By now all discerning music collectors will know about the duo, YOUNG GUN SILVER FOX. The pairing, Mamas Gun front man Andy Platts, the “young gun” and performer/writer/producer Shawn Lee, the “silver fox”, have released four albums to both critical acclaim and commercial success and with ‘Pleasure’, their upwards trajectory is set to continue, as again it delivers their unique sound – an eclectic cocktail of blue-eyed soul, west coast harmony pop and the vibes of say, Steely Dan, Earth Wind & Fire, Bobby Caldwell and even Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney. Yes, we did say “eclectic”!
The album’s release was prefaced by the release of three singles – a harmonic ‘Stevie & Sly’(an unashamed tribute to two musical giants and indeed all things mid 70s), the beguiling ‘Late Night Last Train’ and the jaunty, Doobie Brothers-flecked ‘Born To Dream’. The remaining tracks deliver the same polished, harmonic, melodic quality. Here’s just a few more of the highlights; ‘Burning Daylight’ – a blue-eyed soul take on (maybe) the EWF sound (lovely sax break here); ‘The Greatest Loser’ – an ambitious, harmonic ballad (C.S.N Y?); ‘One Horse Race’ – a 21st century homage to Steely Dan. However, dip in anywhere and you’ll enjoy an excess of aural “Pleasure”.
‘Pleasure’, we’re told, was recorded a little differently to YGSF’s previous albums. On the first four sets, Andy and Shawn laid down ideas in their own studios and sent the files back and forth via email – Shawn in London and Andy in Norfolk. For this new set, however, Shawn travelled to Andy’s studio, The Prairie, for four days in December 2024 and back again in January 2025. That different MO has made no difference to the band’ sound – it still energizes and attracts. Andy (who also, as we’ve said, works with Mamas Gun) says: “I always come back to Young Gun Silver Fox. It’s like taking a drive to the coast and I just smell the ocean and the air and it’s like ‘wicked I’m back here again’ and I can just kick back and enjoy it.” With that, he’s nailed the sound of ‘Pleasure’ – out now and recommended.
(BB) 4/5
