Arthur Brown - The Voice Of Love

Tasty dish with a flavouring of déjà vu

In absolute terms, this could be Brown’s finest album. If his dusty old debut single, the 40-year-old Devil’s Grip, had emotional significance, however, the anniversary remake here could leave a peculiar aftertaste. There are also courageous overhauls of three items from 2002’s Tantric Lover, also a predominantly acoustic demonstration that Brown has always been more than a mere God of Hellfire. While the jury is still out with regard to The Voice Of Love, All The Bells and Love Is The Spirit are completely successful. Moreover, who couldn’t enjoy an idiosyncratic revival of Simon Dupree’s Kites, a highlight of a still-riveting stage act? Also, That’s How Strong My Love Is escapes the orbit of the 1965 Otis Redding B-side, while remaining just as soulful in its quasi-folky way.

Of the new cache of Brown originals, Gypsies is the stand-out with its instant familiarity and carefree syncopations. After living with its companion tracks for weeks, however, that could easily change after you begin to fully appreciate the subtle intrusion of longtime collaborator Nick Pynn’s synthesiser for the final few seconds of Birds Of A Feather. That would have suited mid-period Scott Walker admirably.

Cote Basque | CB 07002

Reviewed by Alan Clayson
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