The Studio 68!. A high-octane rock ‘n’ roll band formed in North London steeped in late sixties and early seventies influences, were destined for stardom in the early nineties before their chaotic lifestyle derailed them. They were regenerated a couple of years ago as a rollicking rock ‘n’ roll outfit fronted by lead vocalist Dani Turner fusing elements of funk, soul, jazz, and blues.
The album opens with `Magic Touch` which is a rolling tripping slice of sixties funky soul with pounding drums, a guiding bass line, organ hues that Rod Argent, Ian McLagan, and Steve Winwood would look on with envy and vocals that would give a lady called Pearl a run for her money. The distorting gaze of social media is addressed on the reflective `Hall of Mirrors’ where musically we are taken on a trippy journey with organ, bass, some absorbing flute, wah wah guitar riffs and brass blasts and vocals that would entice you anywhere they suggested you go.
‘Need A Miracle’ is a captivating foot thumping soul come rock ‘n’ roll anthem which will have you up and grooving along with the best. We pass through this life all too briefly and ‘Wasn’t Ready’ is a pulsating consideration on this but shared with an upbeat rock come country tinged crossover with some enticing guitar which sounds akin to lap steel. I felt it had a kind of Stones swagger about it.
‘Seasons’ opens with the sound of falling rain and became a dreamy meditation on loss which at times brought to mind The Doors for me. We have an almost psychedelic vibe to ‘The Way It Is’ where the issue of the colour of your skin is more important than what`s within is subtlety alluded to and how times haven`t really changed.
`One Way Ticket` is a sixty four second jam before we head into the rhythmic groove laden `Funky People` where Brian Eno randomly gets a namecheck for some reason.
‘Turn Off Your Mind’ is a bluesy, R&B, and roots tour de force encouraging us to take time out to chill out possibly do what Timothy Leary suggested with his counterculture-era phrase to tune in turn on drop out. The final cut is the meditative almost brooding ‘Time Slips Through Your Hands’, runs at around six minutes and is fairly mesmeric and spellbinding. As it bleeds into the ether it awakens after forty seconds and we are finally led out with sitar and tabla.
Paul Moody (vocals, guitar), Thrill Heaven aka Will Beaven (Hammond organ, backing vocals), Patrick O’Sullivan (bass) and Simon Castell (drums) are the engine room but with Dani Turner belting out the tunes, this outfit are sensational. The album runs at around the thirty five minute mark so you`ve got no excuse to not set aside just over an hour and listen to it twice!! I must say that I also loved the cover artwork or record sleeve which mirrors the bright orange Rizla+ premier French brand of rolling papers fascia. Let`s leave it there!!!
Get Rollin with The Studio 68! & Dani Turner, they`ll take you on a trip you won`t forget
Rating 9/10
