The Beat Surrender

With a constant glut of the ‘emotional’, acoustic singer/songwriters at the moment, all being compared to either Nick Drake or John Martyn, it’s rare to actually hear any that can warrant being put in with that lofty company.

Half Chinese and brought up in North Wales and Brighton. Jon moved to the big smoke in 2004, leaving his previous band to start work on a self funded solo album. He met the talented Patrick Durkan who began helping him with more diverse instruments and the arrangements. “May Be Some Time” was the result, produced by Ben Findlay it was completed back in January 2006 and like the earlier comparisons has real emotion and beauty.

The album begins with ‘I’m Still Young’ easing the listener in nicely with a great fiddle jig. “Am I A Fool” tugs the heart strings with a deep cello working nicely under the piano and layered vocals. Redfern creates a relaxing, textured atmosphere with his sound. Music to lay back to, without a doubt.

“All This Time” highlights the brilliantly intricate arrangements, moving into “Demons”, with delicate percussion and a soothing saxophone. Both songs come in two parts, like most of the album. This, combined with a real thread of melody that keeps returning and the theme of ‘coldness and winter onto sunshine and the summer’ gives the album a concept feel. It glides along well with piercing violins and plodding harmonium, although the negative lyrics do become a little much eventually.

“I Love The Sun” stands out. It’s feathered jazz drums and saxophone sound great together, “Somewhere” rounds things off with a very slight tempo rise. The CD contains five bonus tracks, not fitting into the overall feel of things but still pleasant enough with some harmonica featured from Jon.

This is a relaxing and enjoyable album if you’re in the mood to put your feet up, close your eyes and let these talented musicians wash over you.