Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
New life is constantly being breathed into existence, not where it is expected, but where it is required most. In a time of uncertainty, in a period of unrest and upheaval, it is perhaps uniquely human to wonder where we stand, where we as a species have gone wrong, and whilst the answer remains in the realm of unchecked consumerism and want, the blame can also be placed at the way we treat our souls as if they are items for sale rather than to be nourished.
We give away our time as though the stars are falling in, and forgetting our place in the universe, that we are not the centre of attention, that we are but travellers finding their way round the Mother Of The Sun and hoping to see new life formed by the touch of its rays.
Legendary sounds find ways to keep life going, as is to be expected in the modern age, nothing truly leaves us forever, however it is the unexpected return of one the true icons of the art that sees the Mother of the Sun rejoice at the way we have acknowledged Jefferson Starship first set of new tracks in 12 years.
It’s About Time, as David Freiberg, Donny Baldwin, Cathy Richardson, Chris Smith and Jude Gold note in the lead single from the recording, and one that sees the ever shining Grace Slick give her own endorsement to the endeavour with her co-written song. Life is about Time, and the timing of these particular songs is one of necessity to the system as they seem to bring a sense of balance to way the many incarnations and line ups of the band have gone through, even morphing into several other bands across the much hallowed time itself.
Arguably the loss of the sublime leadership of Paul Kantner could have seen the band fold for good, but the strength of belief, and with inclusion of original member Pete Sears, who plays bass on three of the tracks, and a track written by Marty Balin, sees the confidence in the sound act a catalyst of beautiful persuasion.
Across the tracks It’s About Time, What Are We Waiting For?, Setting Sun, Runaway Again, Embryonic Journey and Don’t Be Sad Anymore, the pleasure gained from memory and from future possibilities, send shivers down the spine of anticipation, as well as a healthy injection of observation of the current way we live our lives dominating the overall feast to which the listener has been duly invited.
Mother of the Sun, the one that shines its light down upon us, has illuminated the sheer will of expression once more as Jefferson Starship return, all systems firing, all minds creatively in the same perfect space; not enough to say they have been missed, instead a huge welcome back is enough to get the blood pumping once more
Jefferson Starship release Mother Of The Sun on August 21st via Golden Robot Records.