All star prog tributes are hardly a new phenomenon. Robert Berry and Yes man Billy Sherwood have been contributing to such releases since the 90s and it’s often resulted in records made with love. Occasionally, they’ve included a few tracks that’ve become essential collection fillers. There’s a Pink Floyd tribute from the 90s called ‘The Moon Revisited’ that brings together a host of famous faces recreating the monolithic ‘Dark Side of The Moon’ from start to finish. Naturally, the record isn’t as good as the original – nobody ever claimed it would be – but a run of tracks during the second half make it a keeper. World Trade’s take on the instrumental ‘Any Colour You Like’ and Robert Berry’s ‘Brain Damage’, especially, showcase veteran talents able to turn their hands to almost anything with ease.
DR CHRIS & THE REDEEMERS – Stone Cold Redemption
When a band places a bottle of Makers Mark rather prominently in one of their earliest promotional photos and advertises themselves as a blues band, chances are, you’ll get no big surprises when it comes to the kind of sounds they make. For Dr Chris & The Redeemers, the big twist comes from their location. This band comes well versed in the Texas blues, but deliver their rootsy grooves and Stevie Ray Vaughan inflected riffs straight from the heart of Adelaide. In terms of all round authenticity, though, they hit everything absolutely square on. Their debut album is a great release which doesn’t so much present itself like the sound of 2021, but a brilliant throwback to 1990.
Watch: Flickertail cover David Bowie classic in new video clip
Formerly The Bitter Sweethearts, the Aussie/Irish rock band Flickertail first appeared under their rebranded moniker in 2018. Their debut EP, ‘Hurry Up & Wait’ was loaded with classic rock riffs and very strong vocal performances, promising even bigger things to come.
SCATTERED HAMLET – Stereo Overthrow
Formed in 2010, Scattered Hamlet are a band who combine the old style southern rock riffs heaviness of stoner, and more than occasionally, are keen to attack with the force of Motorhead’s hard edged, mid-tempo tracks. Wavering between elements of Black Label Society and no nonsense rock ‘n’ roll, whilst often sounding like they could drop into ‘Killed By Death’ at any moment, you could certainly say that, in terms of a hard driving outfit, they’ve got most bases covered.
Astro (1957-2021)
For those not old enough to experience Bob Marley in his prime, UB40 provided a very important introduction into contemporary reggae music. Their earliest material, powered by massive basslines and even bigger social/political messages really got to the heart of early 80s Britain. Their first ten years, in particular, presented the work of a band that seemed almost infallible. They could shift from political anger, into 70s influenced dub, through to a deftly played cover tune without missing a beat. Their show from the Hammersmith Odeon in 1983 – still denied a DVD release – is a near perfect example of the early UB’s in full flight.