STEVE Bronski has teamed up with singer Stephen Granville and programmer Ian Donaldson to create an updated line-up of Bronski Beat, whose first album in 22 years will be released on July 28.
The Age Of Reason pays homage to the synth-pop origins of Bronski Beat through an inventive and inspired reworking of their landmark 1983 debut album, The Age Of Consent.
Crucially too, Bronski, Granville and Donaldson also present a template for the future direction of this 2017 brand of Bronski Beat with three new numbers and a "generous offering" of dance mixes.
The first of the newcomers is a cover of a queercore disco classic, Sylvester's Stars, written by Patrick Cowley and now given a refreshing electro-soul makeover, while I'll Be Gone applies Bronski Beat's trademark searing vocals to its celebration of the euphoric self-realisation gained in ditching a less-than-perfect love affair.
Flower For Dandara affirms Bronski Beat have lost none of their social campaigning and gay activist zeal with its tribute to the murdered Brazilian transsexual Dandara dos Santos in the form of a sensitive eulogy to the victim of a callous lynching by a gang of transphobic thugs. The song also makes an appearance on the second New & Remixed disc with four versions that feature the voice of Rose McDowall, singer with cult Eighties' duo Strawberry Switchblade.
Stephen Granville has followed founder vocalist Jimmy Somerville, Jon Jon Foster and Jonathan Hellyer in taking on the mantle of being Bronski Beat's singer. Hear the results next month when The Age Of Reason emerges on the Cherry Red Records label.
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