In Trouble –  Joel Sarakula (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

Whilst other artists try to create the future, attempt to build new genres, force musical styles together in an attempt to stay ahead of the curve, Joel Sarakula knows that there is a better way. He carefully sifts through the past, gathers his favourite sounds and uses those building blocks to create music which both nods to the past and carries some of its musical ideals into a new sunrise and present it to a new audience but without resorting to the nostalgia ticket. This is music of the here and now, but for once it is honest enough to wear its musical heart on its velvet jacketed sleeves.

In Trouble is a sumptuous collection of sounds, revelling in funky grooves, soulful vocals, gently flexed R&B muscle and a psychedelic pop coating. It tips its natty fedora to a glorious pop heritage whilst striding confidently into a hazy, paisley patterned future. Music is cyclical, we all know that and such stridently groovesome music has never really gone out of fashion, not once you get beyond the fabrications and corporate facades of the modern music business. Some may see this as a retro laced musical exercise, and that is fair enough, but having accepted that music is cyclical and fashions always come back around I prefer to see Joel as way ahead of the curve rather than still riding the last wave.