Sweet Sweat - Maximum Saturation

 

Released on Nick Frater's Great Sheiks label, London Trio, Sweet Sweat  have released a wonderfully loose debut album. Recorded at State Of The Ark studios in London on the Rolling Stones old EMI desk and produced and engineered by Frater (Does the man ever sleep?), this is Rock in every sense of the word.

The Stones recorded Start Me Up on the desk and that gives you some idea of the direction and sound.  All the vintage gear was intentionally recorded to sound like it could have been made in early 70s.. They describe it as Garage Rock played in a Pub or Pub Rock played in a Garage, this is a little unfair because at times there is a UK Beat feel to proceedings.

This though would be a UK Beat with lots and lots of solos. The looseness is almost jamming at times, but the direction is clear. Songs are built on Riffs a la Black Crowes, but the material is far more reminiscent of Stray or Man. 

The drum sound sounds far more natural, sort of early AC/DC whose drums sounded more rehearsal studio than modern recording studio which perfectly fits the sound and aim of Maximum Saturation. The album was recorded a while ago  and almost came out then until life got in the way for all. 

It sat on a shelf until Nick Frater decided the world should hear it and mastered the album, specifically because it was a definite electric led reaction to what 2020 had offered up, hence the 1st January 2021 release date to ensure it was the sound of music untouched by the pandemic.

This release deserves your attention. It is a reminder of the album age and is certainly "Heavy Man", but is the type of album that isn't made any more. Steve Lowe's vocals are splendidly earthy and sound as though all he wants to do is play those Guitar licks and singing gets in the way. This earthiness and sound ensures Maximum Saturation steers clear of what could have easily gone down the derivative and tedious Blues Rock avenue.

Girlfriend is my particular favourite with its in your face riff, but Not Willing To Play is a close second. The wonderful closing Outro, sounds as though it is in an actual Rock Club, which is ideally where you would listen to Sweet Sweat. One day soon hopefully!

You can listen to and buy the album here. You can find out more about Nick Frater here.

....................