This visit to the Singles Bar brings some great music, ranging from a 90s influenced alternative pop tune, to a strange slice of prog that sounds like it should score a folk horror film, to a brilliant soul tune with a timeless quality and even a hard electronica number that marks the pinnacle of work from cult act. You’ll find a couple of names making their return to the SB this time around, but the selections are anything but predictable! As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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In 2022, Myriad Things released two very strong but very different singles. ‘Let It Come Down’ set up an immediate groove, working a funk infused rhythm and bluesy guitar tone. With a heavier riff punctuating the verses, it was a track that was absolutely loaded with swagger. A couple of months later ‘10,000 Years Away’ presented their more melodic side, with a number that introduced a little prog/post rock guitar work which, combined with a wall of funky bass lines and soaring vocals suggested this was a band who could also feel very comfortable working with something a little more atmospheric. Having set themselves up a band to watch out for in the near future, they then didn’t actually release any more new material for three years.
It’s approximately 8:45 on a Saturday night in Ramsgate. A crowd are gathered outside of the Music Hall, and in the venue’s lobby area, various people are milling around in a frighteningly compact space. Even before getting to the gig area, there’s a feeling that this is one of the Music Hall’s busiest nights.
Everyone’s out to see The Utopia Strong – a trio made up of Kavus Torabi (Knifeworld/Gong/Cardiacs), Michael York (Current 93) and 80s snooker legend Steve Davis – who’ve just released a new album. ‘Doperider’ has been well received by those occupying the more “cult” corners of the online press, and those who’ve seen the band before know how special the live experience can be, so this is a night that has a lot riding on it even before the musicians take the stage.
A collaboration between Magenta’s Robert Reed, vocalist Steve Basalmo, and a revolving cast of prog and rock oriented musicians, Chimpan A have a sound that’s varied and complex, but also often accessible. Although their 2020 debut album favoured longer arrangements, their overdue follow up ‘Music Is Art Vol. 1’ is home to a few much stronger, shorter pieces. There are a couple of epic tracks to be found during the eight song journey that blends pop, rock, electronica and prog influences into a smart and seamless menagerie, but the bulk of this long awaited release centres itself a little more around actual songs.
Over the years, Albert Hammond’s ‘The Air That I Breathe’ has been recorded by numerous artists. The Hollies’ recording from 1974 remains its most famous incarnation, but dig through the archives and you’ll discover other notable versions from Dana Gillespie, Judy Collins, AOR band Alien, Olivia Newton-John, Swedish pop band The Tuesday Girls (latterly The Tuesdays), and even Hank Williams, Jr. It seems to be one of those tracks that never really goes away, but few have breathed as much new life into this well worn number than pop-prog collective Chimpan A.