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DPAS REVIEW Glenn
Hughes Shug has been bigging this up around the rock press as his return to rock, the album his fans have been wanting him to make, how he's rediscovered his passion for The Rawk, and so on, ad nauseum. Which is complete and utter tosh. For as the title indicates, this is in fact Glenn's return to the glory days of Trapeze, fusing his love of rock, Stevie Wonder and funk, aligned to some sweet melodies, and above all else, the voice.
Right, you're back. Good. There's more top quality funk on "Get You Stoned", driven along by the powerful drumming of Red Hot Chili Pepper, Chad Smith. If there was any justice in this world, "Courageous" would be all over US radio, and a hit would be born. Horrifically catchy, I have found myself trying to hit notes that have been beyond me for 20 years. Nice. The wistful, introspection of "The Truth" hits home hard, and is another melodic masterpiece. There's no indication of which guitarist plays which solo, so props have to go to both long standing alumni JJ Marsh, and the much travelled Jeff Kollman. Nice to see that Glenn plays bass all the way through and backing vocals are handled by former Santana bod, Alex Ligertwood. This is by far, the best piece of solo work Glenn has produced in a long time with perhaps only 3 tracks out of 11 failing to pass muster. So, if you can get past the horrendous cover art, and yearn for the days when music got you higher, then this is essential. Oh, and yes there is a coda.
Review: Stuart
Hamilton, |
'Tis
true, there are rockers, but they are actually the weaker numbers, especially
the John Bonham tribute which veers sharply over the line between tribute
and parody. However, faults are few and delights are many. So let's
begin with the epic power funk ballad which will have grown men weeping
into their beer, and women going weak at the knees. It's called "Written
All Over Your Face", it lasts over eight minutes and it is a truly
sublime piece of music which you absolutely have to own. No ifs, no
buts, no maybes. Go get it. Now.