Wille & The Bandits work up a storm before heading into a jukebox to fit any mood.

Straight out of the Deep South…

I suppose Cornwall counts as the the Deep South of the UK with its own identity shaped by wild coastlines, Atlantic weather and a landscape that breeds grit and soul. A record that reaches into questions of identity, environmental responsibility, and belonging to the land. “A special record to me because it truly reflects where we are right now,” says Wille, “rooted in the coastline that’s shaped us and the experiences that have defined us. It feels honest and fearless.” One reflected in the musical soul and grit that swings into action with Wheal Jane (falling heavy like a steam train) accompanied by a choral chant and the pumping stomp of a sweat stained work song to make a striking initial impact to Salt Roots.

The opening energy is maintained, nay boosted by a Trouble Round The Bend 9(or should that be U bend – how many bands write a song about a sewage crisis) that captures the feel and energy of musicians playing together,in the same room, amps fizzing and dialled up to eleven. It also establishes one of the defining elements to the sound – that of the contribution of Stevie Watts on Hammond organ whose swirling tones evoke gospel halls, swampy blues bars, and the familiar warmth of vintage rock records.

SO FUNKY IT HURTS

Having said that, the opening onslaught that includes a fiery King Kong, may be a false awakening as the mood is parked and the template torn up. Style Thing should surely be retitled Style ‘Thang‘. Channeling a combination of Prince and Seventies American cop shows set in The Bronx, (think Huggy Bear in Starsky & Hutch) given the ‘so funky it hurts’ chops that rear up unexpectedly following the previous bluster. They got the moves.

The sentiment of the dreamy acoustic Take My Shoulder (for a darker tone listen up for Sail Away) that wouldn’t be out of place in the MOR hands of Mike & The Mechanics, taking us miles away from the hard edged and boisterous opening. The easy yacht Rock and cool vibe of Reina Del Mar and album closer Homeward Bound add a balance weighed up against the rustic grit Stand Up and Know My Name (and that Hammond). Salt Roots personifies the notion of the band never sitting comfortably in one genre; pushing boundaries, exploring new sounds, and following ideas wherever they lead keep us on our toes

You sense a perverse pleasure in being hard to pigeonhole with a songwriting nous that thrives on being instinctive, raw, and driven by feel yet not bound by it. Salt Roots gives a lesson in unpredictability, swinging comfortable between the diverse musical paths they’ve trodden over the years.

With that organ sound conjuring up hues of Deep Purple, here’s Trouble Round The Bend:

Wille & The Bandits: Website

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