Be-Bop Deluxe were only together for six years. They made five studio albums, enjoyed modest success, were always impeccably well-dressed, and broke up quietly in 1978 at the behest of leader, guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Nelson. Be-Bop Deluxe were definitely one of those bands that should have been bigger, but when you factor in timing, location, trends, and temperance, it probably wasn’t meant to be. That didn’t stop Nelson from carrying on. To date, he has appeared on hundreds of recordings, though none have come close to the success of Be-Bop Deluxe. Considering Nelson’s eccentricities and noble instincts, that is likely by design.
Listening to the music of Be-Bop Deluxe is an unrivaled experience, shrouded in elegance, musicality and sensitivity, floating over surreal, sci-fi and supernatural themes and images. Each one of their five records is a supple cocktail of slick riffs, tight interplay and sleight-of-hand sophistication. If you venture further, you’ll eventually come face-to-face with their third release, Sunburst Finish. You’ll discover this album encompasses everything you could possibly love about Be-Bop Deluxe. We’re talking about its sturdiest lineup, top-notch production, and arguably the closest Nelson ever got to becoming a bona-fide rock star.
Recorded in 1975 at Abbey Road studios, Sunburst Finish dropped in February 1976 and immediately drew attention with its provocative cover. The album’s one and only single “Ships In The Night” made it to the Top 40 on the UK singles charts. By this time, the band — Nelson, Charlie Tumahai (bass, vocals), Andy Clark (keyboards) and Simon Fox (drums) — was a regular on the touring circuit in Europe and America. With Sunburst Finish, it was as if all the pieces of the Be-Bop Deluxe puzzle had come together to complete the picture of a band on the rise, about to take the world by storm.
As “Fair Exchange” fades in and parts the sea with its catchy refrain and smooth landing, possibilities abound freely. “Heavenly Homes” brazenly blossoms amidst Clark’s cascading piano lines and Nelson’s dexterous, omnivorous lead work before segueing into “Ships In The Night,” a neo-romance that swings to and fro. “Crying To The Sky” is a lullaby for the soul, while the rolling rhythm that drives “Sleep That Burns” will have tangoing into the wee hours. Take a break, smoke a cigarette, pour a glass of wine and settle into the cosmic groove of “Life In The Air Age.”
If the celestial beauty, haunting orchestration and bright horns of “Crystal Gazing” doesn’t have you reaching for a tissue, then “Blazing Apostles,” the album’s fieriest final number, will have you reaching for phone. And just when you’re about to catch your breath, Esoteric Recordings comes along with a remastered four-disc (three CDs, one DVD) deluxe expanded edition of Sunburst Finish to wrap your brain around.
This hefty reissue has been remastered from the original master tapes and bulked up with 39 additional tracks remixed in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler. Along with the original album, there are previously unreleased outtakes, a BBC Radio “In Concert” performance from January 1976, a rare John Peel Show session from February 1976, the previously unreleased 1976 Harvest Records promotional video for “Ships In The Night,” and a session for BBC TV’s “Old Grey Whistle Test” show from January 1976.
The set includes a 68-page book filled with photos and an essay by Bill Nelson, plus a reproduced version of the 1976 Sunburst Finish tour program, along with postcards and a poster. Pick it up, and you’re looking at a full, fun-filled evening overflowing with music and mid 70s visuals. Might as well light a candle, pour another glass of your favorite wellness elixir or thirst-quencher, and settle in for a magical ride. There’s no better way to indulge in a timeless classic like Sunburst Finish
~ Shawn Perry
