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When The Bureau broke up in the early ‘80s the world was theirs. The soul combo had coalesced out of Dexys Midnight Runners to produce two stunning singles only to disappear mysteriously back into the soul ether.
A quarter of a century or so later, that potential is being rekindled. They are back with a new album and old soul rebels, loyal disciples and wild-hearted outsiders are all here in Camden with baited breath and beating hearts. Some have waited for this moment of resurrection for over 25 years.
The band take to the stage and launch emphatically into one of the great soul instrumental classics, ‘The Horse’. In an instant it’s clear they are at their tightest since those early days, as the bright bold brass adds to the intense passion playing and is all backed up by the loyal craft of Crispin Taylor’s punchy drumming.
‘The First One’—one of those first two great singles, comes next, full of self-righteous pain and anger.
Brown in black strides and Ray Bans is still one of the most under-recognised British great white soul voices and his vocals, although naturally matured, are potent enough. The six-piece belts out the tunes with “confidence” to use Brown’s own, apt, description. Meanwhile ‘Divided In Two’ slows things down and brings some southern-tinged soul to north London and is played warmly and softly against the low murmur of the Café society.
Old tune ‘The Bigger Prize’ goes down a storm. Brown’s voice cracks like a broken shot glass, cutting through with intensity to ram the message home. ‘Just A Word’ is the most Dexys of all the new tracks. Written by trombonist Paul Taylor, it silences the homecoming hordes with its touching intent. Meanwhile on one of his rare compositions, it’s former Style Councillor Mick Talbot’s chance to shine on ‘Chance In A Million’.
‘Only For Sheep’ is magisterial in its knock-‘em-dead ferocity, wah-wah guitar and driving percussion. And ‘Got To Be Now’ with its pumping “Strong, strong, strong strong!” chorus, is, apart from the encore, the most well-received tune.
“I’m enjoying it,” muses former Dexys trombone star Big Jim Patterson, leaning against the bar.
Final song of the set ‘The Noose’ gives Geoff Blythe the chance to let rip on the sax. But, of course, it can’t really end there.
‘Let Him Have It’ is The Bureau’s most transcendental moment, then and now. It relates the tale of Derek Bentley, a 19-year-old kid wrongful convicted and hanged in 1953 for his part in a shooting. It shouts out emotion and pours tears:
“Oh this sadness just overcomes me/I will break my own head/So that someone's dead just for your sweet revenge…”
The Bureau have been investigated and not found wanting. Indeed they’ve successfully half-inched our collective hearts.
The gathered apostles still seem to be searching for the keys to heaven but at least, at last, they’ve had the chance to open some doors out on to that that endless soul journey.
The Bureau at Noble PR
Reviewed by Gareth Thomas | |
