It's been a bumper year for The Indications family - drummer Aaron Frazer has already released his debut solo album. Now comes Durand Jones & The Indications' third album, Private Space.
It’s a month for soul artists to broaden their styles – as Yola has, Durand Jones & The Indications have broadened their style to funk and disco, as well as their usual retro soul style.
Private Space (a reference to lockdown?), builds on the gradual success of their first two albums, but it’s more focused, more aiming for success. Lead single Witchoo is seductive – “Bodies talk between the lines and we’re both reading it” – underpinned with a Giorgio Moroder dance beat, while Reach Out is the security of a loving relationship (“if you need me, you just need to reach out”) – it’s pure Hall & Oates.
The Way That I Do channels The Bee Gees, while Ride Or Die and Sexy Thang are their usual Philadelphia soul style. The latter though is a little too Hot Chocolate for my liking…
Its only misstep is Love Will Work It Out – it considers the US’s history of lynchings and the impact of the pandemic (“Folks overtaken by disease; all the people lost made me fall right onto my knees; all I could do is cry and shout”). But then it flips to a twee chorus “Joy will set us free, if you do believe”. Shame, because the tune is pure Earth, Wind & Fire and it’s brilliant.
Overall, it's another cool soul album, and really there aren't many artists making albums in this style. Well worth a listen, just hope they sharpen the lyrics next time.
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