Tom Cawley (keys); Gareth Lockrane (flutes); Fini Bearman (voice); Robin Mullarkey (bass); Chris Higginbottom (drums).
(Review by Lance).
One of those albums that kind of grows on you. I personally can live without synthesizers - like coffee creams they are ok in moderation - but a box/album full of them can be too much. However, despite the heavy electronica, there is still much to like. Lockrane's superb fluting's proof that, in the western world, he reigns supreme. The voice sounds of Bearman meld in well. By some mystical Hogwartian means, the singer is also a choir!
Cawley expertly manipulates the dials and the thingamajigs but the best moments for me are when he plays piano unplugged to the light bulb.
It isn't an unpleasant album, quite the contrary. It's a sort of 'easy listening' album for folks who don't like 'easy listening' albums because the folks who do like 'easy listening' albums wouldn't like this one! But, if superb flute playing is your forté then this is for you - synths notwithstanding! Add some Mullarkey on bass and the ever forceful 'igginbottom on drums and you have yourself a disc that will not hurt you at all.
For some obscure reason, Bearman designed the cover showing the band in red and white stripes - is Fini a secret Sunderland groupie or does the kit indicate her heart is nearer the south coast? Probably neither. Catenaccio, it would appear, is the name given to a tactical innovation which was pioneered in Italian football in the 1960s and involves fluid movement between positions and extra cover.
Well, you learn something every day and, as the Noir Catenacci of Sunderland beat Doncaster Rovers this afternoon, they must have had an advance copy of this most interesting CD.
Lance
Catenaccio will be released by ubuntu music (UBU0024) on May 10 and there's a pre-release Late Show Special at Ronnie's the night before (May 9)
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