Kick Horns

Horns, arrangers, brass, saxes

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48 Reviews (47 Verified)
Kick Horns on SoundBetter

Kick Horns are a UK horn section with our own studio in SE London, The Tall Place. We have played on over fifty top 10 albums and over fifty top 20 singles.

Credits include Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Beyonce, Blur, The Who, Dr John, Baaba Maal and Stereo MCs. Members include Simon Clarke and Tim Sanders, who write the arrangements. We’ve recorded horns at The Tall Place for hits including Sax (Fleur East), Changing (Sigma featuring Paloma Faith), If I Go (Ella Eyre), Never Been Better (Olly Murs), Salute (Little Mix). We offer a complete package: arrangements, musicians, studio. A three-piece section will cost $950, four-piece $1200, 5-piece $1400. We can also offer prices for solos, and for both smaller and larger ensembles. And we’ll always try to work something out for an interesting project on a limited budget. (See the interview below for more about the way we work.)

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Credits

AllMusic verified credits for The Kick Horns
  • Dodgy
  • Dodgy
  • Little Mix
  • Little Mix
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Menswear
  • Supergrass
  • Supergrass
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • L2M
  • Eric Clapton
  • Fleur East
  • Suede
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Olly Murs
  • Pixie Lott
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Hard-Fi
  • James Arthur
  • Gabrielle
  • Little Mix
  • Blur
  • Little Mix
  • Supergrass
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Deacon Blue
  • Kula Shaker
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • DeNniS
  • David Gray
  • Suede
  • The Magic Numbers
  • Christie Hennessy
  • Marc Moulin
  • Oumou Sangaré
  • Rod Stewart
  • Michael McDonald
  • David Gilmour
  • Masayuki Suzuki
  • Michael McDonald
  • Michael McDonald
  • Michael McDonald
  • Michael McDonald
  • David Gray
  • David Gray
  • Art Brut
  • Art Brut
  • Art Brut
  • Hard-Fi
  • Hard-Fi
  • David Ford
  • Groove Armada
  • Victoria Hart
  • Victoria Hart
  • Alesha Dixon
  • Sugababes
  • a-ha
  • Jamelia
  • Jamelia
  • Westernhagen
  • Eric Clapton
  • Eric Clapton
  • Eric Clapton
  • David Gray
  • Darius
  • Darius
  • Darius
  • Dave Stewart
  • Mick Jagger
  • The Beautiful South
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Supergrass
  • S Club 7
  • S Club 7
  • S Club 7
  • Jamiroquai
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Hooverphonic
  • Hooverphonic
  • Pretenders
  • Echobelly
  • Stereo MC's
  • Stereo MC's
  • Gabrielle
  • Deacon Blue
  • Carole Fredericks
  • Jean-Jacques Goldman
  • Jacknife Lee
  • Geri Halliwell
  • Geri Halliwell
  • Geri Halliwell
  • Faudel
  • Rachid Taha
  • Khaled
  • S Club 7
  • S Club 7
  • Deep Purple
  • London Symphony Orchestra
  • Khaled
  • Khaled
  • Khaled
  • Toploader
  • Toploader
  • The Animalhouse
  • The Animalhouse
  • Pocket Size
  • Pocket Size
  • Pocket Size
  • S Club 7
  • Ace of Base
  • Jamiroquai
  • Princess Erika
  • Groove Armada
  • Dr. John
  • Midget
  • Midget
  • Eric Clapton
  • The Beautiful South
  • The Dandys
  • The Dandys
  • Maryam Mursal
  • Supergrass
  • Sleeper
  • Spice Girls
  • Stiff Little Fingers
  • Kula Shaker
  • Right Said Fred
  • Right Said Fred
  • Suede
  • Fito Páez
  • Jimmy Somerville
  • Jimmy Somerville
  • Papa Wemba
  • Gregory Gray
  • Gregory Gray
  • The Pogues
  • The Soup Dragons
  • Jay Owens
  • Jay Owens
  • Suede
  • Suede
  • Suede
  • Menswear
  • Menswear
  • Blur
  • Blur
  • Galliano
  • Galliano
  • Ride
  • Helloween
  • Eric Clapton
  • Eric Clapton
  • Eric Clapton
  • The Levellers
  • Blur
  • Blur
  • Blur
  • Suede
  • Suede
  • The Verve
  • Horse
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Blur
  • Blur
  • Not Drowning, Waving
  • Pete Townshend
  • Tony Martin
  • Stereo MC's
  • Sarah Jane Morris
  • Sarah Jane Morris
  • Cathy Dennis
  • Jeff Wayne
  • Chris Rea
  • Chris Rea
  • Mort Shuman
  • Mort Shuman
  • Deacon Blue
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Jean-Jacques Goldman
  • Paul Young
  • Paul Young
  • Alison Moyet
  • Thee Hypnotics
  • Thee Hypnotics
  • Thee Hypnotics
  • Thee Hypnotics
  • Beverley Craven
  • Carmel
  • Howard Jones
  • Howard Jones
  • Terence Trent D'Arby
  • Jimmy Somerville
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Frazier Chorus
  • Frazier Chorus
  • Fish
  • Voice of the Beehive
  • a-ha
  • a-ha
  • James
  • Erasure
  • The Communards
  • The Communards
  • Limited Warranty
  • China Crisis
  • Alexei Sayle
  • Pete Townshend
  • Pete Townshend
  • Pete Townshend
  • David Gilmour
  • David Gilmour
  • David Gilmour
  • John Parr
  • Dead or Alive
  • The Levellers
  • Supergrass
  • Supergrass

48 Reviews - 7 Repeat Clients

Endorse Kick Horns
  1. Review by Peter H.
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    Kick Horns kicked things into high gear on our latest collaboration! Fast, organized and talented with great communication. This ensemble is an absolute pleasure to work with. I highly recommend them! I'll definitely continue to work with them. Thank you Tim and Simon!

  2. Review by Tom B.
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    by Tom B.
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    Tim was amazing to work with. Very available to chat and he really understood exactly what the horns are that I was going for. I'd absolutely recommend him.
    Very Fast! Has good instincts. Super feedback, great energy and great communication.

  3. Review by Shawn F.
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    Kick are the real deal! What an honour working with these guys. It was so easy to collaborate with them and the final result is just amazing. They made my tracks come to life and I can't thank them enough. I will (hopefully) be working with them again soon.

  4. Review by The Rideouts
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    Once again: "signed, sealed, delivered" in no time and without changes because the arrangement was perfect right away, exactly what I had in mind. Always a pleasure working with these guys.

  5. Review by The R.
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    by The R.
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    Tim and Simon delivered exactly what I was looking for. I would definitely recommend Kick Horns to anyone who needs a great horns section. Their career is a guarantee of excellent work.

  6. Review by Peter H.
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    An absolute pleasure to work with. They killed it! We couldn't be happier with the performance and their professionalism. Thank you Kick Horns!!

  7. Review by Kevin F.
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    It was an absolute thrill to work with such a professional, from the arrangement to the final product, the communications and the horns - did I mention the horns?? Just an outstanding experience all around!

  8. Review by Jack O.
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    Tim is an incredibly talented musician and arranger, his ear for serving the composition is immaculate. After our first collaboration, I knew that in working with horns I couldn't go to anyone else. I felt I was in very goods hands, even when it came to my odd requests. Our correspondence was lovely, and his communication was clear, friendly and very professional. I very much look forward to working with him again :)

  9. Review by Tim Gales
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    Working with Kick Horns was great! I was concerned how I might get live horns on my track, but Tim & Simon at Kick Horns made it work seamlessly by creating midi tracks first and then booking a live session where I participated through Soundbetter’s posting during the session. I got everting I needed to make my song shine. Definitely will work with them again.

  10. Review by Jeff T.
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    Tim did some saxophone work for us on an upcoming release. What a pro! Great communication, fast turnaround, and absolutely killer parts. Would work with him a again in a heartbeat!

  11. Review by Andrew S.
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    Tim & Simon are excellent musicians, and responded to all questions or concerns promptly. They provided detailed feedback on the charts provided to them and suggested revisions. Tracks were recorded in high quality with excellent room characteristics, and for the instruments that they don't personally play, they handled hiring additional session musicians and bringing them into their recording space to ensure a consistent tone. I would absolutely work with them again in the future!

  12. Review by Carol G.
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    Tim and Simon are so easy to work with and give you exactly what you're looking for. I would definitely recommend Kick Horns to anyone who needs a great accompaniment to their music. As a matter of fact, my producer has just added them to his arsenal to recommend for his other clients.

  13. Review by Scott B.
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    As always, it's an honor to have Kick Horns play on my songs. They are so talented and extremely professional - it's such a pleasure!

  14. Review by Peter B.
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    What an incredible experience, these guys are the best. They took a seed of a horn section I played, and arranged it into a masterpiece! The final performance was fantastic and exceeded my expectations in every way. Highly recommened Tim and the guys! Thanks

  15. Review by Christian M.
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    I first thought my song was complete with beat and vocals, but something was missing in a section near the end. My producer recommended to add a sax solo from Tim / Kick Horns. I gave it a try and now I am so happy that I did. Tim did a great job, his solo definitely puts my song to another level. It was a pleasure to work with him. Tim is professional, fast and friendly. Communication was easy. Thanks again, Tim. Hope we can do further projects in future. Highly recommended!

  16. Review by kevin w.
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    AAAAA+ Great job of adding soprano sax to my track. I look forward to working with Kick Horns in the future.

  17. Review by Zach B.
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    YUP these guys are the real deal. The horns section Tim arranged and performed added a whole new layer to my song. I am stoked with the outcome!!

    Hope to work together again soon

  18. Review by Christopher V.
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    Tim & Simon were great to work with. I found them to be both personable and straightforward with their communication. The process was clearly explained and the project completed on time.
    Musically, they nailed the arrangement and made the horns complement the song. I highly recommend them and will use them again.

  19. Review by David G.
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    Very good at what he does! Awesome communication and knowledgeable. Would to work with him again

  20. Review by Vladimir V.
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    Had a great pleasure and fun working with Kick Horns: they are inspiring professionals who amazed me with their highly positive attitude, speed and, obviously, artistic and performing skills.
    Simon and Tim, thanks for your help making my song better!!!

Interview with Kick Horns

  1. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  2. A: We started out individually playing with whatever bands would have us, for whatever money was on offer. Everything else came from the people we met and the things that we learned in those early days. The name Kick Horns was coined in 1983, around the time trumpeter Roddy Lorimer worked on early sessions for Wham! (Club Tropicana) and the Waterboys. Many other sessions and gigs came from that work and by 1984 the Kick Horns were picking up a solid reputation. We worked on David Gilmour’s 1984 solo album About Face, and with Walter Becker on Flaunt the Imperfection by China Crisis. In 1985 Pete Townshend brought us in to play on the White City album and for shows with Deep End (featuring David Gilmour, Simon Phillips and John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick) at Brixton Academy. From all this, mostly by word of mouth, came other high profile work: The Who’s 1989 25th Anniversary tour, Steel Wheels with The Rolling Stones, sessions for Chris Rea, Primal Scream, the Stereo MCs, many pop acts great and small. Then in 1993 we got the call to join Eric Clapton’s band for his blues-only concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, and somehow stayed in that band for the next few years. Then there was Brit Pop – Blur, Dodgy, Suede and all – then there was Spiritualized and the Spice Girls, Baaba Maal and Dr John: it all just keeps going…

  3. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  4. A: The people matter more than the equipment

  5. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  6. A: The Tall Place is a two-storey open-plan space with maple floor, high ceiling and natural light. The acoustic is warm and live, but well controlled. Equipment includes Neumann U87 mics and API preamps. More info and pictures at www.thetallplace.co.uk

  7. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  8. A: Be as clear as you can about what you would like to hear and then trust us.

  9. Q: What's your typical work process?

  10. A: Where possible, we try to arrange the session at a time when the artist or producer can attend. That way it’s easy to make choices about details – phrasing, note-lengths etc – on the spot. Sometimes too new ideas can crop up and be explored. We like that collaborative process. But often that’s not possible, so we try at least to have a briefing conversation with the client in advance, preferably face to face, by phone or email if necessary. We get as clear a picture as we can of what’s needed, the job the horns should do, any reference points or existing ideas the client may have. Then we agree the budget and the line-up and start work on the arrangements. In the studio, we record the three, four or more players as a section, each instrument with its own mic, together with a stereo pair of room mics, then add any overdubs that may be needed. If the artist/producer is at the session, they can simply take the audio files away on a hard drive. Or we can do all the necessary comping ourselves and then send the audio files via WeTransfer or similar. We usually send individual audio files of each instrument; plus two stereo pairs of a balance that sounds good to us, one with and one without the room; plus a stereo pair of just the room. No compression, eq or reverb on anything. We also send a rough mix of the whole song with the horns mixed loud for reference.

  11. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  12. A: We help the song work as a whole by playing only what’s needed. We spend a lot of time working at the arrangements, often crossing out quite cute ideas because they’re distracting, making sure everything serves the dynamics and structure of the song as a whole. The point is always ‘what a great song’, not ‘what great horns’.

  13. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  14. A: We will work as hard for your music as you do.

  15. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  16. A: Eric Clapton’s From the Cradle was recorded entirely live with no overdubs: Jim Keltner (drums), Dave Bronze (bass), Andy Fairweather Low (guitar), Chris Stainton (piano), Jerry Portnoy (harmonica), Eric and the Kick Horns all playing together in the same room. Every day we’d go into Olympic Studios, play two or three takes of any song we hadn’t yet nailed, have some lunch, then play some more. One time, Eric wanted to record Sinner’s Prayer. We listened to the original Ray Charles version in the control room, made a few notes, went into the live room and played the song twice. Take two went on to the album: from empty tape to complete performance in about half an hour.

  17. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  18. A: Jay Stapley, Simon Edwards

  19. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  20. A: Memphis Horns, Tower of Power Horns, Seawind Horns, Little Feat, Dr John, Ray Charles, Steely Dan, Quincy Jones

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Sweet Home New Orleans by Dr John

I was the horn section and arranger in this production


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    Sweet Home New Orleans by Dr John
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    Never Been Better by Olly Murs
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    Greenlight by Beyonce
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    One Track Mind by Eric Clapton
GenresSounds Like
  • Eric Clapton
  • Dr. John
  • Baaba Maal
Gear Highlights
  • Neumann U87s
  • AEA R88
  • AEA R84
  • Coles 4038s
  • API preamps
More Photos