King Biscuit Time

A week ahead of the release of Black Gold, and days before their UK tour, King Biscuit Time split. Steve Mason the ex Beta Band front man posted the following cryptic message to his fans on his website. “Peace to you all. I'm out of here. It's been amazing but I've had enough. The mountain beat me, and sadly you too / that don't mean you should give up. It just wasn't me. Over and out. Steve xxxx”. He's been incommunicado since releasing the statement and the reasons remain, for now, shrouded in mystery. What a shame. I for one was eagerly anticipating KBT's London gig (Scala) after being seduced by the mesmerising single Kwangchow, from the equally spellbinding psychedelic onion bag that is Black Gold. Mason's trippy sensitive voice looms gently above a multitude of styles. Electronic, pop and hip hop all feature in the unique sound. Fans of the Beta Band will understand. Each track has an atmosphere of wonderment and adventure. Each unfolds a new layer with each listen. Impossible Ride, like many moments on the album, takes you on an enlightening journey of the spirit, with organs, synths, melodica and acoustic guitars for company. Paperhead has an eastern mystical theme and if you imagine the Moody Blues lost in the Himalayas, you may get the gist. And that's what Steve Mason is beautifully able to do, capture a scene, a landscape, a feeling of being far from home but not far from the spirit. The Kraftwerk tinged MetalBiscuit puts an enchanting full stop to an incredible album. The cookie has crumbled, long like the Biscuit.

Rob Barnett, Music News