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Micheil Reid: Fretless

This was something of a retro journey - originally recorded at Progressive Studios and released in 1989, this self-funded album was re-mastered at Stebbings for CD release this year. Styles vary from the UB40-like opening track, through several somewhat loungey flavoured reflections, to the gentle-yet-strong There's a Place. The album title is a play on words between the fretless bass (prominently featured on Birds With Wings) and the hope Reid finds in his very evident faith. Players include such Christian music regular contributors as Bob Shepherd, Steve Garden, Alan Brown, Darlene Adair and Guy Wishart, with Auckland singer/songwriter Mark Laurent's distinctive influence as co-producer evident throughout. Considering '80s music's penchant for cheesy keyboard sounds, this album is remarkably restrained in its production, with tasteful use of Brian Smith's sax skills. Songwriting styles have developed over the intervening years, but with that taken into account, 'Fretless' makes a very worthy transition into the 21st Century. Available directly from the artist, email: mrgalaxy@free.net.nz

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