Sloane Square Band – “Thoughts” | Progressive Rock Central.com

The French progressive rock band, Sloane Square Band, have returned with their new album Thoughts. The album was released on June 21, of 2024, on the French label, FTF-Music Distribution.

The Sloane Square Band, (SSB), is made up of members: Claude Segalin on guitars and vocals: Richard Groulx on lead vocals; Joniece Jamison on vocals; Stéphane Honde on guitars; Lionel Desblache on guitars; Guy Pratt on bass (except Alix Gugliemi on “Fishes”); Gérard Thouret, on keyboards; Eric Lebailly on drums; Leina Vinx on flute and vocals; The violins were played by the Orchestre National d’Avignon Provence (ONAP).

SSB has released two prior albums: In 2017, they released Live in St Rémy de Provence, and in 2021, they released Guelf.

On Thoughts, the band also added the performances of some guest musicians, including:

Guy Pratt, (Bass player of Pink Floyd since 1986, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bryan Ferry…); Joniece Jamison, (Singer of Eurythmics, Elton John, François Feldman and other major international bands); Richard Groulx, Canadian – Quebec singer (Starmania, Hair…); and Steve Forward, on mixing and mastering (Paul McCartney, Ray Charles among others…).

SSB’s public relations release states, “SBB is a story of passion, courage and resilience. Born in early 1970s; the band continues to mark the French and Anglo-Saxon musical landscape with its neo-progressive rock compositions with Pink Floyd sensibilities. The story of SSB – Sloane Square Band begins with the name Sloane, in the 70s. At the origin of the band, there is Claude Segalin, guitarist, singer, author and composer. He composed a rock opera called “GUELF” in 1974, which has been performed several times in concerts all over France. Sloane dissolved in 1978 by itself. Forty years later, a meeting with one of his former bassists gave Claude Segalin the desire to start again. He composed new songs and brought the band back to life during a memorable and successful concert in St Rémy de Provence in June 2017. Since then, talented new professional musicians have joined the band to give birth new compositions and musical projects. Sloane then became SSB (Sloane Square Band) and remained committed to its contribution for the “Ligue Contre le Cancer,” a French charity institution fighting against cancer; “Music is Ageless.”

“Thoughts,” opens with that cool synth sound that I remember from Genesis’ “Down and Out,” from “…And Then There Were Three….” After that though the band uses stringed orchestration to help build their soundscape. Richard Groulx, with a voice that reminds me of Procol Harum’s great singer, and one of my favorites, Gary Brooker, sings, “Yesterday I had a thought. Yesterday I had a dream. Yesterday I had a chance. Yesterday I had a dance. Yesterday I had a home. Yesterday I had a song. Leave me alone on an island. Watching the sky and the ocean. Starting out where I began. Journey to the promise land. Where I’m free, where I’m strong. In a place where I belong.” What a song, filled with visions of the ocean, along with soft choirs, piano, and wonderful and unique guitar solos, bass, strings, and drums. The perfect album opener! The guitars even remind me a little of the Yes-like band, Circa. Great memories along with intriguing new sounds, including what sounds like ocean waves at the song’s conclusion.

“Odd Love,” opens like a rocker. Full of guitars, drums, and bass. Richard Groulx, sings, “Young and carefree almost nineteen. Tradition obeyed, parents were keen. Lived by the book, followed the rules. Happy as fools. Years made routine, the king. And suddenly there you are. My world became odd love. And suddenly there you are. My world became odd love.” Definitely a rock love song, full of blazing electric guitar, with Richard Groulx even yelling with excitement. A song of joy and love.

“Born,” opens with some cool keyboard and guitar innovations as well as an interesting electric guitar solo. Richard Groulx, sings, “Sitting on a chair. On a Sunday afternoon. Starring at the sky and the clouds. Playing with your hair. Watching the moonlight. I don’t wanna see… ever again… the city lights. Only love can help. Rising love for you. Let’s take the road again. There will be an end for us. Can’t you understand. We will find paradise. I’m trying to lead the way. Very far away.” Then, some of the best words of advice, I’ve read this year, in a band’s lyrics. Richard Groulx, sings, “Respect everyone. Respect life. Respect nature. Cause where we were born is where we will die.” Then, they launch into a rocking lead electric guitar solo with keys, bass, and drums.

“Fishes,” is another rocker. This time about the ecology of the Earth. A warning and protest song about what we are all doing to this world. Richard Groulx, sings, “What have we done. Our earth is gone. Walking in a crowed city. Feeling naked alone. No place for human beings. Bodies of silicone. Food became poison. Illness is everywhere. No help or contributions. This is the end my friend. I want to fly away. Find a better place to stay. Try to find a solution. For a better nature’s way.” A powerful song of protest and a message to wake up!

“My “Father,” is one of the best songs of the year. It made me cry, remembering my own father, who passed years ago. Richard Groulx, sings, with loving strings, piano, acoustic guitar, and soft drums. “He never looked for praises. Never the one to boast. Just a hardworking man. For those he loved the most. His dreams were seldom spoken. His needs were very few. Never complained ’bout problems. The pain he was going through. My father. In moments of doubt and darkness. You are my guiding light. A sturdy hand to hold on tight. To hold on tight. Your love forever surrounds me. In every breath I take. Echoing on this journey. All the memories remain. Forever I’ll be grateful. You made me, who I am. And in this world uncertain. Gave me the strength to, be a man. In moments of doubt and darkness. You are my guiding light. Your love forever surrounds me. In every breath I take. Echoing on this journey. Oh my father!” Nothing left to say…this song said it all. Wish I had written it. I was lucky enough to say many of the same things to my father, before he passed away.

I like the fact that SBB is unafraid of taking on tough subjects in their music; like the love and wonderful life of a father, and “Hiroshima.” The song opens with flute like keyboards and soft guitar. Richard Groulx, sings, “Came from the sky. A blinding flash. A fiery storm. Tempest of madness. Broken dreams. Like dust in the wind. Innocence lost. Nothing left, just shadows. Haunting sounds. Of darkness. From the ashes. The silence. Let it be. Hiroshima. Whisper on the wind. Like the voice of a child. Rise from the ruins. Seeds of forgiveness. Stronger now. Pain begins to heal. Scars will remain. Memories forever. Out the ruins. A spirit emerged. A plea to the world. But no one listens.” Sad, but it seems SBB is correct. We seem to not have learned from our experiences. Joniece Jamison provides a wonderful vocal solo, reminding me of “The Great Gig in the Sky,” and Clare Torr.

On, “I Will Never,” Richard Groulx, sings, “Don’t turn away. Don’t be afraid. Like a child, your heart will show the way. And now I’m comin back to you. You know we can’t turn back time. Or the choices that we make. The feelings that we can’t hide. Will guide us to a brighter day. And now I’m comin back to you. I will never let you go again. I will never let you cry in the rain. Don’t close your eyes. Hear what I say. Give us a chance. Love will find a way. The memory of your smile. The starlight in your eyes.” A great song about trying to mend a broken heart and relationship with kindness and feeling.

They follow that love song with “Bag of Lies.” It opens with soft acoustic guitar and piano. Richard Groulx, sings, “I couldn’t sleep last night. I was listening to you breathing. After all this time I knew the end was coming. I’ve grown tired of these fights. We both know why we’re here. Just like a mirror. You’re nothing. Until I look at you. Until I gaze into. There’s nothing much I can do. But don’t tell me lies. Don’t hide in disguise. It’s all gone so wrong. I should have grown up and realize. There’ll be no good surprise. Cause I’ve found. Your bag of lies. I should have gone, left for dead. But you called me a dog instead.” A tough, ‘you done me wrong song,’ about two people trying to resolve issues of love.

“Jane,” is not a cover of the famous Jefferson Starship classic. Richard Groulx, sings his heart out for his daughter, “Jane will you to take my hand. You’re so beautiful today. Like an angel in disguise. Jane will you to take my hand. Your lovely smile is so sad. And you know that I love you. Oh yes, I do. I will never forget. Saint Germain des Prés. With you I will never forget Les Champs Elysées. With you Jane my loving daughter. That I seldom got to see. Your pain, it echoes through my veins. Oh Jane, not being there for you. This I regret. And I long for you. These precious moments that we lost.” A sad song of regret, sang with sympathy and hopes of forgiveness.

So, what are my thoughts on the Sloane Square Band’s new album, “Thoughts?” I think it is one of the better rock albums of the year. Progressive rock, maybe, at times. But this is more of a straight-ahead rocker. And a great rocker, at that. Every song is worth your listening time. My obvious favorites were “Father,” and the title song, “Thoughts,” which I did think had some very progressive rock elements to it. I also think “Hiroshima,” was a very good discussion of what we have learned or not learned, from the experience. Yes, I would say, save your thoughts on this album, until you actually hear SBB’s “Thoughts.” Richard Groulx, with his great voice, is one of the best things on this album. But the musicianship is professionally delivered and the album was record and mixed very well. There exists no reason or thought, for you to skip past the Sloane Square Band’s “Thoughts.” You don’t need to go to a lonely island to appreciate this album. However, “sitting back watching the sky and the ocean,” is the best way to experience SBB’s “Thoughts.”

“Thoughts,” was composed and written by Claude Segalin, except for “Bag of Lies,” which was composed by Stéphane Honde. The album was recorded at FATLAB Studios and MGO Studios. Graphic design was completed by: Sonia Advokatoff. Photography by Pascal Druelle and Patrick Gagniard. The album was mixed and mastered by Steve Forward. Arrangements by SSB. Lyrics by Claude Segalin and Richard Groulx.

Album Track List:

1. THOUGHTS – 5:33

2. ODD LOVE – 4:08

3. BORN – 5:03

4. FISHES – 4:33

5. MY FATHER – 3:40

6. HIROSHIMA – 5:54

7. I WILL NEVER… – 5:19

8. BAG OF LIES – 4:50

9. JANE – 4:44

Band Website and Social Media Links: