Love Of The Brave

This album is proof you can make a tripped out, psyche folk, pop record, that sounds like something unearthed by Andy Votel or Johnny Trunk, in a draughty garage in deepest, darkest Leeds in 2010.

Love Of The Brave’s self-titled slice of swirling Brit-folk is a labour of belief, the believers in this case being ATA Records label boss, and bassist, Neil Innes and his band mate, vocalist Fuzzy Jones. This was the music being made at ATA Records studio before they were even really a label, now, of course, well respected for their funk, jazz and library music output.

Inspired by the work of artists as diverse as: Pentangle, Rotary Connection, Richie Havens, the Kinks, David Bowie and Joni Mitchell, they embarked on a brutal nine months of recording.

Some of the pool of players included on this album became ATA regulars, playing extensively on the some of the label’s most recent recordings. These include drummer Joost Hendrickx (the Sorcerers), guitarist Chris Dawkins and Tony Burkill (work Money Death) on sax.

“Find My Way” introduces the listener to Fuzzy, a singer whose urban-folk, soaked tones twist around the hench drums and meadowy guitar. A horn arrangement opens this Kinks-eque tale of woman’s unrequited love for a porpoise. An “Untold Story” as old as time. Guitarist Chris Dawkins adds as touch as light as a feather to “Hey Girl”, the perfect companion for Fuzzy. “Le Champ” is evocative and folk storytelling that’s draws you close the hearth of Fuzzy’s voice, think Yorkshire Joni Mitchell.

“Infidel” is an epic track, perhaps the most ambitious of the album. A hammer blow of a track, as majestic as a quest. The album finishes up with “Heron”, a jazz folk jam, cacophonous and soothing in equal doses.