Steve Robinson: Undercurrent

• Released: Out now
• Rating: 10/10

Sunshine state + Brit songwriter = Magic.

This gorgeous, yes gorgeous album is Steve Robinson‘s second album, hot on theheels of 2005’s Away For The Day, and what an impressive one it is too.

Robinson is a one-time side kick of Byrds legend Roger McGuinn and former frontmanof Florida folk combo The Headlights. Undercurrent is an audiodelight from start to finish. The Englishman, relocated many years in Florida,has certainly benefitted from his time Stateside, because this 10-tracker is,in most part, drenched in sunshine.

There couldn’t be a better record label name for him to appear on, with sun-kissedmelodies and harmonies aplenty, you instantly warm to his songwriting charms.With a lot of the past and present, both musically and lyrically filtering through,it makes for fascinating listening. His success is combining his Englishnesswith his present location.

Opener Wooden Hill is a lament about his dearly departed mother withtender lines , “I see her every time I close my eyes / I can’t believe howmuch I need her in my life.”

Robinson’s English roots seep through on a song about his daughter Emma –Please Emmalene. On this there’s a touch of Jimmy Page-styled mandolin. Another English connection is The Beatles-styled Love Is Real.

Macca could well be playing piano and the guitarist could be George Harrison.Even the song’s title is a Fab Four cert, whereas Forget About Love, alighweight rocker, has more of an American feel, with bouncing banjo and southernrock guitar solos and masses of harmonica, a la Ry Cooder.

Drawing on his undeniable folk sensibilities, he’s not afraid to impart hissocial conscience and observation via a gentle acoustic delight – Road ToRuin – a comment on global conflict: “Holy rhymes and pledges grave /That one kills and this one saves / You’ll have lots of flags to wave / On theroad to ruin.”

In the background there’s a simple but menacing string arrangement thattexturises the acoustic picks.

On Class Clown, there’s shades of Crosby,Stills, Nash And Young,especially on the supreme harmonies which are carried along by its steady pace,which also find themselves on Wasted And Waiting, which, towards itsclose, is transformed by some sublime violin by Celtic fiddler Victor Gagnon.

I’m In Trouble (Again) is a definite tribute to Celtic/English folk, withflutes and mandolin dressing the sweetest of melodies.

Modern pop culture doesn’t escape his attention either. Boring God,through a not so obvious Beatles template, he digs with, “All the right movesand necessary poses / Praying to the stars looking down their noses.”.Unlike so many artists, Robinson hasn’t suffered the dreaded ‘ second album’ syndrome.

Just about every song fits the BBC Radio 2 playlist. So, Steve, send it onover to the Beeb, right now !

File under: Very classy album.