‘Wings of Salvation’ is Troy Redfern’s fourteenth (yes, 14th!) album and arguably his best to date. Opening with the funky, lively ‘Gasoline’, the hooky riff and slithery pop grab your attention instantly. The drumming gives a loose, scrappy feel but is actually tight and holds the song together, this and the optimistic lyric instantly brings on a positive mood. This Blues Pop mood continues with ‘Sweet Carolina’, replace Redfern’s leather and leopard for glitter and platforms and it is a song that would have made the top forty in the seventies. Redfern snarls his way through it effectively and his guitar solo is distorted and lush.

Despite the California styling; black hair, goatee, hat, lace shirt, and leather bootcuts Redfern hails from the UK, dubbed the ‘king of slide guitar’ he has toured the UK extensively over the last few years, honing his skills, (if you are into Blues, you’d be hard pushed not to have seen him live as he’s toured with several bands in the last two years) and it all comes together on ‘Wings of Salvation’.

‘Come On’ has a seasoning of ZZ Top that gives it real groove, it makes you want to head for the long open road, if you’re on the wrong continent for Interstate 10 you can always try the M25 at 2am. ‘Navajo’ is a funky jitterbug of a country song, perfect banjo guitar sound and dustbowl growl. The album takes a more chilled turn with ‘Mercy’, a slow drawl of a song, ostensibly a song of heartbreak. ‘Can’t Let Go’ continues with the laid back, almost ballads before leading into even more desolate territory with ‘Darker Religion’. It doesn’t quite sit with the other songs but has a cinematic quality which would make it perfect for the sound track of modern Western.

‘Profane’ is hot stepping rock n roll, frenetic drumming, guitar squeals and runs, the energy never lets up creating a song of mayhem and chaos. ‘Down’ slows things down a bit its slouchy distorted groove is sinuous and wild.

For me ‘Heart and Soul’, the last track, is possibly my favourite track on the album, we move back to a heavy Dustbowl Blues style. The guitar sound is as distorted as a shimmering water mirage in a heat haze with a solo that screeches out into the ether.

Dave Marks’ (Hans Zimmerman) production is tight and the sound is mighty, the songs were recorded in complete takes to keep it fresh and authentic. ‘Wings of Salvation’ is a real easy album to listen to, uplifting enough to get your arse into gear or for a mind clearing evening drive, it lifts spirits and give moments for reflection.

Review by Helen Bradley

7.5/10

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