Anyone with an ear for the shimmery pop of ’60s Motown will certainly be wooed by the soulful pleasures of Gold Road, who release their debut EP “Planes” tomorrow. Featuring members of various established London bands, the band’s brightly crafted melodies are sun-kissed by Haze Tratt’s golden vocals, which are as soothing as they are memorable and put paid to the idea that you can’t hurry love by casting you into an instant romantic swoon. The singer also writes all the songs and has captured the lost spirit of old soul, but with a sense of production restraint which avoids the more garish sensibilities of latter day Berry Gordy efforts.
A quick glance at the band’s website suggests the band is a nine-piece, replete with a brass section, and judging from the material on “Planes” they look set to be quite a formidable live proposition. Opening track “Madeline” is a treat of Supreme proportions, down to the straight-out-of-Motown backing vocals, a killer chorus and blissful, shimmering guitar and horns. Title track “Planes” might just be even better, fusing a dash of reggae with some Shangri-La stomp and a vocal as sweet as it is vulnerable. Something in the band’s blend of Detroit influences and contemporary sensibilities is reminiscent of Camera Obscura in their ability to create something fresh and endearing from familiar sources. Fingers crossed for a Brighton appearance in the near future, but in the meantime you’ll find us dancing in the streets to this sweetly soulful temptation.
“Planes” is released on 1 May 2012.
