User:Nicholas S Romillie/sandbox/Nicholas S Romillie aka Colonel Red

Nicholas S Romillie aka Colonel Red

Nicholas Simon Romillie aka Colonel Red (Redz),born 17th of April 1962 in Birmingham,England,is an English singer,songwriter. Second eldest of four sons, to English mother Gwendoline Florence Romillie and Jamaican father Nicholas Romillie Sr. COLONEL RED’s foray into the music industry began when Epic Record company giant Sylvia Rhone signed the then lead singer, Nikki Romillie, of Pride n’ Politix, to Atlantic Records. An accompanying publishing deal with Warner Bros. established the artiste, now known as Colonel Red, as one of the UK’s top cutting edge singer/songwriters. His first ever recording experience was in Londons 'Addis Ababa' studio,Harrow Road, original home of Soul 2 Soul. This turned out to be his first ever vinyl release, a single called 'Feel The Changes' produced by Cliff Whyte, who like Redz, was originally from Birmingham, and had traveled down to London with the brief success of Mark Rodgers & Hollywood Beyond, as their chief engineer in the eighties. This recording caught the interest of A&R man Darcus Beese, who at that time was a junior A&R with Island records. Now President of Island records and the man responsible for signing Amy Winehouse & Sugar Babes! Darcus invited Redz to come and record in Island’s famous Green Room Studios, where artists such as Bob Marley, Grace Jones and U2 all recorded their early albums. Once the demo was complete Darcus then took Redz on a record company tour that took him from Island to Big Life Records, Jazz Summers label & home label to 'The Only Way Is Up' singer Yazz! The relationship between Darcus and Redz would eventually lead to teaming him up with top writer/producer Robin Smith (Heatwave & Mike Oldfield) that would form soul fusion pop group 'Pride n Politix'. After spending some time in Robin’s Maida Vale Studio, Redz, together with his brother Carl Rom {sax playa & multi-instrumentalist} developed the quality crafted 'Changes' album. Robin on his way to Australia to work with top New Zealand singing artist Margaret Urlich, took the ‘Changes’ album with him, and at Robins very 1st meeting he managed to blow away Sylvia Rhone & Merlin Bobb at Atlantic/East West record. Sylvia Rhone who was the mastermind behind the success of 'En Vogue' & 'Simply Red' at that time was also slowly becoming the most powerful woman in the music industry. Working her way up from receptionist at Atlantic to MD, was a sure sign she was not stopping there. Now Pride n' Politix were not only signing a dream deal, but we were signed by the Boss herself! which meant great things may well be in store.