Christos & The Violet Crown are a London based Greek duo of Guitarist Christos and singer Olina Bakali and this is their debut EP. It somehow got lost in the mix on my review pile, but when it surfaced and I gave it a listen I was stunned, as it really jumps out and better late than never here’s why you all need to find Christos & The Violet Crown.
The EP opens with the slow funky blues of the title track The Black Is On, that doesn't sound like it's about snooker, but has sultry vocals that remind me a bit of Alannah Myles and some very cool guitar as the message to not give up comes across loud and clear.
Goodbyes has a very slow soulful feel with some very cool organ set in with the snare heavy drums and a harp as the relationship comes crashing to the ground and it's time to say your Goodbyes once more, the horn solo (or is it a guitar solo) is bewitching and full of pain.
No More is a cry of pain and agony and a wish to bring about some change and make the world more equitable over the blues jazz backing with some very cool brass and picked electric guitar as Olina asks for all the fighting and wars and disputes to finish before the wailing guitar solo.
Move Over has a deeply funky blues break opening that calms down as Olina's vocals come in, alongside some skittery cymbals, accentuate the story in the lyrics, that ask for a chance at a new way of doing things that will allow a better life that's fairer for the many not the few, among the brass stabs and a tune that hits deep down and at times sounds like a modernized Electric Gypsies.
Find out more at https://smarturl.it/ChristosVioletCrown https://www.facebook.com/ChristosAndTheVioletCrown/
