Relish

Formed in the mid-90s in County Down, Northern Ireland, the band Relish originated with brothers Ken Papenfus (born 26 July 1970 in Swaziland, handling vocals and guitar) and Carl Papenfus (born 2 May 1974 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on vocals and drums) alongside Darren Campbell (born 2 November 1972 in Kilkeel, County Down, Northern Ireland, providing vocals and bass). The Papenfus siblings emerged from a mixed South African marriage, their mother having built a career as a solo jazz performer in South Africa after signing with EMI Records in the early 70s. Developed during the peak of Britpop, the group stood apart from prevailing Irish rock acts through their pronounced funk and soul leanings, which initially rendered them unfashionable in industry circles. After hosting auditions in the Papenfus family living room for a succession of perplexed A&R executives from various labels, they secured a deal with EMI Ireland in 1998. Working with producer John Leckie across two years, they shaped their debut album Wildflowers, whose lead singles “Let It Fly” and “Rainbow Zephyr” showcased overt soul and gospel elements delivered in a gentle register yet underpinned by a distinct rock drive. Drawing on their disparate social and political upbringings, the members crafted lyrics with measured sensitivity, embedding socialistic themes in a restrained, moderately left-of-centre manner. Relish became one of the earliest Irish rock outfits since Thin Lizzy to combine strong vocal delivery with a frontman whose visual presence matched his performance.