Barry's exploration of race and colour is realised within this multi hued record. Disturbing in bringing the voice of race hatred to your face and ears, it is also haunting with its dreams of child beauty and innocence as a reworked 007 theme tune. The connection is race. Barry's visceral analysis of racial dynamics is far more penetrating than a thousand social science observations on the same subject.
The difference is Barry has distilled the essence. He is a true musical alchemist. He has found the missing factor X, rather than the X factor. Social science research projects have as much chance of working this form of magic as the alchemist has in transforming base metals into gold. The true alchemist converts his imagination into art based upon something inside him needing to come out. When it emerges it creates a connection. Often due to the autism of public taste this connection may take several generations of reflection before the penny drops into the ocean.
It's not any fault of Barry this album is not being played in every coffee shop up and down the country. He has assembled all of the ingredients, psychological insight, throbbing gristle experimentation, film noir, sex, jazz, ska, soul, cynicism and hope. Carefully measured according to an Adamson secret recipe they have been blended together and crafted into cocktails of perfection.
This album will stand the test of time to become the new sex on the beach.