Here, on their first full length outing, they are captured in full flight with a 50:50 split of band originals and covers, and it's a stormer.

They kick off with Michelle Shocked's "If Love Was a Train", and it's Howard Smith who shines on guitar. On the band's own "Get out of Jail", Julian Grudgings leads the line on a keyboard riff that's straight out of the Little Feat catalogue. It's a great swinging tune underpinned by Mike Hellier and Graham Lacey who, it has to be said, are among the tightest rhythm sections around. Julian becomes Bill Payne as they motor to the finish line. 

Next up are two of Howard's songs, "Diplomat" and "Slow Train", both of which appeared on last year's demo but have been revamped. "Remington Ride" is an instrumental shuffle, with Mike jollying it along as Howard goes wah-wah crazy.

"Rhythm of Life" sees the band heading into Steely Dan territory before Howard unleashes an emotional performance on "Brand New Friend". As the title suggests, "T-Bone Shuffle" is ahem... a shuffle. A British band playing two shuffles on one album? Unheard of. But then, very few British drummers can play a decent shuffle. Mike Hellier could play one in his sleep. Again Howard plays a blistering solo over some rollicking good boogie woogie piano and crisp rhythm.  "She's a Burglar" has some lovely Hammond playing and builds up nicely, even if it does have j*zz timings and leanings! The albums' closing track is very apt - "Good Thing is About to Run Out". But then you just press Start and you get it all over again. It's not a difficult decision to make.

The band sound like they had fun making the music. I have fun listening to it. It sounds fresh. What more could you want?

Catch them on tour in Scotland in July. Stop them and buy one. You know it makes sense.

Chris Simmonds