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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
7:57 PM 25th September 2017
arts

Album Review: Matt Bianco - Gravity

 
Firstly if you thought that Matt Bianco had disappeared then think again because they are back and although these days the only original member is Mark Reilly, they sound even better than ever.

The act were originally a trio with Basia providing the female vocals before she went on to have a successful solo career. Mark Fisher joined Mark Reilly in 1986 and they released a succession of successful albums. Following the tragic death last year of Mark Fisher this new album is the first since then.

The band on this new album feature Swedish sax and flute player Magnus Lindgren and a large chunk of Jamie Cullum's group.

The first single off the album is Joyride: the track is classic Matt Bianco, smooth, pop infused jazz. Though like most of the album the track is more jazz based than previously.

Invisible is possibly one of the best tracks off the album with a melody that you will remember long after the song has ended. They say that the album was recorded live in the studio and this track is a good case in point. When they play some live shows the song will come into its own.

Gravity takes its cue from Everybody Wants To Be A Cat off the Aristocats movie from years ago. The jazz interludes are in keeping with the rest of the album.

Solace sees Reilly duetting with Elizabeth Troy who has worked with Clean Bandit. She does a superb job on a song that Basia would have sung on 30 years ago.

Before Its Too Late could be the grown up cousin to the band's hit, Get Out of Your Lazy Bed albeit in a more jazzier mode.

The 11 track album closes with an atmospheric mix by Mark De Clive Lowe of Joyride.

Classy, cool and well connected.

I give the album 4 out of 5.