FAITHLESS

17 days was all it took. 17 days to make one of the most eclectic, spectacularly unusual and internationally successful albums of the decade. But, what do you expect when you put together: a writer/producer/remixer who has an honors degree in philosophy, a classically trained, fierce-pumping house-DJ/remixer, a spiritually enlightened folk/world music lover, and an ex-pirate radio station Buddhist hip-hop rapper (with an all-consuming love for Ford Escort MK2 RS 2000's)?

Meet FAITHLESS. . . FAITHLESS met around one central figure, ROLLO, a young man who made his mark with the first track he ever laid his hands on -"Don't You Want Me" by FELIX (which sold over 2.5 million copies). Shortly after the success of "Don't You Want Me", Rollo began producing hit after hit. Notable Rollo's productions were the "Rollo Goes. . ." series, KRISTINE W.'s album, GLOWORM, and distinctive remixes for BJORK, THE PET SHOP BOYS, SIMPLY RED, DONNA SUMMER, M-PEOPLE, GABRIELLE, LIVIN' JOY. . . the list goes on. Rollo is headstrong, opinionated, generous, and commited to believing in himself- his music is a product of that commitment.

SISTER BLISS and Rollo had already been working together for a few years and developed a very special working relationship: the famed Rollo and Sister Bliss team. Sister Bliss had started her musical career as a pianist at the age of 5. In her own naturally progressive way she moved on to the violin, saxophone, and bass - she's a veritable one-woman band. In 1987, her fire for House Music was ignited when she hit the DJ decks all over the UK. From the UK she launched an International career and never looked back. Sister Bliss has produced her own successful material: Sister Bliss' "Life's A Bitch" and "Badman"- an innovative song in which she fused pumping sonic beats with gruff blues vocals. In the notoriously male-dominated DJ arena, Sister Bliss is presently known as one of the hardest and most-often working DJ/Producers in the UK. In discussing her work with Rollo, Sister Bliss says, "I've worked with him for so long that I know exactly what he's looking for at any given moment. It's almost a telepathic understanding."

JAMIE CATTO crossed paths with Rollo next. Jamie had been touring around the world for five years with the collective "The Big Truth Band". Upon meeting Rollo, Jamie instinctively knew how to work with him. Before inviting Jamie into the creative fold, Rollo challenged Jamie to write a song about "a bloke who says 'give me 24 hours with any woman and I'll make them love me'". Jamie sat at the piano for a few hours working away and came back with a song that was, as Rollo put it, "Such an acute musical observation, it was incredible." One final piece was needed to complete the eclectic puzzle that would become FAITHLESS.

MAXI JAZZ embarked on a journey to the cutting edge of his field in 1984 when he became DJ for "The Soul Cafe Sound System". His heady blend of Hip Hop extended into pirate radio station-land (LWR) as "The Soul Cafe Show" which aided and abetted Maxi's rise to notoriety. Not content with playing other people's music, Maxi Jazz moved into the live arena with his band, "The Soul Food Cafe Band". He released several critically acclaimed E.P.'s. The strength of these recordings lead to prestigious stints with JAMIROQUAI, SOUL II SOUL, JAH WOBBLE, GALLIANO, and JAON REBELLO. Maxi's timely meeting with Rollo led to enlightening conversations about Nicheren Shoshu Buddhism, and its influence on Maxi's life and music. These collaborative talks spawned intense and challenging lyrics dipped in the dark hue of Maxi's life and rediscovered in the music of FAITHLESS.

The elements combined and FAITHLESS was created.