After leading Art to Supernatural Fairy Tales, Mike Harrison formed Spooky Tooth, a group who illuminated the late 60s and early 70s with their blues-rock. His last solo album appeared in 1975 and after that, Harrison distanced himself from the music industry. With Late Starter he dips his toes back into the water with an album of covers, backed by a fine band assembled by Harrison and executive producer, Mike Karl Maslen, who persuaded the singer to return to the studio.
Unlike former X Factor winners, Harrison has the balls and ballast to not only pay tribute to the likes of Otis Redding and Etta James, but paint their musical fireplaces with his own vocal colour. Harrison’s rasping, yet soulfully blue, voice is perfect for Night Time, Your Good Thing Is About To End and I’ve Got Dreams To Remember. It’s an album of warm surprise for those who recall when Harrison was dubbed ‘the white Ray Charles’ (he really gets his hand into the glove of the master’s Drown In My Own Tears). The gospel shout of Let’s Go Get Stoned is also a winner, showing that Harrison has still got it what it takes.
