NEW MUSIC: Constantine Weir aka Yahya releases Paul Weller collaboration

Gallino were history makers, ie founder members Robert Gallagher, Constantine Weir and Crispin Robinson, the first band signed to Eddie Pillers Acid Jazz records label then they were the first band signed to Gilles Peterson equally ground breaking Talkin’ Loud Records.

The original line up of Galliano wrote legendary tunes like Skunk Funk, Earth Boots and Frederic Lies Still, their live gigs were a joyous celebration concocting a mixture of visuals and sounds like Funkadelic, James Brown and Run DMC all mixed into one, with the help of Steve Ameedee aka Uncle Big Man and Michael Snaith aka The Vibe Controller plus a stellar live band featuring the vocal talents of Valerie Etienne and Mick Talbot fresh from splitting from The Style Council.

So whilst Rob and Valerie have recently reformed Galliano releasing new material and playing gigs again, what’s happening with the other founding members? Crispin has been seen masterfully keeping instrumental beats with a mixture of artists, whilst Constantine Weir, now known as Yahya, has been quietly releasing some groundbreaking music via his Itez Music label.

Debut album Certainly Beyond Logic is firmly rooted in the deep spiritual vibes Sun Ra, Miles Davis and The Headhunters were famed for. Some supporting releases including mini album Service Rendered and the single Contradictions had supporters foaming at the mouth for what further possibilities awaited.

His latest single release Rising Sun, as Weir has stated, he has drafted in the big guns. Featuring long time friend Paul Weller to play pretty much everything apart from drums which were supplied by long time Modfather collaborator Steve White. Weir’s last involvement with Weller was a spoken word section on the multimillion selling Stanley Road on the Dr John cover Walk On Guilded Splinters, so seemingly Weller has returned the favour on this new track.

Some details behind Rising Sun as mentioned to me from Weir ‘I wrote the song. Weller heard the song and wanted to produce it. He did backing vocals & plays all instruments except drums which is Steve White, bamboo flute is me.’ The track is of the highest order, a mixture of Crosby Stills Nash and Young mixed with Revolver period arrangement with Weir’s Gil Scott Heron like vocals, the track is a revelation which needs to be heard to be believed.

I contacted Weir back in 2023 about doing an interview about his time in Galliano but could tell this might not come to fruition due to what appeared Weir’s spiritual rebirth. He recently told me about this new musical outburst ‘Initially i had the need to capture my sufi teaching on record. So i made my 1st independet release Heavens at the Feet of Mothers (in 2021), it just kept flowing. 6 yrs, 8 releases later, i end with a choon with Mr Paul Weller.’

Bless up Weir, Bless up x

Rising Sun can be purchased here