INDIGO KID - Indigo Kid II: Fist Full of Notes
Babel BDV 14130
Dan Messore (Guitar), Trish Clowes (Tenor Saxophone), Tim Harries (Bass), Martin France (Drums), Iain Bellamy (Tenor Saxaphone on 2 tracks)
Indigo Kid, the brainchild of guitarist Dan Messore, follow up their 2012 self-titled album with the ten new tracks that form their sophomore effort Indigo Kid II: Fist Full of Notes. This time out tenor saxophonist Iain Ballamy is most absent guesting on only two tracks. This time the sax duties fall to the incredibly talented Trish Clowes. The line-up is completed by returning bassist Tim Harries whilst this time out Martin France is on the drums.
The most striking thing about this album is the palpable spiritualism. There is a sense of a journey being taken through these ten compositions. Messore has spent the three years since the last Indigo Kid release exploring various musical directions and that really helps him create an extra dimension to his composing.
There is a certain level of melancholy to be found throughout the album. Amongst the sadness you can feel an undercurrent of hope with such tracks as “The Healing Process.” Indigo Kid II: Fist Full of Notes is a mature and expressive record. Dan Messore is a composer with wisdom beyond his years and his work for Indigo Kid is vibrant and real.
It would be easy to dismiss this release as the work of just one man but it is truly a band effort with Harries and France also chipping in with the arrangements. The depth brought to the record by the whole line up should not be under estimated. The atmospheric soundscape created by the group is one of the stronger aspects. It builds on the foundations of their previous album but takes the sound to new heights.
This album requires multiple listens. Each time you play the disc you unearth new depths you may have missed. The listener’s bond to the music strengthens with each play through. It’s hard to pick highlights as the album is strong throughout and to single out individual tracks would do an injustice to the whole record. There are no weak tracks and the listener is best served by enjoying the album as a whole. It’s rare to come across a record that reveals so much of the soul of its creator. Dan Mesore has opened himself completely with Indigo Kid II: Fist Full of Notes and I’m sure most listeners will agree it was well worth it. This is an album that will mean a great deal to those that take the time to appreciate its nuances. Music is the key to the soul and this record proves Indigo Kid has a fist full of keys to go with those notes.
Reviewed by Ben Calverley
Babel BDV 14130
Dan Messore (Guitar), Trish Clowes (Tenor Saxophone), Tim Harries (Bass), Martin France (Drums), Iain Bellamy (Tenor Saxaphone on 2 tracks)
Indigo Kid, the brainchild of guitarist Dan Messore, follow up their 2012 self-titled album with the ten new tracks that form their sophomore effort Indigo Kid II: Fist Full of Notes. This time out tenor saxophonist Iain Ballamy is most absent guesting on only two tracks. This time the sax duties fall to the incredibly talented Trish Clowes. The line-up is completed by returning bassist Tim Harries whilst this time out Martin France is on the drums.
The most striking thing about this album is the palpable spiritualism. There is a sense of a journey being taken through these ten compositions. Messore has spent the three years since the last Indigo Kid release exploring various musical directions and that really helps him create an extra dimension to his composing.
There is a certain level of melancholy to be found throughout the album. Amongst the sadness you can feel an undercurrent of hope with such tracks as “The Healing Process.” Indigo Kid II: Fist Full of Notes is a mature and expressive record. Dan Messore is a composer with wisdom beyond his years and his work for Indigo Kid is vibrant and real.
It would be easy to dismiss this release as the work of just one man but it is truly a band effort with Harries and France also chipping in with the arrangements. The depth brought to the record by the whole line up should not be under estimated. The atmospheric soundscape created by the group is one of the stronger aspects. It builds on the foundations of their previous album but takes the sound to new heights.
This album requires multiple listens. Each time you play the disc you unearth new depths you may have missed. The listener’s bond to the music strengthens with each play through. It’s hard to pick highlights as the album is strong throughout and to single out individual tracks would do an injustice to the whole record. There are no weak tracks and the listener is best served by enjoying the album as a whole. It’s rare to come across a record that reveals so much of the soul of its creator. Dan Mesore has opened himself completely with Indigo Kid II: Fist Full of Notes and I’m sure most listeners will agree it was well worth it. This is an album that will mean a great deal to those that take the time to appreciate its nuances. Music is the key to the soul and this record proves Indigo Kid has a fist full of keys to go with those notes.
Reviewed by Ben Calverley
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