Following on from 2017’s excellent ‘Love & Austerity’ Pama International return with the show-stopping ‘The Altruistic Sound Of…’ The beautifully crafted blend of influences from Northern Soul, Ska, Reggae and Gospel make for an intoxicating nostalgia kissed release. Opener ‘Get Up Off Your Knees’ bursts with, “Lord help me”, overtures, brass and stunning female vocals which elegantly simmer just above the song’s surface. ‘Sure You know The Price (But Do You Know The Cost)’ follows the opener down the Gospel aisle before ‘Stop The War On The Poor’ resonates with Sunday morning melancholy and the title couldn’t be more apt for Great Britain circa 2019.
A late night ‘The Depths I Raise’ flickers neon on rain-sodden cobbles and the track has a southern twist of unplugged Crowes-esque harmony, it’s sublime. The duo of ‘You Are So Beautiful To Me’ and ‘Love You (Wake Up)’ both bubble with laconic duvet rolling and butterfly kisses across tingling skin. ‘Sun On My Window’ is poetry sung without backing notes before a heart-bruising ‘Let Me Down Gently’ draws a close to this sun streaking through the clouds release. The past has never sounded so loved.
PAMA INTERNATIONAL
‘THE ALTRUISTIC SOUL SOUND OF…’
Happy people records.
8/10