Barry Adamson - Back to the Cat (Central Control) ****

11:36am Friday 18th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

HAVING paid his dues playing bass in Magazine nearly 30 years ago, Barry Adamson joined and left the Bad Seeds before embarking on a solo exploration of sonic art creating soundtrack albums for films that only exist in his head.

Check out Moss Side Story or Soul Murder for the starting point if you will.

Back to the Cat is the pinnacle of this process, the point at which it all comes together.

Fusing finger-clickin' swing jazz, with big band jump, roughed up northern soul, Stax balladry, greasy funk and widescreen strings, the songs boast a cracking cast of hipsters, tricksters and ne'er do wells.

It's best heard while wearing a sharp black suit and highly polished shoes. Specs are optional, but on no account is this to be approached in sportswear!