London based singer/songwriter Charles Stuart has recently released his new album, The Man Who Likes Watching, on the Slowfoot label. It is a record of startling beauty, with an aura you can sense connecting to you. His voice is significant and striking; for all its beautiful warmth, tone and spirit, there is a subtlety, as well as a dynamism, at work that sets the moods and equally guides the swings on his album.
Some resolve has clearly gone into pushing the musical boundaries here. As the organic and electronic flecks and splashes summon the nuances of a kaleidoscope, tipping the mirrors and the balance just enough to push the forms in and out of shape. To keep you guessing just when you think, you assume where Charles's songs are taking you. This makes the vibe interesting, refreshingly different and not at all predictable without interrupting the flow. I like that.
Charles is performing gigs in London and working on other musical projects that include the sub-aquatic observations of dub, jazz, afro-beat, krautrock and electronica that is Snorkel. I was fortunate to catch him during his downtime and we chewed hard on the global fat.
So, Charles, how are things from where you are sitting?
Well Paul, right now I am sitting in the living room and its very peaceful. The sun is out, the birds are singing and what would really top it off nicely would be a lovely cup of cinnamon tea! The album has been out a few weeks now and we're steadily starting to gig the songs with a mostly new band. I'm feeling good about the way things are starting to sound. I guess you could say we're starting to sound a bit like a band! (Lots of chin-stroking) Oh, and my local football team (soccer) were almost relegated, but managed to stay up thanks to some divine intervention. All in all things are working out. But hey, they always do, right ?
Sounds all good Charles. Tell me something about your background, your roots?
I grew up one of eight children in Upton park, east London. (This might give you a clue as to who my local football team is)
Yes indeedy, it has to be West Ham United.
Well my parents came to London in the late 50's from Dominica to live and work. There was a fair sized west Indian community in east London in the 1970's, so there was always a generous helping of reggae, soca and calypso in the air, as well as coul, funk, jazz and rock.
One out of eight kids, bet that was busy around the dinner table?
Article comments