'Shuffle' is the debut solo album from Steven Lindley, and also the first 'physical' release from the rejuvenated Sunbird Records.
For those in the know, Steven has previously been the Soul Train guitarist and former Levellers 5, The Full Zimbabwe and Gone Beggin' band member. So, what of his first release?
Firstly, I cannot review the music on this CD without first describing the packaging. Rarely have I seen a record company push the boat out like they've done with this. The CD is housed in a tin that is surrounded by a cardboard slipcase. The slipcase itself has a glue tab, so that it will readily undo and fold back around the tin without tearing. The tin has the centrepiece cut out, displaying the lyric book under clear plastic, with the same tarot picture as the slipcase. The CD itself is also printed up with elements of the same design.
Often when I receive something like this, I am a little wary that the work that has gone into the packaging will outweigh the value of the music, but in this particular case, I am happy to report that this is certainly not so.
The album takes in various styles and genres of music, embracing jazz, prog, blues and country, all with some excellent guitar work from Steven. There are ten tracks on the album, including three instrumentals, though these are certainly not throwaway tracks. 'Buenos Noches Buenos Aires' is a Latin jazz track par excellence with guitars, keyboards and horns working perfectly to provide a layered tapestry of sound, whereas 'Penny Rag' is a stripped down acoustic guitar masterpiece.
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English folk music receives some brilliant coverage with the song 'Billy Ruffian' which covers the fortunes of the ship HMS Bellerophon which was known colloquially as Billy Ruffian, and was the ship which fought at the battle of Trafalgar, and the one upon which Napoleon finally surrendered: - “For ten more years the wars raged on, 'Til the proudest day for the Bellerophon/
We finally met Emperor Napoleon, When he gave himself up to Billy Ruffian..."
'Maybe' is also another classic, a piano driven jazz ballad that talks about a relationship break up and whiling away the hours in thoughtful contemplation and regret: - “Watch as the waiter works around, clearing tables – not a sound/ Save the radio – some late night show/ Wait as the seconds tick away, Much the same as yesterday.”
Overall, this is an extremely likeable album, and one of which Steven should be rightfully proud. This is certainly worth adding to your music collection.
Sunbird Records online
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