Dancing Lotus: Million Stars

Ever since an Irish singer-songwriter decided to turn to political activism and raise money for dying Africans by writing a song with some failing 80s pop stars, charity singles (at best) have been a mixed blessing.

Sure they’re written and released in the name of a worthy cause, but more often that not, this intentionally masks the absence of any musical credibility. What’s the point of putting effort into writing a piece of music with actual artistic merit when the public are going to buy it to appease their own peace of mind anyway? Take the two appalling Band Aid efforts, for example, or the Children In Need monstrosities that are released every year.

Like I said though, they are a mixed blessing. While the majority are regurgitated covers fronted by the latest pop phenomenon of the time, selfishly designed to further their own exposure on the mainstream airwaves, every now and again, you’ll come across something which actually has some consideration and intelligence behind it.

Cue Lincoln’s own Dancing Lotus, who have teamed up with the University of Lincoln’s Afro-Carribbean Society on a single, Million Stars, to help raise awareness for the AIDS pandemic and surrounding charities.

The bare bones of the track are exposed early on, being driven principally by a funk-enthused acoustic guitar, layered underneath a ghostly electric guitar, gently weeping out a lead riff over the top. Following a strong and prominent lead vocal from singer Jack Shaw, things begin to evolve showing a breadth of imagination Geldof could never quite capture.

The additional vocals have a distinctly authentic African flavour, coming partly from a choir of singers made up of the Afro-Carribbean Society members, repeating the haunting million stars refrain. Meanwhile, MCs exchange urban couplets in their native tongues, while strings begin to rise from below, adding an air of delicacy to the proceedings.

There’s a lot of different styles enthused here, but Dancing Lotus skillfully pull it off without it being a case of too many cooks. Refreshingly, they’ve managed to create something considered charity, whilst avoiding any self-indulgence, and for that alone, they deserve applause.

To listen to the track and others from the Dancing Lotus group, visit www.myspace.com/dancinglotusmusic