Release Date: 26 May 2023
Label: Esot / Cherry Red
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5013929479531
Genres: Pop Psychedelic Rock
Release Date: 26 July 2024
Label: Gare Du Nord
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 684910296229
Genres: Pop Psychedelic Rock
Description
Ben Reed has worked with Frank Ocean, David Byrne, Sampha and many others, but his own music is unpredictable, passionate and tinged with melancholy and has drawn comparisons to the so-called Canterbury sound of Progressive rock.
‘Bandaged’ is much more in the singer/songwriter vein than Ben's previous releases, albeit tinged with an undeniable British proggy-ness. The richness of melody and harmonic vocabulary remains, and the influence of jazz is still detectable, this time via more concise song forms.
Past review comparisons to the Canterbury sound aren't too far wide of the mark here, especially as Jimmy Hastings (Caravan, Hatfield & the North) is present on two of the songs.
Throughout the album there is a detectable combination of sentimentality and melancholy combined with playfulness and a dark sense of humour making ‘Bandaged’ one of the most interesting and innovative new albums of its genre in 2023.
Description
Having worked with artists as wide-ranging as Frank Ocean, David Byrne and Sampha, Ben Reed's own music has drawn comparisons to the Canterbury sound of progressive rock. His music is tinged with an undeniable British melancholy, rich with melody and harmonic vocabulary, with elements of jazz and folk.
Bandaged has been Ben's project since June 2020, with lockdown compelling him to craft new songs in a concise singer-songwriter style, recording the vocals himself - something he has done for the first time on this album. With the fledging songs almost fully formed Ben called in various musicians to record with. Contributions came from Jimmy Hastings (Caravan, Hatfield & The North) and organist Ross Stanley (Steve Howe Trio). Alongside the progressive leaning musicians are contributions from pedal steel legend BJ Cole, Rachel Hayter (Alvorada) who plays flute, singer/songwriter Laura Groves (Nautic, Bat for Lashes) on keyboards, and Matt Weeks, who plays horns alongside mixing duties.
Tracklisting
Tracklisting
Ben Reed
Paul Callan
David Power
Electric Hero
Mystery Fix
Terry Miles
Andy Lewis, Popincourt, Papernut Cambridge, Robert Rotifer
Papernut Cambridge / Luke Smith / The Feelings
