As you can tell, Wille and The Bandits don’t play it safe by sticking to one genre! Prior to Claire Lloyd suggesting I review their new album and catch them at The John Peel Centre in Stowmarket, I was unaware of the kaleidoscope of colourful sounds that form their music. I agreed to the review and to photographing their gig. I did this without any knowledge and with little excitement.

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Then I listened to 'Salt Roots' By this time I knew they were from Cornwall, a place I have a deep personal affinity with. Its Atlantic coastline is majestic. As I listened, I became almost overtaken by euphoria. ‘Wheal Jane’ gets the disc turning as it deals with the Counties heritage. It mines the essence of the history. It is loud, proud and so heavy that you might suffer from tinnitus.

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‘Trouble Round The Bend’ is an unsavoury topic. It really kicks up something of a sh*tstorm as it tackles the subject of our waste product. The song is pumping and a warning from our environmental warriors of what the water companies are doing. Here’s another warning, don’t watch the video while eating dinner! Now that really is food for thought!

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‘King Kong’ changes things with some heavy-duty slabs of psychedelic funk. Then ‘Style Thing’ takes us to the land of disco funk, the bassline grooves as the keys bring to mind huge flare and collars of the early 70’s. Just four songs in and I am shaking with excitement!

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But I am unprepared for the beauty of the voice and sounds of ‘Take My Shoulder’ the passion and sentiment creating huge waves of emotion with every note. Just like the gigantic waves from the Atlantic crashing into the cliffs of Sennen. ‘I Know My Name’ sees another twist as a banjo begins a shit kicking stomp, which believe it or not goes into a rap. While the song does that I am going into raptures.

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I have to pause for breath here and tell you a bit about Wille & the Bandits. This is their 7th studio outing. The group who have undergone several changes. They switch direction quicker than a surfer at Fistral Beach. Formed in 2010, only Wille Edwards remains from the original lineup after the departure of Matthew Brooks and Andrew Naumann in 2019. Just why I have not encountered them before I don’t know but finally they are on my radar and will remain so.

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Let’s restart with ‘Sail Away (the Mayflower)’. It begins with David Coverdale style vocals as it tells the tale of Pilgrims leaving Charleston for the New World. It would be an epic voyage of discovery for them, like this album has been for me. The song develops as those leaving their homeland say their heartfelt goodbyes. 'Sail Away' sends shivers of raw emotion as it blends two distinct vocal styles, that of the already mentioned and that of Chris Martin. It is beautifully done over a gentle, sparse acoustic sound, you can feel it, you can see the sails as they catch the wind…

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After that we really need something uplifting and energetic. This comes in the form of ’Stand Up’ which features keys as it hits and makes you stand up. Catchy and to the point, that we’ve got to fight to be heard is the message and woven into the music is some eastern promise.

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This album is an album that just keeps on giving, surprise after surprise. ‘Reina del Mar’ takes us to a Latino land, with the feel of Santana, summery heaven at Kynance Cove or Polperro. The video is great. ‘Homeward Bound’ closes things as we return perhaps to where the Cornish Flag waves.

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The album has taken us on a journey that has opened our eyes and ears to the world and its possibilities. As the final note fades it feels just like we do after a great holiday: sitting in your own chair, laying in your own bed, relaxing and remembering the memories and adventures we have just experienced.

This has been a totally immersive experience, quite wonderful.