Hey --

The band and me were at the ICA in London for an iTunes gig on Saturday. (They're doing a different show each day for the whole of July.) It was good getting to do a more intimate gig for a change -- particularly in London. Ghosts were supporting -- didn't get a chance to go out and watch because I had a couple of interviews while they were on, but they supported us the last time we were playing in London at Brixton Academy a couple of months ago -- all nice guys.

Paul Weller even showed up with his daughter to watch some of our set which was pretty cool. He had to leave early because he was DJing at Madame JoJo's in Soho, but he invited us 'round after the show. A couple of us headed down when we were done at the gig to check it out, and it turns out that he's a great DJ on top of everything else. It was a great night but the girlfriend and I ended up wandering the streets of London to all hours after losing our hotel!

Later on in the week, we headed down to Montreux in Switzerland to play the Jazz Festival. I played there last year as well, and to this day, it is one of the best things that I've been involved in. I got to sing on stage with Ben E King -- man, it was amazing! I was expecting the usual normal set this year when we got the opportunity to play with Solomon Burke's trumpet player on "I Wanna Be Like You," and Claud Nobs himself on "Funky Cigarette." Claud is the founder of the festival and an absolute legend! He had invited me, my family, and the band to a party at his house the previous day, which is unbelievable -- he's got the biggest record collection I've ever seen. He's got more stuff in there than some music museums!

After the show, I just had to head back to the hotel because I was flying home at 5 a.m. the next day for my friend's wedding...bit of a sore one, but wasn't too bothered. At least I got a night at home to catch up with everybody, and the wedding was brilliant.

-- Paolo