Check Masses have released their new album ‘Nightlife’.
The Edinburgh supergroup are a collective whose combined music experience spans several decades across the music history of Edinburgh, including singer ‘Philly’ Angelo Collins, multi-instrumentalist Vic Galloway and producer Saleem Andrew McGroarty.
Out now via Triassic Tusk Records, the 10-track album is a kaleidoscope of sound, that spans hip-hop, dub, electronic and psychedelia influences.
Speaking of the album, the band said: “Making the ‘Nightlife’ album was really organic and natural – we wrote, performed, recorded and produced the songs entirely in our home studios, and it was a relaxing, fun process. Musically we drew influence from whatever we liked as we went along, so you hear a melting pot of psychedelia, soul, hip-hop beats, rock’n’roll guitars, dubby bass, acoustic guitars and classic songwriting in there. Anything was possible really!”
To celebrate the release, we caught up with the band to discover 5 tracks that influenced ‘Night Life’.
Link Wray – Rumble | Listen via Spotify
Vic Galloway (Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keys, Melodica, Percussion & Production) – I played lots of the instruments on the album, and I suppose one recurring theme is the twangy guitars covered in distortion, reverb and tremolo. I love that classic 1950’s/1960’s sound and go back to it continually. There are many innovators and pioneers of the guitar I could have included here, but it doesn’t get much better than the 1958 Link Wray instrumental, ‘Rumble’. Its raw simplicity and sonic attack continues to enthral and entice loads of guitarists, including me. I never tire of listening to it, and his music is never far away from any DJ set or playlist. I’m glad to have found a 7″ vinyl 45rpm single of it recently too.
Donovan – Get Thy Bearings | Listen via Spotify
Andy – This song is a classic! From the Mellow Yellow man’s ‘Hurdy Gurdy’ LP, it has everything Check Masses loves. A hard, hip-hop type beat, conscious, folky vocals and lyrics, lovely acoustic guitar and bass, with heavy Jazz-influenced Sax. The song lyrics really encapsulate our approach to life and music: “Get your bearings, know your time. Don’t you worry, the weathers fine…Get together, work it out, Simplicity is what it’s about.”
A Tribe Called Quest – Lyrics to Go | Listen via Spotify
Andy McGroarty (Beats, Bass, Keys, Samples, Percussion & Production) – Hip Hop was such a strong and powerful force in our musical upbringing. We were lucky to live through what is now known as the ‘Golden Era of Hip Hop’ and no band represents that time and sound more than ATCQ. Trying to pick a favourite song from them was very difficult as there are so many! But we went for ‘Lyrics to Go’ from their ‘Midnight Marauders’ LP. The Minnie Ripperton ‘Inside My Love’ sample is genius, so clever and innovative and the beat and production is sonically in a league of it’s own! Topped off with Q-Tip and Phife’s inimitable lyrics makes this one of Hip Hop’s finest moments.
The Beatles – It’s All Too Much | Listen via Spotify
Philly Angelo Collins (Lead Vocals) – Although not a starting point for the album as a whole, the more we started delving into sounds the more it became apparent that this was the direction the album was going in. Both these songs (this and ‘The Arcs’) were recorded many years apart, but encapsulate a mysteriousness which we as a band definitely love. ‘It’s All Too Much” with its endless harmonies, constant rolling drum fills, and bounce on top of bounce make the song this majestic wee masterpiece that still sounds like it could have been recorded last week… well, it is The Beatles after all!”
The Arcs – Young | Listen via Spotify
Philly – The Arcs ‘Young’ is another gem with its haunting palette of sounds although it sounds sparse there’s a lot to enjoy, echoey keyboards distorted vocals and distant harmonies all make for a great gumbo that CHECKMASSES love and relate to…Ta Daa!!!
You can stream Check Masses new album below or download your copy via Bandcamp!