Bruce Foxton
Back in the Room

Well, who would have thought. A couple of years ago, the bassist of The Jam, having reconciled with Paul Weller, along with colleague Rick Buckler and Weller-clone Russel Hastings, took the trio's music on tour as "From The Jam."

They released a DVD as a faithful reinterpretation of the trio from Woking's music and wondered if it might also be time to release new music.

"Back in the Room" is the result of this seemingly risky choice, lacking what the group had as its mastermind.

Meanwhile, Rick Buckler left the group, replaced by the experienced Mark Brzezicki. The album is released as a Bruce Foxton album, but it's really a collaboration where the star is singer and guitarist Russel Hastings.

What's more surprising is that Paul himself participates in some of the album's recordings, even offering his studio.

Despite the assumptions, the album flows pleasantly. The sound is clearly derivative of The Jam's triptych All Mod Cons-Setting Sons-Sound Affects.

Bruce reserves only a few lead vocals for himself, but what's more surprising is the guitarist, so much so that one might be tempted to confuse him with Paul Weller.

But the more unsettling question is whether a potential new album by The Jam could surpass this "Back in the Room." Worth mentioning is the instrumental "Ride," the Wellerian ballads "Glad I Found My Tears" and "Coming On Strong," while "Number Six" and "Window Shopping" could find a place in a contemporary album by The Jam.

Approach with curiosity and without prejudice. The trio's second effort "Smash the Clock" should be out any day now.