Acid jazz originators Galliano prove they can still take their signature sound all the way to the top on Halfway Somewhere, their first album in nearly 30 years.
Halfway Somewhere marks the return of Galliano, one of the pioneering forces behind London's underground scene of the late ‘80s. Almost three decades have passed since they graced our stereos with their distinctive brand of acid jazz, and now they’re back to remind us that good things come to those who wait. Galliano was never just a band, they were a cultural movement that transcended music, embracing art, dance, fashion, and even the written word. When they debuted on Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud label in 1990 with Welcome To The Story, they didn’t just reflect the scene, they helped define it. The single, “Circles Going Round The Sun,” is a nostalgic meditation on the unity that comes with dancing together in clubs. “The first time you dance, you break boundaries between matter and spirit, self and other, individual and group,” vocalist Rob Gallagher reflects. The track pieces together tributes to dance culture pioneers like Andrew Weatherall and David Mancuso, alongside nods to writer George Mackay Brown and artist Mark Leckey, showcasing the band’s signature ability to merge disparate influences into a singular groove.
“Everything seemed to coalesce at that time,” continued Gallagher, reminiscing about the early days. “We were pulling from everything we could get our hands on - old Jamaican style books, records from the Last Poets and Watts Prophets - it was all about re-invention.” Decked out in Gabicci sweaters, beads, and skullcaps, Galliano became synonymous with the acid jazz movement that infected London’s underground clubs and warehouse parties.
Joining Gallagher on this new journey is his long-time partner, vocalist Valerie Etienne, alongside Galliano veterans Ernie McKone on bass, Crispin Taylor on drums, and Ski Oakenfull on keys. They’ve also enlisted a fantastic lineup of guest musicians, including saxophonist Jason Yarde and percussionist Crispin "Spry" Robinson. While the Galliano of the past might have drawn inspiration from the records they heard in clubs, today’s version is taking cues from the global jazz scene, with influences ranging from London’s Total Refreshment Centre to Chicago’s International Anthem.
More than forty years since they first came together, Galliano’s Halfway Somewhere suggests that while they may be only halfway along their journey, they’re clearly enjoying the ride. “I think the stars have to be aligned when you redo things,” Gallagher muses. “It’s different now, coming at it from this new door. But once it’s existing, it is something. I’m just still figuring out what that something is.”