There’s real alchemy at work here on DIG!, the 6th studio album by UK 5-piece band Mamas Gun - a rare creative brotherhood of passionate musicians with a knack for making music that sounds and feels timeless. 

Andy Platts - the songwriting frontman with the golden falsetto (and co-founder of fellow Blue Élan band Young Gun Silver Fox); Drummer Chris Boot – the band's backbone, supplying the heaviest grooves with a jazz player's lightness of touch; Bass player Cameron Dawson, flowing and fearless echoing the spirit of James Jamerson but with a melodic sound uniquely his own; Terry Lewis, a guitarist whose taste, feel and vocabulary bring a crucial warm old school authenticity, and last but by no means least; Dave Oliver, a dynamic keys player whose profound command of the piano, wurlitzer and hammond organ joins the dots from jazz to gospel to soul with ease.

And what a sound this is – truly authentic, organic and deeply soulful - all recorded by engineer/studio owner Neil Innes straight to 16 track analogue tape at All Things Analogue Studios in Leeds, UK. The mission statement: To capture the sound of 5 individual musicians at the very top of their game, coming together to bring 11 lovingly crafted songs to life in a way that celebrates the best of the past and the present. The result is hugely successful, yielding intimate performances that put you in room with the band whilst the magic unfolds.  

The themes covered in the songs on this album are universal. Those of love, family, hope, redemption, and like all great soul music, finding uplift in times of downturn. Whilst much of the album's arrangements and production credits are largely spread across the group, at the center of the songwriting is Andy Platts, but whose collaboration with the other band members and others, such as longtime writing-partner Conner Reeves adds further musical variety and lyrical interest.

Reflecting on the final album masters Terry Lewis remarks ”Strong songs, rich sounds, musical cohesion, great arrangements and performances. I've done more intensive listening on this record than any of the previous ones – it's not wearing out for me'. 
Andy Platts concludes, “Music isn't made to exist in a vacuum, now the goal is to take this music that we love and are so proud of, and use it to connect with as many people as possible.”

Indeed, in turbulent times, Mamas Gun’s music certainly connects and is a welcome balm for the soul. Uplifting, questing, nourishing and golden, DIG! is a pure delight to experience and without a doubt their most accomplished album to date.