Onka's Big Moka by Toploader - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

With its keyboard-driven, funk-tinged anthems, Toploader's first album references in equal measures of the honky-tonk of the Rolling Stones and the Faces, the soul of early Elton John, and the infectious funk of Stevie Wonder in the '70s. In fact, the entire album sounds as though it could have been recorded in that decade, and that's not a bad thing. Joseph Washbourne's keyboards take center stage throughout the album, while his gravelly vocals, by turns joyful and melancholy, are well-suited to the band's brand of dance-oriented rock. The rhythm section establishes a solid groove, the guitars wail and soar, and the keyboards act as the guide and foundation. "Let the People Know," an exceptionally catchy dance track in the style of Jamiroquai, features a string section on loan from the Bee Gees; "Achilles Heel" rolls along tunefully, the intensity building until the song ends in a chaotic wall of noise. "Dancing in the Moonlight" is another album standout, a laid-back party anthem that could have been recorded by Rod Stewart when he still had a rooster-cut. All in all, Onka's Big Monka is a supremely enjoyable record, an album that evokes some of the best musical trends of the 1970s and blends them all together admirably. [The U.S. version adds a bonus track.] ~ Brandon Gentry

1. Let the People Know

Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Arranger: Sally Herbert; Composer
Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Brett Findlay
Rob Green; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: Dave Eringa; Production

2. Dancing in the Moonlight

Composer: Sherman Kelly; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Lyricist: Sherman Kelly; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Engineer: Alan Douglas; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Rob Green; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Greg Fidelman
Dave Shiffman; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: George Drakoulias; Production

3. Achilles Heel

Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Arranger: Sally Herbert; Composer
Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Brett Findlay
Rob Green; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: Dave Eringa; Production

4. Breathe

Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Arranger: Sally Herbert; Composer
Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Brett Findlay
Rob Green; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: Dave Eringa; Production

5. Do You Know What Your Future Will Be?**

Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Arranger: Sally Herbert; Composer
Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Brett Findlay
Rob Green; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: Dave Eringa; Production

6. Only for a While** (George Drakoulias Album Version)

Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Arranger: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Rob Green
Brett Findlay; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Jim Scott; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: George Drakoulias; Production

7. Just Hold On

Lyricist: Dave Smith
Tim Woodcock
Mike Terry
Richard Smith; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Arranger: Sally Herbert; Composer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Drums: Tommy D
Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Rob Green
Brett Findlay; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Composer: Mike Terry
Tim Woodcock
Dave Smith
Richard Smith; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Tommy D; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: Dave Eringa
Tommy D; Production

8. Higher State

Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Arranger: Sally Herbert; Composer
Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Engineer: Alan Douglas; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Brett Findlay
Rob Green; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Greg Fidelman
Dave Shiffman; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: George Drakoulias; Production

9. High Flying Bird

Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Arranger: Sally Herbert; Composer
Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Brett Findlay
Rob Green; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: Dave Eringa; Production

10. Summer Cycle**

Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Arranger: Sally Herbert; Composer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Enigma Ensemble
Toploader; Performer
Conductor: Ben Foster; Conductor
Engineer: Richard Lowe
Dave Eringa
Edwin Cox; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Rob Green
Brett Findlay; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Orchestration: Michael Rose
Nicholas Foster; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: Dave Eringa; Production

11. Just About Living**

Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Rob Green
Brett Findlay; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: Dave Eringa; Production

12. Floating Away ( In A Bath Tub)**

Composer: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Matt Knight; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Background Vocals: Julian Deane; Performer
Bass Guitar: Matt Knight; Performer
Brass: Kick Horns; Performer
Lyricist: Joseph Washbourn; Composer
Drums: Rob Green; Performer
Guitar: Julian Deane; Performer
Performer: Joseph Washbourn
Toploader; Performer
Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Baritone Guitar: Daniel Hepgrave; Performer
Organ: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Percussion: Rob Green
Brett Findlay; Performer
Piano: Joseph Washbourn; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Eringa; Production
Primary Artist: Toploader; Main Performer
Producer: Dave Eringa; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

48 minutes and 6 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 600x600 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

8/12 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, British Invasion, Alternative, Britpop, Brit Rock

Label

Sony Soho Square

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Jul 10, 2000

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

5099750202128