Simply Red - Angel - Aretha Franklin Cover ft. The Fugees

What this video is

Released October 28, 1996 on EastWest Records as the sole new single from Simply Red's Greatest Hits compilation, 'Angel' is a cover of Aretha Franklin's 1973 Atlantic soul classic (co-written by Franklin's sister Carolyn Franklin and Sonny Sanders, originally co-produced with Quincy Jones). Simply Red's version was co-produced by Jerry Duplessis and Pras Michel of the Fugees for Refugee Camp Entertainment, placing…

Why it matters

A landmark transatlantic soul-meets-hip-hop crossover, 'Angel' demonstrates the mid-90s trend of British soul artists absorbing New York hip-hop production sensibilities. Produced under the Refugee Camp Entertainment banner by Duplessis and Pras, the track recontextualises a 1973 R&B classic…

The director

Scottish director born in Glasgow; graduated from St. Martin's School of Art, London with a BA Honours in Fine Art Film. Directed approximately 30 low-budget UK music videos before relocating to Los Angeles, where he signed with Ridley Scott Associates and…