven were worried (laughs). My son has become a very fine singer and musician, so it didn't do him any harm. So yes, it will be absolutely wonderful to do it again! See you there!

Joanna will be performing Way Out West 'The Gift', Space Brothers 'Shine' / 'Forgiven' and Ascension 'Someone' at Cream Reunion on 2nd Feb 2013.

Tickets are still available through Skiddle

Tickets are no longer available for this event