Samuel Purdey
Musically Adrift

Someone might wonder who is Samuel Purdey?

The answer is mathematical: a name can encapsulate more English elements: Gavin Dodds and Barney Hurley.

Gavin Dodds (voice and guitar) played for a while both in the studio and live with the group Jamiroquai while the other Samuel Purdey, Barney Hurley (drums and percussion) collaborated mainly for the record label Acid Jazz.

Samuel Purdey was born as a duo in 1993 and their first official album is from Good Sounds: “Musically Adrift” (1999).

“Musically Adrift” is the MAGNIFICENT result of a sum of a varied collaboration with musicians who grew up in very respectable musical environments (John Lennon, Jamiroquai, Steely Dan) and a passion for some SACRED MONSTERS of the '70s-'80s (Steely Dan, Chicago, Doobie Brothers, Boz Scaggs, Tower of Power...).

THE DETAILS:

“Whatever I Do”:

What more can be said except ELECTRIFYING!!!! This piece, from the first notes of the piano and bass, gave me a jolt to the heart and a truly intense emotion. A marriage of very Doobie Brothers soul flavors, enhanced by the “fagenian” piano special and all seasoned by Dodds' warm voice, making the album's start truly promising.

“Valerie”:

A love song that takes us back to the summer choruses of the Beach Boys (in their sweet odes to women) and to the strong> soul and sophisticated musicality of Hall & Oates. What woman wouldn’t want to be called Valerie and have a piece like this dedicated to her?? :)

“Lucky Radio”:

Now we come to the “famous” track by Samuel Purdey, which reached 5th place on the “Tokyo Hot 100” Singles Chart...this shows how much our Japanese friends really know about music. It talks about the salvific power of the Radio during the less pleasant moments of the day and does so in a caressing language of strings cheered by successive alternations of super groove of drums and percussion. An obvious nod to the extraordinary masterpieces of Michael McDonald.

“Only When I’m With You”

Dance dance dance all the way, as my peers today would say (ahhh spoiled youth) which, however (eheheheheh there’s always a however dear twenty-year-olds) does not detract from the high expectations of the more attentive listener. The duet slightly recalls the very successful one between Al Jarreau and Randy Crawford (Casino Lights: Live At Montreux) and even the voice of Dodds' partner, Donna Gardier, resembles the aforementioned artist. The chorus with the vocoder is ostentatious, but we fans of the '70s LOVE IT!! The dynamics of the sax are delightful.

“I Can't Move No Mountains”

A cover of Blood, Sweat & Teeth is a pearl among pearls. Not far from the original except for the rhythmic strength...BEAUTIFUL!!

“Late For The Day” and “One Of A Kind”

“On-the-road” tracks to listen to during a road trip in a convertible car on the famous ROUTE 66. Beautiful arrangements very much like Steely Dan.

“Santa Rosa”

Perhaps the only track a bit subdued compared to the others and less engaging, but still with clear references to the famous duo Steely Dan. The guitar riffs are nice, but the choirs “muddy” things up a bit.

“Soon Comes Another”

If the intro deceives you with the sensation of a slow piece, the blow on the ride of the drums awakens you from the numbness of the previous track. Subtle flavors of Supergrass...at least that's what they remind me of. Cute.

“Bitter With The Sweet”

Ohh masterpiece! And here it ends as it began. Notable is the rhythmic part, the bass drives me crazy, and the sweetness of the voice makes it clear (even to those who know little English like me) that it's about love. Steely Dan returns again.

The album is a masterpiece and if my (first ever) review made you say 'WOW I WANT TO HEAR IT' then my work was not in vain.

Let me conclude by saying: “Guys, it’s hard to write about the feelings a record gives you!”

Thanks, Fla