Somewhere between Dan the Automater, Ennio Morricone, and Leonard Cohen, lies Barry Adamson. Over a wide-ranging career as a film composer, a founding member of both Magazine and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and a solo artist, his music has continuously looked to the future. However, 'Back to the Cat', Adamson's 7th record, finds him looking to the past, gaining inspiration from some of his favorite artists from the past 50 years. 'Back to the Cat' out on Central Control, is set for release April 22, 2008.

Not that Adamson is copying anyone on this record; you can hear strains of Elvis or Jacques Brel, but it remains unmistakably Barry Adamson. Just one track, "Shadow Of Death Hotel," manages to seamlessly stitch together the sounds of a guitar and flute from a '70s funk song, Jackie Mittoo's keyboards, the horn section from the Mike Hammer theme, and some Butch-Vig-ish fuzzed out guitars. By the next track, he's on to channeling Al Green. Other touchstones include Curtis Mayfield, Leonard Cohen, Serge Gainsbourg, and more.

Barry premiered this album in full at the recent London Jazz Festival (the least "jazz" thing there, by far), headlining two sold-out nights at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The album went over amazingly.

Barry Adamson 2008 tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Barry Adamson's Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

31 March 2008 Academy, Oxford
1 April 2008 Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Scotland
2 April 2008 Oran Mor, Glasgow, Scotland
4 April 2008 Lowry Theatre, Manchester
5 April 2008 Thekla, Bristol
6 April 2008 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
9 April 2008 Pigalle Club, London
10 April 2008 Komedia, Brighton
12 April 2008 Nouveau Casino, Paris
17 June 2008 Zoo, Brisbane
18 June 2008 Corner Hotel, Melbourne
19 June 2008 The Factory, Sydney
21 June 2008 The Bakery Artrage Complex, Perth

"Delivered with a bravura that makes it work a treat" - The Independent

"A chaotic jazz-funk shuffle ... brass-backed, sixties-style soul ... breezy country-and-western ... swampy Southern States blues - [Adamson's] new songs shone brightest" - The Times of London

Barry Adamson on Myspace
Barry Adamson Official Website