Album Review

Stef Esposito - Walking Colouring Book

Self-Released. (http://stefesposito.bandcamp.com/album/walking-colouring-book)

Here we have a true Sheffield workhorse. Stef Esposito has been relentlessly working the music scene in south Yorkshire for over ten years. His quality playing has always blown away the kids in any audience and earned the respect of the more seasoned local music watchers. With an organic flare for the smooth yet undoubtedly raw, he works us through rock and roll, blues and little bits of everything else with a guitar, a strut in his step and a sense of humour that keeps people engaged.

His new masterpiece, Walking Colouring Book is a homage to everything he has learned since, well, being born- and lyrically, musically, it covers a rich and diverse range of feelings and subject material that are all framed nicely in expertly played quality rock and roll.

The first riff of the album bounces us back into days past, where we remember looking up at those we wish to aspire to be like. A fitting lyric about remembering our hero, and a rhythm which inspires us to be grateful and joyous, we are told a story of respect and humility, reaching for someone we look to when we need them. 

Song after song plays out in foot tapping and dynamic portions of energy. Every time one ends, something a little different comes in to replace what once was. Stef’s voice carries each song with a gutsy and empowered confidence as his range shows his true ability as a real creator of sound. Some masterful mixing and tweaks have grasped that perfect edge for his style of voice.

As an album dedicated to the memory of his late father, and as a culmination of his years of experience as a musician, this is truly a great record. 

Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip

Plug - Jan 23rd

Originally published in Now Then Magazine issue 71

A freezing  Thursday night in Sheffield didn’t stop leagues of fans from making their way down to Matilda Street, all because of a couple of guys from Essex. You may wonder what’s so special about them. Quite simply, something works, and it works so well that within only a handful of years they have gone from performing small close knit shows to filling out big rooms in cities across the country. Refusing major label backing and staying independent doesn’t seem to have mattered much.

Sarah Williams White opened up the night with some sultry and passionate vocal work. Second support slot of the evening was a passionately brilliant young poet/rapper called Itch. His DJ sporting a giant baby head as a way of concealing their identity hammered down massive heavy bass-line grooves. Performing new single “Life is Poetry”, I was impressed to the point of fandom.

It was about 9.20 when the stage went dark and the booth DJ halted his filling ambience. The room had grown packed over the course of the first two acts and the atmosphere was tense in the moment. Some beats began and from the almost pitch black stage came the familiar voice of Pip himself, an introduction to the set. Then with a whoosh of lighting and smoke, amidst the eerie glow of a darker shade of purple, they kicked off proper.

Instantly the crowd livened; the heavy sounding flow of the first two tracks got a real energy going with the audience. Scroobius commented early on how impressed he was with the mosh pit, and reminded everyone to look out for each other. Top bloke.  There was plenty of interaction from Dan and Pip which is great; we get a true sense of their personality that isn’t there in studio albums. Revealing both supporting artists to help out in a couple of tracks, this was a great way of introducing their talents in a way people may appreciate more, another good move. A complete mix of material in era and feel, it was a great night out.

Patterns – Waking Lines

Album Review

By Rowan Blair Colver

Originally published in Now Then Magazine issue 70 

Totally immersing themselves in the 80s and then rising from the flames like a modern day phoenix of cutting edge easy going rock with space age futuristic directions, the album provides a thrilling and thoughtful journey through the imagination of a group of young musicians signed to Melodic, a Manchester based label.

During the lowly cast light of mid-winter December sunshine I switched on my stereo and was blasted with the most welcome sonic air conditioning of warmth and uplifting clarity brought to me by the opening track ‘This Haze’. It sounds like summer, and with the intro riff combining what appears to be a saxophone and a human voice, a simple crash of drums kicks up a vocal line reminiscent of M83. Pretty sparkles from the guitar section with major 6ths all over the place with the melodies, we have an instant mind massaging hit.   A smooth bass line and reliable drumming presents the perfect scene for the wandering but spot on voice delivery.

Another swoosh brings in the next track, ‘Blood’ and I get a more relaxed feel to this one. An astounding guitar riff frames the verse lines which completes the mastery to the sound.  I am continually impressed with the uplifting sensations brought by the tunes and the vocal lines. There are keyboards, they twinkle behind the rock like a cosmic wave and as the musicians calm like the drawing tide we are exposed to their flowing continuality. I am at this point reminded of U2, and I can imagine The Edge tapping his foot to this one.

Some great harmonies begin the next track, and as the drums and music revs up the singing continues with some hypnotic repetition in a mantra like swirl of spiralling energy.  I now realise that this group offer consistency and quality. Although the mood once again is shifting, the awareness behind it remains constant, and this makes me feel safe. I like music that flows well, and this certainly does.

Song after song, I am met with expertly mastered, clear warmth and innocence. The album is like driving a sports car through summer fields and forests, mountains and beaches. The air is delicious, the landscape changes around us, from one to another as we travel through the experience, but the engine, the comfy seat, the company of travellers, they are the same. A road trip CD, most definitely. And what better way to warm the cockles during these cold and icy months?