Supergroups are always fun to watch. Famous and talented musicians coming together to form a band makes for an intriguing plot line, mainly to see if they can work together. Formed in 2006, Producers are Trevor Horn (bass, vocals), Steve Lipson (guitar), Lol Crème (guitar, vocals), and Ash Soan (drums) and they appear to be getting along just fine. With hit singles and albums that number in the hundreds, Producers are packing an impressive resume and they can add Made in Basing Street to the list hit albums. If you are looking for beautiful, heartfelt music that will enthrall you, then look no further.
Made in Basing Street opens with “Freeway,” a melodic song reminiscent of 80s pop but with a modern feel. In keeping with its lyrical theme, it makes for a great cruising track and I can imagine it playing over a movie scene with the characters hitting the open road. There is a real zest for life flowing through this one. “Waiting for the Right Time” slows the tempo down and brings in some sensuality to the music and “Your Life” is a song that has all the right touches. It will take you on a wild ride that will do a number on your emotions with its moving vocals. Following it up is the uplifting “Man on the Moon.”
“Every Single Night in Jamaica” is an energetic song that rises at the right point when the chorus hits that makes you want to jam along. “Stay Elaine” is a breezy tune that brings up images of sunny summer days, clear blue water, and warm sun beneath your feet. “Barking up the Right Tree” continues the laid-back tone of music. It is a good song to sing along and sway your body to. “Garden of Flowers” is the perfect pop rock song with music that touches the soul and “You & I” brings the album to an end on a rocking note.
The deluxe edition of Made in Basing Street comes with an extra disc of five songs with three of them being extended or alternate versions of songs on the first disc and two new ones, “Seven” and “There’s Only So Much You Can Do.” The extended version of “Your Life” starts off disc two and I have to say that I like this one more. I find it easier to get caught up in the music with this version because of the extra time. The alternative version of “Garden of Flowers” has cool progressive rock energy in the beginning that sets it apart from the original version. “There’s Only So Much You Can Do” is reason enough to get the deluxe edition for the fantastic guitar on it. The extended version of “Freeway” runs at more than twice the length of the original and it uses that extra time to add a seriously rocking jam in the second half.
Made in Basing Street is the type album to buy if you are looking for some sweet tunes that will expand your musical horizons. It is a joy to listen to and the musicianship is akin to the delicate strokes of a master painter. Let us hope that Made in Basing Street is not the last that we hear from Producers.
Key Tracks: Freeway, Your Life, Man on the Moon, Garden of Flowers Brian McKinnon – Sr. Founder MuzikReviews.com Staff
August 25, 2012
