Orions Belte - Mint

Orions Belte

Mint

Jansen Records

Take the plunge and immerse yourself into a retro cascade of Norwegian glacial cool with the debut album from Orions Belte. Hazy, heavy on the reverb guitar, keys not unlike a Wurlitzer organ and a pedal steel predominate the nine tracks on offer. 

The shoulders relax to the laid back lounge rhythms and I have the strange desire to bounce down the road on a space-hopper, to buy  a fondue set (so expensive now!)

and  cover half a potato in foil for that culinary delight of cheese and  pineapple chunks!

Delmonte combines the sound of the Stone Roses with Fela Kuti for an afrobeat endeavour that disappointingly fades after 1:30 but the next song Joe Frazier, 

compensates with the addition of vocals from bassist Chris Holm and slow guitar licks for over five minutes from Oyvind Blomstrom.

Moving Back Again and Le Mans, hint of the glamour and the froth of casinos and Camparis, whilst  Picturephone Blues returns to the afrobeat theme, with a droning bass and an almost psychedelic lead.  Seven-minute standout track Atlantic Surfingis a timeless trippy affair that shows the band can also change up a gear when the fancy takes them.

Alnitak returns the pace to a Purple Rain patter and neatly closes Mint.

NE

Neil Campbell The Outsider – News from Nowhere

This latest offering from Liverpudlian composer Neil Campbell is inspired by William Morris’s socialist and environmentalist novel News from Nowhere which along with much classic literature, is available for download from several sources over the internet.

Neil Campbell produces a euphoric collage of classical and acoustic guitar to match the fingers of John Williams, with added genius in blending the handclaps of flamenco, the atmosphere of harpsichord and harmonium, and prog rock synthesizer flourishes into a satisfying and coherent whole.

This recording together with Morris’s text which it references, throws into stark relief the big questions of our day which must be Campbell’s intention who also comes from one of the great cities of the industrial revolution.  It adds to the impetus ramped up last year by Sir David Attenborough’s address on plastics in Blue Planet II for an urgent rethink of the effects of industrialisation.  Reading the novel supports the need for new visionaries to confront signs of a current malaise in our worldwide political leadership.

NE

23 Acez-Embracing the Madness

23 Acez

Embracing the Madness

Freya Records

Belgian heavy rockers 23 Acez release their third album Embracing the Madness and I’ve duly obliged, playing it on repeat for days.  Contemporary riffs grab the attention but they are balanced by convincing classic rock moments of both melody and amazing lead guitar fretwork.  The band has diamonds in depth with outstanding vocals from founder and guitarist Benny “Zors” Willaertand and the pounding drums of Louis Van der Linden impress.  I was captivated by the variety of this upbeat rock album and this band deserve more recognition for their melodies, musicianship and power of their well-written songs.  Contrary to Consequence of Sound’s recent headline “Beyonce Reigns; Rock Dies: Coachella 2018”this album is ample evidence rock music continues to defy its critics and continues to evolve worldwide.

NE