| ChimpanA, the Electronica-inspired Prog duo comprising singer Steve Balsamo (Jon Lord/Eric Woolfson/Jesus Christ Superstar) and Robert Reed (Magenta/Cyan/Sanctuary), release their 3rd album ‘M.I.A. Vol. 1’ on 29 August 2025 through Tigermoth Records, on CD, LP and Digital. At the very core of the project is what the pair describe unapologetically as an ‘old-fashioned’ response to the ‘TikTokification’ of music. ‘M.I.A. Vol. 1’ honours the vinyl album tradition, with clearly defined sides A and B; the first has shorter, more commercial tracks, with Side B made up of longer pieces. In advance of the album, the band are releasing four old school singles, one a month, available as a physical CD and digital download. Each has an original track alongside a cover – they take on a plethora of [in their words] “probably untouchable” sacred cows, delivering incredible versions of massive songs from Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Webb, The Hollies, Carole King, even Hot Chocolate. Anyone for making life easy for themselves? The second single in the series is new track ‘Saviour’ backed with – gulp – ‘Wichita Lineman’ and is released today, Friday 13 June. This follows April’s single, a version of Peter Gabriel’s ‘Here Comes The Flood’ b/w new track ‘Wolves’.. And as for the “why?” to all this (which both Balsamo and Reed would accept is a fair question) it comes back to that mantra, “Music Is Art”. Increasingly experiencing music as a throwaway commodity, many have forgotten the impact of simply engaging with, and truly listening to, an album. Still believe music has value? Step right up! There’s pride, even an anger at work here. Drawing influences from the rhythms of Peter Gabriel, the commercial songs of Tears For Fears and the raw emotional impact of Blue Nile, the duo approached this album with the only rule being that there were no rules. The songs were built up out of sketches, jam sessions, stream of consciousness lyrics, and then revisited and rebuilt until truly special. There are songs about home, loss, family, addiction, a pair written for Richard Mylan‘s play ‘Sorter’, and one sampling the Swansea composer Karl Jenkins [he loves it]. ChimpanA then came up with a wish list of players to join them, and secured some of the best in the world. Steve Balsamo says, “The project has always been a joy. I love the collaboration and bringing together amazing musicians and crashing them into each other to see what happens. Rob is such a fabulous producer, really understanding sound and he is really able to get the most emotional impact out of the songs and what the musicians bring to The Chimp’s table. It always comes down to songs, so songwriting is the backbone of the project, but what we’ve tried to do is deconstruct and mess with the process. It was all a kind of chance, or synchronicity”. Robert Reed adds, “Musically it shouldn’t work, but it is just so exciting hearing sudden changes of style. Going from Euro dance, and suddenly having a burst of jazz, or folk. As long as it works emotionally, nothing was off the table. The Chimp is our music safe space. In this environment I think it just leads to the best work, as you’re 100% into and it’s totally honest and not contrived”. There’s an integrity and a purity at the heart of ChimpanA, and ‘M.I.A. Vol.1’ itself; proudly flying the flag for what has value, heart and heft. The duo embrace modernity and innovation, but cherish what has come before. This album demands attention, and will hold it. Balsamo and Reed have Pop backgrounds, but there’s serious range and ambition at play here with Classical singers, gospel and soul vocals, rock and folk music, jazz overtones and spoken word – sometimes all in one song! Perhaps the last word should go to Steve Balsamo, “We were only interested in the music if it moved us”. Prepare to be moved, and repeat after me: “Music Is Art”. |
| Chimpan A on second single, Jimmy Webb’s ‘Wichita Lineman’ b/w new track ‘Saviour’ Steve says, “‘Saviour has a thumping 80s groove, driven by Ged Lynch (Peter Gabriel, Black Grape) and Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd), and the lyric hints at the madness that is happening in the world right now. I’m personally praying for a saviour…”. Rob says, “We love the 80s vibe, it has a lot of nods to Tears For Fears and takes rhythmic vibes from Waterfront by Simple Minds. We have filtered all those influences through The Chimp machine and we think it’s a modern take on all that magic. We asked Neil Taylor, who played on all the early Tears For Fears hits to come and add his brilliant guitar playing, and he really elevates with is gorgeous angular style. We think it’s a cheeky little toe- tapper!” Steve says , “Rob and I are huge Jimmy Webb fans and we got to see him a couple of years ago in Bristol. It was transcendent – Jimmy opened with ‘Highwayman’ and both Rob and I started to cry. Pure magic”. Rob says, “He has notes on his piano that other pianos don’t have! Hearing ‘Wichita Lineman’ being sung by the maestro, from a few feet away was something that will haunt me in a good way forever. I had the idea for The Chimp to try a version and again, like with all the covers, we approached it with reverence. Someone said our version sounds a like a cross between The Blue Nile and Massive Attack, which is a beautiful compliment. We hope if Jimmy gets to hear it, he will think the same and not send in the lawyers!” |
