A few years ago, I was down at the now defunct ‘Iron Road’ venue in Evesham, for Marco Mendoza or The Quireboys, I can’t recall who. However, the support band came on and I was surprised at how good the singer was, I don’t think they actually fitted the bill, maybe they were a last minute call up, but nonetheless I was taken with that voice. They were called ‘The 3 Sixties’ and that vocalist was Phil Stanley. These days my friend Loz Rabone is in the band and they gig regularly around Birmingham and the Midlands. Loz is such a talented songwriter, I’ve reviewed his solo work in the past, so when he asked me to write about his latest project that featured Phil, I couldn’t resist !
‘Back To Zero’ written and produced by Loz is inspired by the Swinging 1960’s, a retrospective album of that era that just cries, Mods & Rockers, Carnaby Street, Mini Skirts, British Sports Cars and Bands emerging without wearing suits. It was a glorious time, life was so easygoing, we didn’t have Mobile Phones, Emails or Texts to distract us from reality or technology monitoring our every move (Thank Goodness !).
The intro ‘Ground Zero’ is ninety-seconds of entangled noises and media talk, we are going back in time, then finally reaching our destination, this is ‘Back To Zero’.
The first track ‘Voodoo’ rocks with a low line ‘Hank Marvin’ style and it ‘swings’, I can use 60’s terms for this review ! Lightly peppered lyrics sung with harmonies, just pop in and out to counter balance the guitars and it leaves on rousing notes. ‘Troubled Times’ has attitude, everything is cropped back so the layers stand alone and it has a superb feel of funked up soft Jazz. The production is perfect, the sound coming though my speaker is so clear. The title track introduces Oz McGowan on keyboards and this has oozing warmth. Again the pristine harmonies and intoxicating guitar allow you to immerse yourself in this well crafted music, I’m floating in the clouds. ‘Hall Of Mirrors’ has a touch of ‘Pink Floyd’ to begin, think how ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ grabbed you when you first heard it. This song has that quality, it glides blissfully and Phil’s voice is truly outstanding. Similar to most of the 12 numbers on this album, it gathers momentum as it progresses, with subtle interludes that are both gentle and caressing. ‘Little White Lies’ is more upbeat, a rich tempo that meanders, while ‘Fever’ is a step back to the rock and roll era and you can just imagine the ‘Brothel Creepers’ on the dance floor.
‘Your Mojo Man’ gets back into easy firing Rhythm and Blues, which cruises with samples of more straightforward guitar and lush offerings by Mr Stanley. The theme continues with the honky tonk of ‘Down At Chas Mann’s,(Chas Mann’s is a Birmingham venue they play regularly). This is so sultry, imagine the room, full of smoke, cocktails and little black dresses. ’Thin Kin Bou Choo’ rubs a shine on those guitar chords, there’s softly pressured vocals and more soulful solos, all helped along by the laid back melody. Watch the music video below. ‘Long Time Gone’ rides the waves, the drums have a prominent role and they kick with a swelling retro beat. This is really ‘hip’ and would get the party going no problem. The coda is ‘Zeroed Out Eastern Time’ and fits in with the theme, we are travelling forward as the static returns, then we finally arrive home. That whole idea is so cleverly engineered.
What Loz set out to do and has indeed achieved, is to capture that 60’s vibe. With Phil’s remarkable voice, plus stylish music that reflects that generation, I think the result is both unique and inspirational. You can wander in and out of the tracks with visions of those long gone days, but they also hold modern charm and finesse. An album to relax with or cruise along to, because as I mentioned, that sound production is phenomenal and it’s another element that makes ‘Back To Zero’ a must have. The videos are also flashbacks to those days and are well worth watching.
‘The pristine harmonies and intoxicating guitar allow you to immerse yourself in this well crafted music’.
HIGHLIGHTS – ( Gosh so many ) Voodoo, Back To Zero, Hall Of Mirrors, Your Mojo Man, Down At Chas Manns.
Purchase the album BACK TO ZERO via Apple Music HERE
Or on Bandcamp HERE
BACK TO ZERO was written and produced by Loz Rabone.
Watch the sampler video here –
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