Haze has always been a band who encompass a variety of influences, embracing rock, prog, folk and metal, while not being afraid to flirt with soul, blues, ambient and electronic music. Their new release, The Water’s Edge, reflects the continuing development of the band’s musicianship and songwriting, and showcases the breadth and depth which the band has continuously developed over the past 46 years.
Formed in 1978 by brother Chris & Paul McMahon and named after a can of air freshener - it could easily have been Airwick Solid or Glade, Haze are veteran outsiders of the 80’s NeoProg scene centred around the Marquee club in London, Haze played with many of the leading bands of the time. Pallas, Solstice & Pendragon and more recently Trilogy, who will be gigging with them in support of the album. The band now feature Paul’s son Danny McMahon on drums and Paul’s wife Catrin Ashton on flute & fiddle - truly a family affair.
For the first time since the Fire In Harmony compilation album, the band went into a pro studio, Yellow Arch in Sheffield, and enlisted the help of an outside producer/engineer, Colin Elliott of the Richard Hawley band. The result is the best sounding Haze album yet, with the band free to concentrate on playing the music, and the inevitable constraints on studio time also helping to bring out the free flowing, seat of the pants improvisation which has made Haze one of the best live acts around.
The album features guest appearances by singer Charlie Bramald (Ghost of the Machine) and saxophonist Derek Nash (Jools Holland R & B Orchestra), and also the rest of Paul’s children with Jessica McMahon doing a great job on backing vocals, and extra backing from Lily & Hazel McMahon.
This collection of songs covers a lot of ground. From the electro/rock/latin/prog of Flight Behaviour through the aggressive punkish snarl of Not Alone, the gentle balladeering of The Waters Rising, the Folk/Metal/Prog/Ambient insanity of The Outlandish Knight, the soothing acoustic calm of Belong, the sleazy blues of Drinking with the Devil, the multi layered vocals, synths and guitars of Who Goes There?, the brooding Prog of Parasite to the desperate reflective beauty of Redemption, there is a lot to enjoy here! From a band at the peak of their powers, an album which finally captures the essence of Haze.
HAZE 'The Water's Edge'
Released on Gabadon Records GABCD 22 on 1st July 2024
Available from https://www.gabadon.co.uk/thewatersedge.html
And https://hazeuk.bandcamp.com/
As well as itunes, spotify, etc. etc...
