A family affair

Steve Mason – Brothers & Sisters

Former Beta Band frontman Steve Mason has always had plenty of interest to say in his 25 years as a cherished, if undersung, musician. His solo career has been bold musically and outspoken lyrically and his fifth solo album, ‘Brothers & Sisters’, is no exception.

Like many artists, Mason is not best pleased with Brexit but has chosen to channel his anger at prevailing anti-immigration sentiment and policy into a potent and arguably more persuasive musical celebration of British multiculturalism, in particular his love of Indian and Pakistani music, in the company of Pakistani singer Javed Bahir and santoor player Kaviraj Singh.

The album opens with the big synth chords and portentous drumbeat of ‘Mars Man’, before folding in Indian rhythms and Mason’s distinctive mellow mantra vocals. Bahir’s soulful exhortations and Singh’s dulcimer chimes colour a number of tracks, including ‘No More’s insistent contention that “this is the people speaking – we are not the same” and ‘Brixton Fish Fry’s thoughtful electro mantra “I don’t know who we are”.

Mason has also assembled a mini-gospel choir, adding spiritual succour to ‘All Over Again’s plaintive prayer of personal thanksgiving: “you were there to pull me through when all around was breaking”. ‘Travelling Hard’ varies the tone with its northern soul bassline, handclaps and soulful piano, embellished with the shimmer of santoor, while the rootsy, blues-inflected ‘Upon My Soul’ is a more strident artistic call to arms as he surveys there are “no poets in the trenches”. We can think of at least one…