Reviews & Comments

Review of album launch - This is a Review by Abi Rhodes..who was obviously at the gig..thanks Abi.

http://abi-rhodes.typepad.com/

"Saturday, February 28, 2009 

Can We Return To The Late 60s/Early 70s

Last week I went along to The Brunswick pub in Holland Road [Hove, actually] to witness the launch of the 'Can we Return to the Heart' album by The Jules Franks Band . I have previously reviewed the album and the band's debut at the Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton.

I have to say that The Brunswick proved to be a much more suitable venue for the noise the band make! The evening was very cleverly organised with the early part showing video film of Jules's travels in India accompanied with tracks from his earlier musical works. These were very impressively put together indeed.

Jules then performed solo exhibiting his prowess with a number of his percussion instruments including the amazing Swiss-made 'Hang' - a gong-like device comprised of a couple of West Indian steeldrums welded together in a flying saucer or barbecue shape! The sound produced was absolutely amazing and Jules' mastery of the instrument was sublime.

The 7-piece band augmented by a clarinettist then presented a pretty true track-by-track rendition of the album only briefly interrupted by an interlude for Jules to rest his voice and the group to perform their very special version of The Beatles' 'Tomorrow Never Knows.'

The sizeable audience clearly appreciated the music as much as I did, so I'd say the evening was a veritable success - I hope Jules manages to sell a good few albums as a result."

Bibi McGill,  Lead guitarist, Musical Director and Band Leader for Beyonce Knowles, Guitarist with Pink touring band:
"Julian I have now listened to your cd Can We Return to the Heart and Really enjoyed it. The words will inspire many people on their 'Life Journey'. It is a Great accomplishment, for I know how much work goes into a project like this, you must be very content"

From Abi Rhodes, Music Reviewer and Blogger:      Return to Forever:
Hands up all you Old Folk who remember Quintessence.
Well it's my contention that if you were into them, you'll love Jules Franks music. It's a special kind of Fusion drawing on lots of different traditions, pulled together and set behind songs carrying universal and very straightforward spiritual and mystical messages.

To illustrate the width of Jules' musical spectrum I'll simply say that the stunning opening track entitled 'Pretender to the Throne' sounds a bit like Hildegard von Bingen takes the hippy trail to the 'Ministry of Sound'. It's always a good policy to put a really powerful track at the head of the album to grab the attention of the new listener, but it's important to ensure that what follows will maintain that interest once grabbed.

I'm pleased to report that Jules Franks manages to do this admirably by varying the tempo, the mood and the rhythm throughout the 6 tracks of this very accomplished album. Jules provides main vocals, plays all percussion, including drums and tabla, as well as keyboards and calls on a variety of help to augment the sound with various guitars and other stringed instruments, clarinet and backing vocals as the different numbers require.He's hoping to assemble a touring band to be able to reproduce the range of sounds he achieves on record live. This will be a great achievement and I look forward to seeing these great songs performed on stage.

There have been all too few groups playing  such wide-ranging and uplifting cerebral rock since  the Punk discontinuity brought several lines of musical exploration of this nature to an effective end or at least moved it far away from any musical mainstream. Perhaps Jules Franks starting with this record will help put them back on the map.

Quote from Illana fan connecticut U.S.A .......:
Thanks again Jules for your brilliant music. I am loving the music and poetry.You can really hear the influences of so many sounds and styles of music...which I love....I must say I am partial to ' Brother Sun met Sister Moon..the instrumental intro is so lovely...and 'The Feather and the Perfect Stone.....like bliss and love on a summer day! Love to you and thanks for the music.

Bryan Eden (Lead singer, song writer and producer for 'Tribe of Eden' New York based rock Band, Winners of Progressive Rock Hall of Fame  Indie song of the year 2008)....
Jules my friend congratulations and kudos on your powerful, passionate, mystical and beautiful record 'Can We Return to the Heart.You achieved something rare- expressed a deep and personal spiritual message wrapped in compelling music. I thank you for sharing your inner Bard and taking us on a journey through the Mystery, keep writing , all the best Bryan Eden.