Since 2011 the blues orientated ‘The High Commissioners’ have been fully immersing themselves within London’s music scene. Consisting of vocalist Will Hanley, drummer Domenico Bartolo, lead guitarists Felix Rebaud-Sauer and Facundo Rodriguez, the blues disciples not only claim to be fervent followers of said genre, but also proclaim to be no dear strangers to sounds such as 60s surf pop, neo-psychedelia and Californian Rock and Soul.

On offer today is the bands four track “Promotional Set” consisting of  “All day long”, “Friendly neighbourhood dealer”, “Look down the spiral” and “Sleep when your dead”. The above influences can be heard clearly throughout, but it is the blues that discernibly remains the bands musical linchpin.

“All day long” is a soulful finger picking affair, with an element of ‘Pride and Glory’s “Losing your Mind”. The song demands to be played whilst driving one handed, sunglasses on, straw grass in tooth, whilst looking at yourself-self in the rear view mirror and commenting “who’s that cool dude?”.

In contrast are “Friendly neighbourhood dealer” and “Look down the spiral”. Both laid back encounters that would be any landlords dream accompaniment to his low-lit smoke-filled blues bar. The vocals on “Look down the spiral” bring to mind ‘Temple of the Dog’ as the tempo and dejected lyrics conjure images of a downbeat crooner, whisky in one hand and cigarette in the other. Hauntingly self-reflecting and 100% blues, this is sure to be a popular fan favourite.

Finally is the more rock abundant “Sleep when your dead”. The song has a touch of Stevie Ray Vaughn, a compliment to any blues aficionado, and the catchy chorus hook instantly induces you to wiggle and tap your wingtips/loafers to the solid bass-line and soulfully sung lyrics.

To sum up ‘The High Commissioners’ the words of blues legend Albert Collins rings true “Simple music is the hardest music to play and blues is simple music”.

‘The High Commissioners’ full debut album “Studies” is currently available for download at their website highlycommissioned.co.uk.

Reviewed by Steve Love