So. this week sees the release of the wonderful “Purple Paradise” by Devon’s finest purveyors of all things Reggae, The Barefoot Bandit. I first encountered this West Country sextet when “taking a punt” on a band I’d never seen or heard before, who just happened to be playing in Bournemouth. I was blown away by their energy, stagecraft and above all else their songs – it’s as if they’d been around for years. I wasted no time in buying their debut album, Hello Welcome, which remained on permanent rotation in the car that month. Wind forward two years as they unleash this wonderful new single upon us.
“Purple Paradise” features the dulcet tones of one Shniece Macmenamin, complimenting this Summery, happy-go-lucky Reggae number. Simple lyricism, unfussy arrangements over a gentle backbeat – it’s the sound of swaying bodies and feet moving on a Summer’s day in a festival setting. Songs this good may not get aired on daytime radio but for those of us that know, this is a thing of beauty. The Barefoot Bandit have a big hometown show coming up this Friday (November 15th) at the Exeter Phoenix. If like me you are new to these guys, then do like me and take a punt on them – at £6.50 adv it’s a steal and you wont be disappointed. If it’s half as good as their last minute addition to the “Bimble Inn Stage” @ Beautiful Days Festival back in August then you are in for a treat. And if you can’t make the show then invest in this great new single!
Links
https://www.wearetbb.com
https://facebook.com/thebarefootbandit
https://linktr.ee/wearetbb
Review by Ross A. Ferrone
