The Bees Deluxe, Hallucinate
In the words of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, “and now for something completely different”. An album that opens with the cracked timbre of Brit frontman, songwriter and producer Conrad Warre, conceding to the slick rival in a ‘Shark Skinned Suit’, so much better than himself in every way. Not so, this song unwraps the fabulous blend of what is termed Acid Blues from the Boston based Bees Deluxe. An album full of quirky avant-garde lyrics that take in alien potholes, and the burnt toast taste of gasoline.
Funk laced rhythms, keys, and cutting guitar, paint ‘When Is Yesterday’, an irresistible concoction of eclectic food tasting, closing out on lovely harmonica from Carol Band, keyboardist and fellow writer. I’m hooked, thinking, will it run out of steam, but then, ‘Another Close Shave’ kicks in, its cut throat razor sharp. Jazz fused blues, with a cut that bleeds into your soul, full of sticking plaster weirdl lyrics from a perpetual loser in life’s gamble. Simply divine, we’re only a few songs in and I’ve been royally stung by The Bees, start to finish this offbeat distinctly blues coloured cocktail is just what I need to lift my spirits, I pour a refill.
Listen out for the haunting, muted trumpet in the unsettling ‘Queen Midas’, “something is wrong”, no your just being pulled into the lair of a black widow, rescued by the silken thread of Carol Band’s lovely piano intermission, ‘How to Play 96 Tears’. A close call, only to be stopped by a charge of, ‘Nitro’-glycerine, and the fuse is about to be ignited, ah well, lose yourself in the heady blend of double bass, saxophones, and trumpet, stitched together by Jared Egan’s guitar and the rhythm line. ‘What’s Wrong With Me’, best ask other’s for their opinions, I don’t fit any mold, but I know what I like, Vive le Difference. A wonderful groove, the double bass dropping deep foundations, lyrics are completely off the wall, all carried beautifully by the vibe that hesitates, takes a breath, then sweeps back in like, “being hit by a falling tree”, what’s wrong with me? Absolutely nothing, a superb closure to an outstandingly diverse, yet fully stitched together album.
Hallucinate is as much an artwork as Salvador Dale’s melting timepieces or Magritte’s Art Of Conversation, it deserves a listen, better still, ownership, who wouldn’t want to own such a masterpiece of finely crafted musical surrealism?
Tracks;
Sharkskin Suit
When Is Yesterday
Another Close Shave
Scared
Queen Midas
How To Play 96 Tears
Nitro Call Me Frank
Men & Women
Gary Burton’s Ex Guitar Player
Houdini
What’s Wrong With Me
Conspirators;
Carol Band – keyboards, vocals and harmonica
Poogie Bell – drums (Nitro)
Allyn Dorr – bass and vocals
Jared Egan – guitar (Sharkskin Suit)
Joe Egan – keyboards and mentoring
James Gildea – bass and vocals
Paul Giovine – drums and percussion
Adam Sankowski – bass guitar
Conrad Warre – guitar, bass, vocals, trumpet, and keys
Words Graham Munn
Rhythm & Booze 