Formed by ex-members of modern jazz ensemble
Blue Rondo À La Turk in 1983, Matt Bianco evolved into one of England’s top jazz-pop bands. Their rendition of
Georgie Fame’s
Yeh Yeh received a European music award as Best Single of 1985, while their single
Wap Bam Boogie was the number one European club track of 1988. Matt Bianco has withstood numerous personnel changes. Initially featuring keyboard player
Danny White, bassist
Kito Poncioni, and vocalists Mark Reilly and Basia, the original group disbanded shortly after releasing their debut album in 1984. The group was resurrected with Reilly and keyboard player Mark Fisher, who recorded the eponymous 1986 album. Released in 2001, Rico, featured a blend of acid jazz and traditional Cuban rhythms. Partly recorded in the Havana Studios where Wim Wenders and Ry Cooder recorded Buena Vista Social Club, the album included
Cha Cha Cuba, which reached the top of the charts in Japan.