The gaping chasm of 'The Blues' is a hard place not to get lost in. What's required is a complex compass made-up of integrity, passion and that central necessity of, well, experience. Brighton, England, is generally not deemed a great harvesting ground for a great bluesman. With its relatively well-heeled populace and position as one of the UK's dance heartlands it isn't seen to generally lend itself too well to nurturing the blues. But that was back then. For things may well be about to change.

Martin Messent, you see, has made a simple, stripped back nu-blues album and it's an utter revelation. By taking that celebrated blues formula of experimentation and melancholy and adding a strong English and contemporary slant he's crafted an album that's instantly gratifying for a modern day British audience.

By blending the sound of Americana, folk and jazz around a central spine of blues-laden acoustica, 'Blues for Plankton' feels strangely fresh and new. Opener 'Nowhere Slow' sets the scene with its downbeat six-string melancholy and Messent's warm, comforting lone vocals leading from the front. It's deliciously unrushed; Messent evidently taking great joy from wandering slowly through the jazz-club playground. Beyond such a splendid opener and there's honeyed wafts of slide guitar, double bass and string parts so finely textured that you can almost feel them with your fingers.

Amidst this musical master-class sits Messent's startling lyricism. Simple, downbeat stories bleed with emotion as Messent talks with a Van Morrison-esque level of introspection and reflection. It's equally serene and poignant and lends this glorious LP a further level of quality. Just listen to the duelling vocal parts of 'Ever On' and you'll spend half the song chasing to catch your breath.

On the startling evidence of 'Blues For Plankton', Brighton Blues have never sounded so raw.

'Blues For Plankton' is out now on Bread Pudding Records

Stephen Jasper
www.myspace.com/martinmessent

http://cdbaby.com/cd/mmessent