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Well, here’s a bit of a coup! Our old friend, Paul Roland got in touch with us to see if we’d be interested in his new album ‘Morbid Beauty’. Of course we were interested, it’s a brilliant piece of work, and after a quick meeting, we all decided it was a definite ‘goer’. I imagine most of you will have at least heard of Paul Roland. He has released a vast amount of music over the last 40 plus years, starting with his Bolan-esque single ‘Oscar Automobile’ back in 1979. Paul is originally from Kent, but now resides in Cambridgeshire, and is a genuine polymath. As well as his musical career he is a celebrated author and journalist. He has been signed to big labels, played with big names, and performed on big stages. He is probably better known in Europe than in the UK, though celebrated fellow British musicians, such as Robyn Hitchcock through to Temples, have cited his work as ‘greatly influential’. He’s even been name checked by such luminaries as Frank Zappa. Known for his interest in Gothic Horror, many of his works have been about famous events & topics in that area. ‘Morbid Beauty’ certainly has a firm nod towards the gothic, but is perhaps more rock-based than usual. Working with a more stripped-down band gives this album an increased psychedelic immediacy. Obviously, there are still the quiet, haunting segments so loved by his army of devoted acolytes, so no one is going to be disappointed. We here at Blue Matter think it’s an absolutely fantastic record and are thrilled to be able to release it on our label. Incidentally, when I first heard the album, I was struck by how great the guitar playing is. Imagine my surprise when, a bit later, I found out it’s the work of another old pal from Cambridgeshire, the brilliant Mick Crossley of Flyte Reaction fame.