Second life.
Dave Wilkinson releases his solo debut as David Philips. That is because the Englishman, now operating as a singer-songwriter, is also active in soul and funk bands Phat Fred and Fast3. Charles St. Charles plays the drums again here and in some songs an ethereal flute, Abel Boquera plays keyboards and Philips himself bass, acoustic and electric guitars and mouth organ occasionally.
The singer/guitar player, who recorded at home in Barcelona, confidently chooses for a semi-acoustic atmosphere in the open production, in which his guitars and vocals are at the centre. His often flegmatic vocals contrast effectively with the contents of his lyrics.
Philips’ music experience is in his melodies: they flow naturally and have catchy hooks.
Runaway, an agitated up-tempo rocker, is the only one that doesn’t strike the right tone. In other songs Philips plays electric songs that do underline the mood. Thus he combines originality with tradition, also in the fragile acoustic cover of Wham!’s Freedom.
***1/2