The music of Neal Francis is an exciting blend of rock, r&b, funky and boogie, with a touch of swing. On his new album, the artist offers a collection of haunted and painfully self-conscious pieces, inspired by Greek mythology, frenetic dreams and journeys into the heart of summer nights. True to its fascinating complexity, the singer/songwriter/pianist's second full length saw the light of day during a tumultuous year in which Francis lived inside a church in Chicago. The result is a portrait of profound upheaval and weary resilience, presented with a kaleidoscopic sound that absorbs the listener.
Mixed by Grammy winner Dave Fridmann (HAIM, Spoon, The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala), In Plain Sightsee Neal Francis again alongside the producer of his first album ChangesSergio Rios, known for his collaborations with CeeLo Green e Alicia Keys. Like its predecessor, the album focuses on the performances of Francis on the piano, at the same time precise and unbridled, the result of a long list of line-ups performing in Chicago clubs, before joining a funk band, The Heardand then decided to pursue a solo career.
Recorded entirely on tape with bandmates Kellen Boersma (guitar), Mike Starr (bass) and Collin O'Brien (drums), In Plain Sight is tasty and dreamlike, thanks to the continuous experimentation of Francis with a set of analogue synths that were lent to him by his friends during his stay in the church. Among the tracks on the album is Can't Stop The Rainembellished with an incendiary slide guitar solo by the legendary Derek Trucks.