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.
It shows that drive, inspiration and an unquenchable desire to create something original, can produce an album, with virtually no money and no backing, but still sounds just as good as anything that came out of a studio in the late 60s.
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.
Both Neil and Fuzzy shared a vision, which couldn’t be realised in the studio set-ups they had experienced previously.
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.
They had only the most basic of gear to begin with, an eight-track tape machine, a haphazard collection of microphones and not a computer in sight.
Late nights, frayed nerves, relentless takes, gumption, and talented pool of musical mates is what it took to put these eight tracks in your hand. You can most definitely add sweat and tears to that mix.
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, guitarist Chris Dawkins and Tony Burkill on sax.
The unswerving strive for perfection in the studio has become synonymous with ATA, and Love Of The Brave is where it all started, the first project recorded in the studio.
“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.
Both plaintive and meditative, “Dusted Off” is an easy place to lose oneself for as long as you can, Brit folk with an acid edge.
“Infidel” is an epic track, perhaps the most ambitious of the album. A hammer blow of a track, as majestic as a quest.
Tripped out, circular folk with an edge, “Gustav” is destined for a late night mixtape, or maybe an early morning one.
The album finishes up with “Heron”, a jazz folk jam, cacophonous and soothing in equal doses.
