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Mark Rae - Into The Depths So, we come to solo album number two from Mr. Mark Rae, founder of Grand Central Records, ex-half of Rae and Christian, and general man about Manchester town. And where the first album was often a lot of fun, but not always brilliant, Into The Depths is a more ambitious and ultimately more successful work. It certainly delves deeper into the murky waters of production, and clearly demonstrates how Mark has developed as a songwriter.
But developed might not be the right word, because even though there's been a two-year gap between the albums, recording on Into The Depths actually began just a few weeks after Rae Road had been completed. This really demonstrates how broad Rae's skills are, because where he was playful and tactile with his debut, the new release is a much deeper and more soulful experience.
Perhaps most fascinating of all, Mark even sings on this album. In fact, he sings quite a lot, and also extremely well. Sometimes he is accompanying the other vocalists, like Veba, Pete Simpson and Kwasi Asante, but on the final track, San Francisco, he holds it up on his own. With a strong and soulful delivery, there's almost a hint of George Michael about it. The important thing is, it's only when you read the credits that you find out. Up to that point, you're just listening to another well-considered guest vocalist. Not just a deeper album, Into the Depths is a smoother one too.
Unlike Mark Rae's favourite pastime of fishing, there's never a dull moment here, and there's never any temptation to skip tracks, but there are some standout moments. Track 4, Medicine, with Pete Simpson chanting funkily over a tight tight groove that 'we've got to take our medicine', is particularly ear watering. No one knows how to utilise a Horn Section like the Grand Central crew, and Blasted Horns provide hooks so tempting that fishermen could use it as bait. Indeed, it's so upbeat it could definitely be used for medicinal purposes.
A great instrumental in the shape of Rise Up follows this strong vocal track. Perhaps Mark Rae has been playing too much GTA: Vice City like the rest of us, but it could easily have been the theme tune. It doesn't sound like it's trapped in the 80s, but it does sound like a sun-soaked expanse of beachfront property, powered by a sweltering Mellotron, with an ever so slightly sinister undertone to it.
Throughout you can't help but notice the attention that's been paid to the basslines, in particular the sing along (if only you could) vibes of Without You Now, with Veba at her most sugary, soulful and stirringly funky. Not unexpectedly, Depth Charge also offers particular floor-wobbling focus on the lower end of the tonal spectrum. The time that Mark has spent in Jamaica is evident all the way through, although thankfully there are no dangerous knee-crunching dives into the shallow end of the reggae pool.
But best of all, aside from the great production, incidental details like the use of both twinkling harp and piano lines at interesting points, there are two really brilliant songs. Both fronted by Veba, Reach Out To Me and Clip My Wings are going to appear on a lot of getting ready to go out compilation cds for a long time to come. Veba tells us on the chorus of Clip My Wings that she wants to get high before said wings are clipped. Mark augments these poignant words for the contemporary age, and it's clear that this is man intrinsically driven to make great music and take Grand Central to even greater heights. Or perhaps that should be depths. Scuba Diving Certification not required.
(We interviewed Mark a few months ago. Read it here.)
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