The Lewis Express are a Leeds, UK-based Jazz/Funk/Soul ensemble, whose name is, actually, a homage to beloved American Jazz composer, pianist, and radio personality Ramsay Lewis. The Express currently consists of pianist George Cooper, bassist Neil Innes, drummer Sam Hobbs, and percussionist "Bongo" Pete Williams; Innes & Williams are the founders of Leeds-based ATA (All Things Analogue) Records, while a number of The Lewis Express' players have previously functioned as part of The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Abstract Orchestra, The Joe Tatton Trio, The Mandatory Eight, and Dread Supreme, as well as releases backing Matthew Bourne, Tony Burkill & Rachel Modest. ATA Records previously released The Lewis Express' self-titled 7-song EP last August to wide-spread fan and critical acclaim. Now, less than a year later, George, Neil, Sam & Bongo Pete have triumphantly returned with their next 7-inch/digital single, "Clap Your Hands" & "Stomp Your Feet" from an upcoming, as-yet-unreleased album, also, entitled Clap Your Hands.


"It features 2 exclusive dancefloor-friendly alternative versions of tracks originally recorded for the forthcoming LP, Clap Your Hands," explains a press release from Pete Williams & Neil Innes. "The band channel Eddie Cano and Pete Terrace for the Latin Boogaloo of Side A's "Clap Your Hands," while Side B's "Stomp Your Feet" takes the baton and races off with some storming, Mod-Jazz aimed squarely at the dancefloor," it continues. So far, only Side B stand-out "Stomp Your Feet" has been released digitally "to the masses," but it's definitely a scorcher that's "PERFECT FOR A LATE NIGHT, SWEATY HOUSE PARTY - SHOES OFF AND BEER IN THE SINK!" as an ATA promo perfectly suggests. The Lewis Express are currently hosting a pre-order for their "Clap Your Hands" B/W "Stomp Your Feet" 7-inch/digital single on Bandcamp, which are, somehow, both going for just £7 GBP—about $8.77 USD + $1.88 for Shipping & Handling—so, how could anyone NOT pick up this glorious piece of Ruby Red wax?!!!??! Also, the first 100 copies of this limited edition Lewis Express 7-inch will be personally hand-numbered by the band/label, as well.