Bentley Rhythm Ace (BRA) is a duo formed in Birmingham, England in the late 1990s consisting of Mike Stokes and Richard March.

Career

The band were formed by former members of the group Pop Will Eat Itself, with guest appearances by James Atkin, a member of indie band EMF. Their live drummer was Fuzz Townshend, with whom March previously played in Pop Will Eat Itself.

Their epnonymous debut album, Bentley Rhythm Ace was released in 1997, and spawned the popular single "Bentley's Gonna Sort You Out". A second album, For Your Ears Only, was released in 2000 but was less popular. A further single "Madam, Your Carriage Awaits" was released. The group also compiled a two CD FSUK compilation album.

The name likely refers to the Rhythm Ace line of analogue drum machines manufactured by Ace Tone, some of which were rebranded and distributed by Bentley Pianos in the UK.

The group epitomises the Big Beat era. Signed to Skint Records, they have enjoyed much commercial success with their music being used on television advertisements and with an enormous underground following.

The group have all but split, playing the occasional low-key DJ set, but have released no further material since 2000.

Band members

• Richard March (born 4 March 1965, in York, England) - bassist
• Mike Stokes - keyboardist

Trivia

• The album track "T-Spot" was used in a commercial for Nik Naks.

• The song "Bentley's Gonna Sort You Out!" was used in a commmercial for L'Oreal Shampoo.

• The song "Bentley's Gonna Sort You Out!" is used by CBC Radio as the opening theme for the Saturday afternoon show Definitely Not The Opera (radio program).

External links

• Smashing Press (record label) BRA page with news, bulletin board and links.
• Midlander fan site.
• Coda BRA's booking agents.