The latest release from Bristol born bassist Richard O’Brien appears to have been
perfectly timed to coincide with the change in weather that has occurred
throughout the United Kingdom in March 2014. As the cold, gloomy winter nights
gradually give way to spring, and the reappearance of light and colour lift the
nations collective mood, an album such as “Horizons” is perfectly placed to
provide the soundtrack to this reawakening.
The influences that
have shaped Richard musically are worn proudly on his sleeve, as can be heard
on the opening piece “Co-Incidence”. Instantly memorable bass and brass lines
provide a rock solid foundation for muscular soloing. Poignant keyboards tease their
way through the mix giving the piece a mid 70’s soulful edge, which provides
the perfect introduction and sets the stall out for the rest of this release.
Not letting the joyful mood slip once, “Strawberry Kisses” bounces forward on
deep and dirty bass lines which provides a firm foundation for some upliftingly
sweltering guitar soloing. By the third track in the sun is beating down into
your back garden and thoughts of cleaning down the barbecue are beginning to
become a reality. As the first glass of wine is poured, “Juvenile” gives you no
inclination that there is any reason to go back indoors. Tight arrangements
again support fluid soloing, which sustain the momentum and keep the album
optimistic and inspiring.
The vocal appearances on ”Promiscuous” and “Stay”, rather
than disrupt the mood, add an additional weapon to the Richard O’Brien Arsenal
of Soul, principally with the introduction of ‘seductiveness’ to the array of
adjectives that could be applied to the music on “Horizons”. Slowing the pace
down temporarily, “Ricardinho” could not be any more furtive and contented if
it actively tried, and is complemented by some sumptuous keyboard and guitar
playing that would not be out of place on a mid 70’s Miles Davis release.
“Horizons Interlude” and “Nostalgia” provide tender fleeting vignettes compared
to the cheerful agendas that make up the rest of this release, but are valuable
additions that illustrate the flexibility of arrangement and playing. Tremendous
music for the approaching summer months that will also help sustain the mood into
subsequent years.
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