Paul Raymond’s 5th solo project, entitled Secret Life is due for release shortly. For those of you who are familiar with his music, and are expecting more along the same lines, this is going to come as somewhat of a shock! The musician and songwriter best known as keyboard player/rhythm guitarist from UFO, has always had other strings to his bow but never aired them in public, hence the title Secret Life.

This collection of songs I would describe as “easy listening with a jazz feel”. Think Rod Stewart’s American Songbook and you are almost there, other than instead of the focus being on such a very famous, recognisable voice, the musicianship on this album in my opinion has greater depth and is technically more challenging. All but one of the tracks are covers of well known songs, but the arrangements are all Raymond’s own.

The first track How About You sets the tone immediately, with a stylish laid-back piano and bass vibe. Improvised lyrics give this song an update from the original and a wonderful “vibraphone” solo showcases Raymond’s musical ability.

The second is one of my favourites of this collection, a cover of Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks. Raymond has given this the “Big Band” treatment – it’s got everything but the kitchen sink on it (all played by the man himself) but it works faultlessly. His knowledge of other instruments and how they fit into an arrangement is astounding, considering he’s primarily a piano man. A cheeky little number!

How Wonderful You Are is a tranquil piano and vocal number. At times the vocals are almost Rod-esque! Perfect for chilling out to with a large glass of red, after a hard days’ work.

Lover Come Back to Me is for me one of the stand-out tracks. This has a kind of Gospel feel, complete with soaring Hammond organ and electric guitar solo. Of all the tracks, this is probably is closest to rock it gets; the vocal style is pure rock ballad– outstanding!

I Got You Babe begins with a beautiful, delicate piano intro which leads into the recognisable melody. This is an instrumental track, which has a very simple piano, bass and percussion arrangement.

You Do Something To Me At first I thought it was going to be another big band number, but the brass intro gives way to a subtle mid-tempo groove with a lengthy section of trumpet and piano solos evocative of a smoky basement jazz club, or have I just got a vivid imagination?!

I Didn’t Know About You and Easy Living
A couple of romantic, sentimental little songs sung softly and played delicately. Dim the lights, light the candles - seduction guaranteed or your money back!!!

This Can’t Be Love is an up-beat, finger clicking, foot-tapping number, starting with vocals over an energetic bass line. Drums and piano follow, then all the stops are pulled out, with amazing, lightning-fast vibraphone and piano solos. It has a great feel and sounds like he’s really enjoying himself!

Makin’ Bread Again is an instrumental blues groove, complete with live audience participation. It digresses into full-blown jazz improvisation with saxophone, trumpet, piano and bass solos before reverting to the blues. Ambitious – but I think he pulls it off!

Out of Nowhere For me, this is the weakest track, not that there’s anything terribly wrong with it, but it’s more of the same mid-tempo light jazz, but without any strong characteristics. Elevator-music.

Secret Life, Raymond’s only original composition on the album is a solo piano piece, classical in style with a touching, melancholic quality. The tone of the piano is quite exquisite and it is played with sentiment and sensitivity - the perfect closing track.

Ardent rock fans might reel in horror at the complete absence of power chords in this offering – but those fans with a slightly more eclectic taste in music, who are willing to open their minds as well as their ears, will no doubt find something to appeal amongst this nostalgic, romantic, but musically pleasing assortment of classic songs, encompassing several genres and decades.