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Rating: Sometimes the story behind the creation of a work is more interesting than the work itself. In the case of “the sound of Mcalmont & Butler” (1996), one could say that the intrigue is on par with the quality of the work itself. The context is important: Bernard Butler, the historic guitarist of the early Suede and, by many accounts the best British guitarist of his generation - the one after Johnny Marr, to be clear - is determined not to join another band and is figuring out a way to escape the Britpop grinder. He has just two names and sounds in mind: Dusty Springfield and Scott Walker.
Not only that, but he has a handful of musical ideas seized from the Dog Man Star sessions and is looking for a voice to complete them. He meets David Mcalmont at a live show of his band at the time, The Thieves, and is impressed. A few days later, they write a hit: Yes. A track that bounces onto Top of the Pops, with a rousing version performed on Jools Holland right in front of the aforementioned Dusty Springfield!
Another single “you do”, another heavyweight track filled with a soul so unusual for that era. Mcalmont & Butler have no desire to make an album or embark on a tour. Butler is so resistant to the system that he only cares about completing the CDs with a handful of B sides: CD1 and CD2.
Given the success of the two singles and the guitar hero's reluctance, the label's best move is to combine the hits with the B-sides, hence “the sound of Mcalmont & Butler” is released.
A makeshift compilation then? Judging it more than twenty years after its release, I’d say definitely not: the quality of the writing is exceptionally high, with intertwining moments reminiscent of Prince (what’s the excuse this time?), Marvin Gaye (“don’t call it soul”), and 60's echoes (the aforementioned Yes and “although”).
Bernard produces and directs the work, assisted by a slew of historic names (Mike Hedges), who soon would make history (Nigel Goldrich takes his first steps as a sound engineer on this album). A work definitely worth rediscovering, especially in the 3-CD special edition full of video curiosities and interviews.
On a side note: Bernard Butler has never officially expressed why he left Suede. Following his artistic journey and having also met him in person recently, I can, however, assume that the only reason is that the band was engulfed by such interest and pressure that even today the guitarist and producer (Duffy, Paloma Faith, Sophie Ellis Bextor) does not seek. I continue to admire him for this integrity.
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