It always seems a little awkward to refer to Steve Mason as “..the former singer in the Beta Band“, but given that the 90’s rarely threw up anything better, it’s still valid for all it’s contrived. Doggedly refusing to capitalise on their legacy, the Scot has piloted a solo career that’s been on his terms throughout, on the way dodging any slide into complacency.
That was he’s since admitted until listening back to his last album About The Light, which sounded perfectly good to most of us, but to his mind was striving for acceptance in a way that went against the grain. Brothers & Sisters accordingly is fuelled by a rejection of betraying his instincts, a record in pursuit of keeping the creative flame alive.
It’s also turbocharged by his rage at the political status quo – and as a consequence he sets out on it to infuse elements of musics that have enriched Britain’s greatly over the last sixty years. There are still nods to the past – most obviously on the BB referencing I’m On My Way – but the signature moments come when Pakistani artist Javed Bashir lifts Brixton Fish Fry charismatically and on the title track, where Mason vows to find release in the hedonism of a warehouse rave. Stepping out of your comfort zone and into the world has rarely sounded better.
You can read a full review here.
The Voice Of Unreason 
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