Until the summer of 2018, the summer of 1976 was the hottest summer in Europe in recent memory. Now, it’s also the topic of the first single by Astral Drive. A song that doesn’t only lyrically takes us 42(!) years back in time, but sonically as well. It’s a very well executed 70s pastiche, that recalls memories of Todd Rundgren. Not in the least because it features backing vocals from Kasim Sulton, who was once in the band Utopia with Rundgren.

Astral Drive’s eponymous album is the brain child of Phil Thornalley, and embodies his vision of a long lost album from the 1970s that only existed in his own mind. The songwriter, engineer and producer has a long history in the music business. He worked with artists as diverse as The Cure, Psychedelic Furs, The Jam, Duran Duran, Paul McCartney, and Natalie Imbruglia (he produced and co-wrote her worldwide smash hit Torn), played in Johnny Hates Jazz and just came back from nearly two years of touring the world as Bryan Adams’ bass player.

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Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.