Here’s a taster for Beam Up’s album, nailing its colours firmly to a red, gold and green flag. Sounding like it could’ve been recorded in the golden era of the early ‘80s No Chains concerns itself with the classic reggae theme of emancipation from (mental and physical) slavery. Beam Up’s fine horn section adds depth to rousing percussive rhythms, with classic rimshots, echo FX and a heavy bass. Travelling is something Brian May, the alter-ego of Beam Up, has done a lot of, but this Berlin- based DJ/producer who made his name with out-there dub/Balkan sets is using his current musical direction to document a spiritual exodus. Done sing-jay style, Travelling begins and ends with train whistles, and its jaunty riddim belies its conscious message(s). Horns, strings and organ augment the journey.
