GARY KEMP: IN SOLO 1LP VINYL RECORD (16.07.21)

INSOLO is the second solo album by Spandau Ballet songwriter and Saucerful Of Secrets guitarist and co-lead vocalist, Gary Kemp. As the songwriter and guitarist in one of the most iconic bands of the 80’s, Spandau Ballet, Gary became one of the most commercially successful writers of the decade.

Twenty-five years on from his solo debut Little Bruises Gary has written and produced an album that focuses on two dominant themes: the paradox of solitude in an urban landscape, and his growing obsession with life seen through a rear-view mirror and how the past infects our present. In Solo was written primarily on piano and guitar and programmed in Gary’s studio in W1; he then brought in his trusted friend and long-time collaborator Toby Chapman for further programming, more refined keyboard parts and help with the overall production. From there, the duo moved into the legendary RAK Studios in Maida Vale for much of the heavyweight recording interspersed with some loud days at Metropolis in Chiswick.

As evidenced during the Saucerful Of Secrets tours and live album, Gary is at the peak of his powers as a guitarist and played all the guitars on the album. The bass duties were handled by Gary’s Saucerful Of Secrets partner, Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd, David Gilmour), except Ahead of the Game and Too Much by Richard Jones of The Feeling and Waiting for the Band by Gary’s brother, Martin Kemp. Ash Soan (Seal, Adele, Rod Stewart, Trevor Horn) played drums on Ahead of the Game, I Am the Past, The Fastest Man in the World, The Haunted and Our Light. Drums on In Solo and I Remember You were played by Ged Lynch (Peter Gabriel, Electronic, Goldfrapp). Ged also played percussion on The Haunted, In Solo and I Remember You. Drums on Too Much were played by Queen’s Roger Taylor. Matt Clifford (The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger) played French horn on In Solo, Too Much and I am the Past. Sax on Waiting for the Band was played by Theo Travis (Soft Machine, David Gilmour, Steven Wilson), and Lily Carassik (Modern Nature) played trumpet on I Remember You.Gary’s other Saucerful compatriot, Lee Harris, played lap steel on A Rumour Of You.