Made In Basing Street [2CD Deluxe] [Deluxe Edition]

Finally the Producers album is out after several years of rumour and promise [ and the false start of the single release "Barking up the Wrong Tree"].Still, Im very happy to report that it has been worth the wait,as the combined talents of Trevor Horn, Stephen Lipson, Lol Creme and Ash Soan use their knowledge and experience to great effect.

Where many "supergroup" albums can sound dispirate and unfocused, Made in Basing Street utilises the strengths of each individual to produce a coherent and focused set of classy modern adult rock / pop. Sensibly, Horn's influence is perhaps the most prevailant, but only insofar as his productions are so noticeable.

On the first disc, you get 10 songs that showcase each members talents, but in subtle ways, whereas, the second disc offers some really interesting extended mixes and minor reworks, nothing outstanding, but worth having for the extra couple of quid, [ oh, and dont switch cd 2 off after the extended version of Freeway, hint hint!].

The Producers are an amalgamation of many years of great music making, and that level of class just oozes throughout Made in Basing Street.There are no rough edges or concessions to modern music trends, just a series of crafted songs made by people who know, and genuinely care about their art. For example, I doubt few albums this year will open with a track as good as Freeway, which really does set the tone for the album.

Whether an album like Made in Basing Street can do the business in the current musical climate is open to debate, but those who discover it [ I suspect mainly the over forties], are not unlikely to feel short changed if they know the backgrounds of the Producers [ and the artists they have worked with].

Although there are few real musical innovations, the real surprise is that Made in Basing Street is that most unlikely of albums, an album of songs by four very rich and successful musicians that is actually worth listening to repeatedly,and I cant say fairer than that

Having read a review of this album, i thought I'd give it a try. Not surprisingly the production on the album is excellent. The songs are easy to get into, and will grow on you. Buy the 2CD version, the extra material is definitely worth having with a surprise ghost track at the end. With Lol Creme contributing there wer hints of the brilliance that were 10cc in their prime and Trevor Horn should need no introduction (but his bass playing may be a pleasant surprise to some). I really like this albumm; hope you will to!

It was refreshing to hear an experienced group of musicians producing very up-to-date music with great gusto!
One can hear traces of their origins in some tunes but others are very modern
and altogether a very good album.