With the classic vocal of Barbara Stretch, former frontwoman of Pye Records’ soul sensations The Vernons, to the fore, the Ely Fallen Angels Choir led by CREEPY NEIGHBOUR’s Max Taylor add layers of joyous harmonies as this 60’s style space pop single builds and builds.
Tribes of Europe, the alter ego of Fenland-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Martin Elsey, are also joined on ‘Rosalind’ by Andy Gangadeen (Massive Attack, Chase & Status, Jeff Beck) on drums and Chris Taylor (Poison Girls, The Bays) on bass, harpsichord and co-production duties amongst the resident chickens at the wonderful Bluebarn Studios in the Cambridge countryside.
Martin describes the thinking behind the single:
“It’s about a girl whose hero is Rosalind Franklin. She has a secret crush on a popular girl at school. It’s very intense, as these things tend to be when you want something really badly but can’t seem to find a way of getting it. The song is her imaginary conversation with Rosalind and the girl. Somewhere along the line I started thinking about Joe Meek as well, and he crept into the general vibe of the song … all these innovators who didn’t quite fit in with the norms of the day; maybe their sexuality or gender just didn’t quite click.”
Previous singles by Tribes of Europe & Barbara Stretch have enjoyed national support on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Ulster, BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction and various regional shows.
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