Brothers & Sisters

元The Beta BandのフロントマンSteve Masonによる最新アルバム!!

The Beta Bandの創設メンバーの1人で、リードシンガーとして活躍したスコットランド出身のSteve Mason。
Jimmy EdgarとのBlack Affairでも活動を行い、エレクトロ、ダブ、インディーロック、エレクトロニカ、ヒップホップ、フォークなど、あらゆるジャンルを横断する彼が、最新ソロ・アルバムをリリース!
作品にはパキスタンの歌手Javed Bashir、イギリスのゴスペルシンガーJayando Cole、Keshia Smith、Connie McCall & Adrian Blake、そしてイランの打楽器サントゥールでKaviraj Singhといった多様なゲストが参加している。
「この作品はBrexitに対する大きな "Fuck you "なんだ」とメイソンは説明しており、移民に対する賞賛を送る作品となっている。
Wu-Tang Clan、LTJ Bukem、Adam & The Ants、Public Image Limited、Mahalia Jackson、The Crampsなど様々な音楽との接点が感じられる本作では創造性を通して、強さ、思いやり、美しさを表現しているという自身でも最高傑作とうたう出来栄えの快心作!

Over the past two decades Steve Mason has strung together a consistently inventive solo career, reappearing every now and then with a slightly altered iteration of the nonconformist pop that made his first project, the ever-scrappy Beta Band, so exciting. On latter day records like Meet the Humans (2016) and About the Light (2019), the Scot has matured into a more introspective and organic tunesmith while also expanding his sonic palette into something lusher and less overtly D.I.Y. Not counting his work as King Biscuit Time or Black Affair, 2023s Brothers & Sisters is his fifth proper solo album. Masons music has always struck an open, globalist attitude, but the scope seems somehow wider and more intentional here. Amid the more personal missives are calls for unity and fiery condemnations of post-Brexit Britain. Few are more rousing than "No More," a glowing anti-imperialism anthem with an Eastern flair and guest spot from Pakistani singer Javed Bashir. Similarly toned cuts like "Im On My Way," "Brixton Fish Fry," and the strident title track find Mason in his wheelhouse, charging forward with the energy of his chosen cause. In its liberal politics and celebration of different cultures, it recalls the spirit of Joe Strummers Mescaleros records, albeit with a more pop-driven and sonically elegant feel. Through it all, Masons distinctive voice -- a hushed croon belying a hidden depth of thunder -- give his narratives gravitas and the albums production, a joint effort with Londons Tevn, builds an exciting world to match it. Its another solid effort from one of Scotlands finest. ~ Timothy Monger