Super review by Cal Gibson, of The Secret Soul Society.

Multi-instrumentalist Rowan Oliver previously spent seven years drumming for Goldfrapp as well as working with heavyweights such as Plaid and Add N To (X) – plenty of muso chops to call upon then, for sure.

Quickbeam sees him stepping up and stepping out with 12 tracks of expansive, cinematic music-making full of verve and brio. Developed over a number of years the collection hangs together sweetly, with Oliver playing everything bar the brass parts.

The vibe is soundtracks and sunsets, emotionally charged beats and pieces that bob and weave and entice the listener in. Think Alan Hawkshaw meets Charles Stepney uptown and you’re not far off.

The rolling keys of People (Not Statues) calls forth visions of 4 Hero in its melding of electronics and acoustic soul. Beats bounce, synths wobble, a cosmos sketched out in deft brush strokes. Accomplished compositional work indeed.

Road of Dreams is jaunty, beefed up music-making that swings into life with a smile on its face and a bagful of clever ideas to share. Willowy synth lines lay off against solid bass figures as the horns lay down the law. Excellent.

Peace Go With You echoes Gil Scott Heron’s vintage prayer for humanity with another souled-out expanse of goodness. The beats crack hard, brass punctuating the vibe. Heavy soul for hard times.

Moth Nor Rust shakes it’s moneymaker caustically, bringing to mind Sven Wunder perhaps with it’s clever nips and tucks around the compositional houses. Oliver’s grasp of groove and dynamics is spot on, he’s put together a really solid collection of intricately detailed sonic goodness.

There’s plenty to admire, lots to come back to, a whole world conjured up with wit, style and verve. This is a collection that will work wherever you care to play it, back rooms and basements, deep soul for those in need of aural comfort. Excellent all round.

Rowan Oliver Quickbeam is out now on Soundweight Records.