Chez Kane

So, I have chosen to leave this until the last embers of time are approaching to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard as the case might be! The long awaited and much anticipated debut solo release from Chez Kane is upon us! For me, not least the pressures of a never-ending workload have seemingly denied me the opportunist amount of time that I may usually enjoy reviewing such a musical offering. This, as much as the desire to be last past the post when so often striving to be the first to show on the review front seems to be the obvious approach on most occasions. Well not this time anyway, it has given me the vision to see how well received the first two songs to be released from the album have been gathering fans attentions both new and old alike. The build-up to this album has been well devised and greatly backed by Chez herself with an endearing child-like excitement from the vivacious singer which has been infectious and clearly evident for all to see and one that I witnessed first-hand a short while ago when interviewing Chez about the upcoming eponymous debut.

At that time Chez had released the first single ‘Too Late For Love’ with a video shot over in Sweden and of course no coincidence it was with a name that everyone knows right now if they didn’t before, a certain Danny Rexon of Crazy Lixx. Danny was charged with scouting and producing new talent along with the label Frontiers who as the name suggests are really at the forefront of a wealth of Melodic Rock releases right now. They are almost prolific in bringing new to the market bands and most of those come from much further afield than Wales, but that is of course where the origins of this story began via the band Kane’d with her two sisters Stephanie and Stacey. Danny and Chez initially began working on demos and the label snapped it up with the able foresight to see what a great partnership this was and what could be spawned from this musical alliance. The result is of course a superb collection of melodic rock tracks that would grace the late 80’s in style and with all songs and music penned and produced by Danny this is one release that epitomises all that is good and great about the genre. But it isn’t just reserved for a dusty little pocket in time, these songs stand firm today and the album is one that any self-respecting lover of rock music as a whole should be indulging in. I am sure many have read the comparisons between the album’s sound and Janet Gardener, Vixen, Lita Ford, Lee Aaron, Saraya et al (other female artists also available) of the time as well as the inevitable Crazy Lixx influence but make no mistake Chez has ploughed a furrow in her own style here and there need be no other comparisons made. This has led to many more fans the world over buying into this in a big way, T-shirts have been purchased, the CD has been pre-ordered by many in so many different countries, an outcome I am sure even Chez herself could not have initially dreamed of?

Well onto the music, have I mentioned this may well be one of the releases of the year? Even so early on in 2021 this is highly likely as there is not one track that would have anyone

reaching for the skip button they are all worthy of this long player without doubt. Things kicks off with the synth soaked ‘Better Than Love’ which oozes 80’s class and already it showcases Chez’s powerful pipes, with a great singalong chorus and the introduction of some sexy sax, it is one underused instrument in the rock arena but works so very well here. Sax is not just reserved for Kenny G or George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ or even Michael Monroe to offer up 3 off the wall examples! ‘All of It’ follows on and provides a thumping drum beat and the greater injection of guitar riffs and then onto ‘Rocket On The Radio’ and the opening of this one provides the twin to Danger Danger’s ‘Monkey Business’ without a doubt, it has the feel of a party anthem and it contains the line ‘I think I’ve heard that song before’, well yes maybe so? It’s all fuelled with feel good vibes as well as adding in a some sounds reminiscent of Blue Tears (remember them?) When you feel that you are hearing a lot of influences in the sound it is no bad thing as it gives that familiar feeling and makes you automatically connect with the track, as familiarity in this instance breeds an inherent instant attraction and connection with the music. ‘Too Late For Love’ which is one hell of a song is sandwiched in-between the Infectious grooves of ‘Get It On’ and the slower, paced almost balladic ‘Defender Of The Heart’ which actually reminds me of the best that Heart had to offer back in the mid to late 80’s. ‘Ball and Chain’ is a big favourite for me and has everything a great melodic rock song should possess. This album starts with big sounding vocals, squeezing in awesome melodies by the bucketload, massive hooks and singalong choruses to die for all delivered with such aplomb by Chez that you will struggle to hear an album of this quality again this year. ‘Midnight Rendezvous’ is a pure rocker and I forgot to mention before that a certain Pete Newdeck supplied his vocal capabilities on the backing vocals front so listen out as he is clocking in for duty on not only on ‘Midnight Rendezvous’ but also on ‘All Of It’ and ‘Rocket On The Radio’. Where this man does not lay his musical mark these days is not worth talking about, it’s all fingers and pies for Sir Newdeck! ‘Die In The Name Of Love’ and ‘Dead End Street’ (More sax please anyone?) round off the album and what a listen it is, hugely radio friendly with so much commercial appeal that in the right time this would have flown straight to the top of the charts and I’m talking Billboard 100 stuff here. Everyone get yourselves a copy and make this album the success it deserves.

Incidentally, Chez has put together a touring band to support the release so she did not allow the grass to grow under her feet for long at all enlisting the services of Harry Scott Elliott of Kane’d of course along with James Ready the polished six-stringer with Walkway, Nico Martin on Bass and Jay Haines of Everyday Heroes on Drums. This is one exciting prospect and looking forward to seeing them on the road in a post-Covid or at least a recovering Covid world. Chez Kane and the band have already got a big festival gig lined up for this year in the shape of ‘Stockholm Rock Out’ on the 18th December alongside the likes of Doro, Michael Monroe, Crashdiet and Crazy Lixx so that is going to rock off the scale, fingers crossed it happens as well as a UK dates of course, that is paramount.

Chez Kane – Chez Kane is released today the 12th March 2021 on Frontiers.

Track listing;

1. Better Than Love

2. All Of It

3. Rocket On The Radio

4. Get It On

5. Too Late For Love

6. Defender Of The Heart

7. Ball N’ Chain

8. Midnight Rendezvous

9. Die In The Name Of Love

10. Dead End Street