My interest in Jadis was piqued due to its current line up, which includes Martin Orford, John Jowit and Stephen Christey. In my younger days  when I first got in to band I would investigate any side projects  that the members were involved with, which was expensive, especially given the fact that both Orford and  Jowit are also members of the band IQ. However Jadis is built around the song wring and guitar playing skills of  Gary Chandler  and with Photoplay the band have produced a quintessential English "prog" album with big "pop" overtones.

Among the influences that can detect be detected on the album are the likes of Pink Floyd, Marillion, IQ, Asia, It Bites, Mike and the Mechanics and Rush - Canadian I know but obviously a huge influence. However the biggest comparison that one can make would be with a Del Amtri of all people, mainly due to the fact the vocals throughout and especially on the track All You’ve Ever Known sounds like that particular band.

The first three tracks on this album are all great tracks and the final instrumental, Photoplay, is stunning The remaining six tracks are adequate inn prog terms, but the singers vocals prove to a bit monotonous after a while and although by no means bad, tend to be just a bit samey with very little light and shade, unlike the music itself. Photoplay is not an album I’ll play in its entirety again and again, but rather one to dip into from time to time. 

If you’re a fan of any the bands listed above  you will find something to interest you and on this evidence the lads are all very talented and I might just make the effort to go and see them in Rotherham on the 8th July at the CRS gig.

Let us know your views on 'Photoplay'

Track List

There's A Light
What Goes Around
Asleep In My Hands
Standing Still
I Hear Your Voice
Make Me Move
Who I Am
Need To Breathe
Please Open Your Eyes
All You've Ever Known
Photoplay

Line Up

Gary Chandler - Guitar/Vocals
Martin Orford - Keyboards
John Jowit - Bass
Stephen Christey - Drums