SSB (Sloane Square Band) -
Thoughts


(CD 2024, 44:03, Beauport Productions)

The tracks:
  1- Thoughts(5:54)
  2- Odd Love(4:08)
  3- Born(5:03)
  4- Fishes(4:33)
  5- My Father(3:40)
  6- Hiroshima(5:54)
  7- I Will Never...(5:19)
  8- Bag Of Lies(4:49)
  9- Jane(4:43)

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SSB stands for Sloane Square Band and they just released their second studio album Thoughts. Not to be confused with SBB (Silesian Blues Band) or SRB (Steve Rothery Band). This band from France made their debut in 2021 with Guelf and is led by guitarist, singer and composer Claude Segalin. A musician who began making music in the seventies. But I will not go deeper into that chapter of his life. What counts now is the release of the second effort of his band.

Thoughts is a truly interesting product if I may say so. You could say that here is where the meeting between classic rock and progressive rock merge in a fantastic way. Furthermore you could say that this truly interesting album is recalling some great names of the progressive rock scene. It is most of all Pink Floyd that comes to mind thanks to the excellent guitar parts throughout the entire album. But also the participation of the former bass player of this band might have helped to make it move into that musical direction. I am not referring to Roger Waters, but to Guy Pratt, the man who often replaced him on bass in Pink Floyd after 1984. Another guest that moved the sound of the band into that musical direction might be female singer Joniece Jamison. She worked with the Eurythmics and Elton John. Another name that pops up is Unitopia. Because of the excellent vocals of Richard Groulx, which reminded me of Mark Trueack. The wonderful lead singer of this Australian band. So the link is easy made!

Unfortunately you won't find many up tempo tunes on this album. Because most of the material on Thoughts are ballad type songs. Great if you really are into mellow and laidback compositions. Good examples are Bag Of Lies, I Will Never... and Father which are mainly performed on the acoustic guitars and accompanied by some great strings (cello and violins). Another good one is Hiroshima, about the nuclear holocaust of nearly 80 years ago. Here the acoustic guitars are mixed with some strong keyboard and electric guitar parts. The backing vocals done by Jamison certainly reminded me of Pink Floyd's The Great Gig In The Sky. Certainly one of the highlights on the album. For the stuff with a more rock sound you can listen to pieces of music such as Fishes, Odd Love, Born and album closer Jane. Songs on which the electric guitar gets more of a leading role and does it in a perfect way. The songs on this album are not too complex, but it doesn't mean they aren't worth a listen.

Sometimes you don't have to say much about an album because the music speaks for itself. This is such an album right from the start. All I can say if you like ballad type songs with Pink Floyd inspired guitar parts and great vocals in the style of Unitopia Thoughts is the album for you to check out. I loved it right from the start. You probably will like it too it give it a go...

*** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)

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