Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

A graduate from the Nexus music school in Coventry, and now available through that pioneering Birmingham-based collective Zang Productions, this is an album that is probably the best example of a bedroom recording that I've heard in a long, long time. The songs are Gillespie's but they have been captured through the most basic technology by his friend and fellow Nexus graduate Chris Donald. The fact that they have made an album that feels so warm and human is either a tribute to Donald's production skills or complete beginner's luck! Whatever, the results are definitely worthy of your investigation. There is something compelling and intense about the mix of the acoustic vibe and strings/horns of "70x7" that really works. For some songs, there is a simple groove that emerges and drifts along in a manner that is reminiscent of Van Morrison and Kevin Prosch where Gillespie is in no hurry to make anything too commercial and instead luxuriates in the freedom to just make the music he wants. This is evident on songs like "Brown Eyes" and "Tired" and gives Gillespie the opportunity to simply emote what's on his troubled soul. And it's this emotional quality and heartfelt lyrics that makes the whole album so touching. From the opening almost jaunty "Say Anything" to the almost discordant closing "Between The Lines", this is a strong debut. Let's see if there's any more where this came from!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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