Review by Bill Buckley www.soulandjazzandfunk.com 18/8/2014

Review by Bill Buckley www.soulandjazzandfunk.com 18/8/2014

QUEEN DEE AND THE HORNETS are the newest band on the London soul and funks scene. The nine piece are fronted by big-voiced Denise Gillies and they've just released their debut EP –a four tracker under the collective title 'Headturner'.The music on t… — QUEEN DEE AND THE HORNETS are the newest band on the London soul and funks scene. The nine piece are fronted by big-voiced Denise Gillies and they've just released their debut EP –a four tracker under the collective title 'Headturner'.
The music on the mini album is raw tough and basic with the rumbling 'You Just Fooled Me' standing out. This one has a hint of 'Masterblaster' Stevie Wonder about it, while the flavour on 'Move It Shake It' is almost Caribbean. The skanking is much pronounced on 'I Found Him' though there's still that tough funk edge to the cut. The set's completed with a stark, bluesy 'Headturner' on which Dee's vocal is complemented by some writhing brass riffing.
**Throughout, the band are tight and soulful - no wonder they've played with people like Gregory Porter, Pee Wee Ellis and someone called Olly Murs!**

EP Title track "Headturner" review by MusicNews.com 16/6/2014

London’s Queen Dee & The Hornets are bringing funk back to town. Back on the scene with their new single "Headturner”, you can expect some toe tapping and hip busting melodies coming from this soul band’s future EP.

"Headturner" is a smooth and sophisticated track making funk sound fresh. With its contemporary vibe and grown up feel, this is a very classy track. Lead singer Denise Gillies has that raspy, thunderous and layered old skool soul vocal, think Sharon Jones or Aretha Franklin with a modern Paloma Faith twist. This group has an impressive resume with band members working with the likes of DJ Fresh, Gregory Porter and Incognito just to name a few. Together, they are slick and relaxed, giving them a chilled out and fun taste to their sound.

Catch this band live next time they’re playing because it’s impossible not to come out tapping your feet. Forget the indie shuffle, this is funk and no one is immune to its rhythmic beats and happy vibe. There is definitely a place for funk especially with musicians like Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings coming back onto the music scene stronger than ever. Queen Dee & The Hornets EP will be out in July - just in time for your soundtrack to the summer.

MusicNews.com 18/7/2012

Combining some of London's top session players, big band leaders, festival headliners, producers and up and coming artists, Queen Dee & The Hornets were formed under the urge of bringing Soul with a capital S back into music. Formed around … — Combining some of London's top session players, big band leaders, festival headliners, producers and up and coming artists, Queen Dee & The Hornets were formed under the urge of bringing Soul with a capital S back into music.

Formed around the raspy-raw and soulful singer Dee, her band from the London urban jungle and surroundings includes some of London's finest that have worked with the likes of Lily Allen, Muse, The Streets, DJ Fresh, Roisin Murphy, Professor Green, The Gorillaz, Jocelyn Brown,The Fontanas and Scubaroots to name but a few.

Dee is a big personality and it was only a matter of time for her to branch out in her own right. This is no diva but a woman with vocal credentials that would make any singing wanabee beg for her husky voice. This soulful funk band is in the throws of writing material for a release early next year. The engine behind the voice is Frank; he is the technical nouse and brainchild behind the lyrics. Modest and quiet, the two complement each other well.