EP review: MICK PINI / AUDIO54 – Pastoral

Self release [Release date: 28.02.22]

There’s nothing like a creative surge of energy to bring fresh reward. And so it that blues veteran Mick Pini revels in his new found collaboration with indie producer Craig Marshall (aka Audio 54), to extend his artist bent from music into painting and photography.

It’s the latter that features on the cover of his new 4 track digital EP release called ‘Pastoral’. And as the title suggest it’s music with a idyllic, spiritual bent, but refracted through a blues prism.

It’s all there on the tonal purity of the title track, on which Pini’s emotive simplicity is beautifully framed by producer Craig Marshall’s unique Audio 54 production.

If Pini has mastered the rudiments of tone, Marshall is equally good at providing the Peter Green inspired instrumental with its perspective and colourful depth.

It’s an impressive opener which leads to the soulful and uplifting melodic feel of ‘Careless’, a song that Pini first issued nearly 20 years ago on his ‘Blues Survivor’ album. Refreshed and in the context of his fruitful musical liaison with Audio 54, it sounds like the closest he’s ever got to being potentially commercial, in a Robert Cray style of way.

His vocal is a triumph of expressive baritone over cooing bv’s, an insistent backing percussive track, nuanced piano and a wonderful guitar figure with a two note accent. It’s not officially announced as a single in it own right yet, but it should be!

The aptly titled ‘Spark’, pushes the EP closer to the Audio 54 template. A percussive intro ushers in Marshall on lead vocals over an electric piano vamp. It’s a lovely swampy, bass anchored groove with a Winwood/Traffic feel.

Marshall’s evocative colourful lyrics perfectly fit the groove, before Pini delivers a tension breaking explosion of echo reverb tinged wah-wah. The psychedelic feel recalls early Steve Hillage, but there’s no mistaking his beautifully crafted blues licks.

His second and resolving solo is simply majestic and finds the creative duo seamlessly locked into a mellifluous groove.

And while it might be a stretch to talk about a 4 track EP having an essential flow, each track subtly reveals more about the project and acts as the perfect taster for more to come.

All the more surprise then that the ‘Just Playin’ instrumental closer, is a slice of glorious retro cool that could have been cut in Muscle Shoals.

That said, there’s a palpable Freddie King, Albert Collins and King Curtis influence, on a track that sounds for all the world like a long forgotten classic 60’s r&b track with some stinging guitar and vibrant piano.

Pini adds a sinewy solo complete with Albert Collins chicken squawks as if to pay tribute to the influences at play.

It’s the perfect finish to 4 exhilarating tracks and as the sax fades into the ether it leaves you wanting more. Job done. ****

Review by Pete Feenstra

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

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