Uncle G’s FUN Music Reviews: Benjamin Croft – We Are Here To Help (2024)

03 August 2024

Uncle G’s FUN Music Reviews
Spotlight: Benjamin Croft – We Are Here To Help (2024)

By Gary “Uncle G” Brown
GaryBrown@garyunclegbrownarchives.com

I have a friend who does music promotion. We’ve known each other since the late 1990s. I’m on his mailing list, so I can find out how business is going and who he has been promoting lately. Because of this friendship, I’ve been labeled a hack by a few. This would be someone who writes positive things about whatever, while secretly not caring. It’s just putting on an act to get paid. Lying! The old altar boy and boy scout from years past who still resides within me would never do that. And I haven’t. In all the review-write-ups I have done over the years, my opinions have been real. My main rule is; that if I have an interest, I may write about it. I’ve been asked in the past, point-blank for a write-up. A publicist needed someone to say how awesome some concept album was, and in my head, it wasn’t. I think they might have gotten a little pissed off because, after several requests for me to say something nice about it, I just kept saying no. That’s how that conversation ended. I tried to be nice about it. The person got over it. Makes sense. Maybe corny or old-fashioned by today’s standards. I have to be true to myself. Regarding authoring anything, if the spark isn’t there, I’m not typing one word. Shame on those who accused me of otherwise.

AND ON WITH THE SHOW…

“Uncle G” DISCUSSES…Benjamin Croft – We Are Here To Help (2024)

This is my second article regarding Mr. Croft’s music. Back in 2021, I wrote about what was then, Ben’s newest release; Benjamin Croft: Far And Distant Things. I gave it a 5 out of 5-star review. I included background information on Ben. I remember receiving some good feedback about it. For those curious as to what I said:

www.garyunclegbrownarchives.com/2021/09/15/uncle-gs-fun-music-reviews-benjamin-croft-far-and-distant-things-2021/

In a nutshell, and let’s say that you’re one of those people who like to read whatever I put out there, regardless of the subject matter, and don’t know this, Benjamin Croft is a young, highly skilled, properly trained professional musician from England. Has seen success and has a bright future ahead of

This album was recorded in London and Brighton between March and December of 2022. Benjamin plays keyboards on every song. There are 8 of them. All are produced, arranged, and written by the keyboardist. Half are instrumentals, and four compositions have a vocalist. Two vocalists in total. Beautiful lyrics by Marsha Swanson. I am aware of one singer. He’s from a badass hard rock band called; Sons Of Apollo. The man’s name is; Jeff Scott Soto. That band went south when their drummer recently decided to leave for greener pastures. Big anniversary shows! Whoopie! I’ll be sure to miss it. Meanwhile, Jeff sounds great here. And since I opened the door for singers, the two other tunes with a vocalist are performed by a very pretty-sounding lady; Lynsey Ward. Adult contemporary music. It’s all very pleasant. Begs repeat plays.

So I found out that Ben has a new studio album coming out. I see a list of performers. Ben is the focus and the others involved, revolve around him. Or vice-versa. With this album, Ben blends in with the other players, allowing them the opportunity to shine. You know he’s there. The credits will inform you of a boatload of keyboards that he plays on here. Sixteen different ones. Here’s one that I like; Hammond B3/C3.

Speaking of weaving the sounds of what they are doing, and carrying the beat throughout, Ben has two drummers on here; Simon Phillips and Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats). Simply outstanding at what they do. I met Marco around a decade ago. I asked him about playing with Eddie Jobson and John Wetton. The reformed band that some might recognize is called; UK. I saw a video of a gig they did, and Marco’s drum playing was spot-on. And get this, Jeff’s singing style at times, reminds me of the late John Wetton. I saw him in concert twice. Once with Asia, and the other on his own; The John Wetton Band. I digress. On Ben’s, We Are Here To Help, accompanying the guys carrying the beat, are bass players whose playing either stands out or blends in. One of these players and he’s on two songs; Billy Sheehan.

As mentioned, the music here in general, I would consider, is intended for grown-ups. Different musician styles. Sometimes, multiple timing changes throughout the same song. From hard rock to soft rock to some jazz fusion, to a nice song you might hear while at the supermarket, it’s all here. A nice resume of what Benjamin Croft is capable of. His, We Are Here To Help, isn’t his first release and it certainly won’t be his last.

Uncle G’s FAVORITE Songs off…

Benjamin Croft – We Are Here To Help (2024 Galactic Receiver)

I was given a new pair of earbuds. Very sweet of the lady who gave them to me. I have a birthday coming up. We exchange presents. I’ll try to get her something nice, in return.

I got a digital reviewer’s copy of this release. It’s off to the gym, I go. Don’t get the wrong idea, for I’m not Mr. Universe. Trying to prevent the aging process from doing its worst (and it will). I do a light workout, a few times a week. Keeps me going. As does listening to the first track to ‘We Are Here To Help’ called; The Age Of Magrathea. A tip of the hat to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy? It’s a guess. The song itself is a very busy, off-the-beaten trail, instrumental with a lot included in its 7:14 time frame. Additional listens are guaranteed. On lead guitar is a phenomenal player; Greg Howe. Additional guitar sounds are provided by Carter Arrington, and on bass Stuart Hamn. Marco on drums and our fearless leader Ben, you remember him, on the keys and making it count.

The fourth track is called; Caught In The Flypaper. Reminds me of something Mike Oldfield might do. In part, anyway. A nice flowing piece of music, with a juicy center. Vocalist Lynsey Ward is perfect. Four others, including Ben, make up what’s needed to create one of the best songs on the album. Needless to say… an excellent presentation, and by the way, an example of a songwriter who knows how to pen a song.

Note: I enjoy the whole album from beginning to end.

“Uncle G” RATES…Benjamin Croft – We Are Here To Help (2024 Galactic Receiver)

Using the one to five-star review system where one star means it’s tits up, and not even worth using the pressed CD as a drink coaster, to five stars which means it’s worth spending your hard-earned money on it, “Uncle G” rates Benjamin Croft – We Are Here To Help (2024)…5 stars! Great sound quality! Nice mix! A pleasure to listen to with the earbuds. Sounds good played aloud, as well.

Amazon Music has this new release in HD sound. Check it out, if subscribed. Please give Ben a ‘follow’ while there. Check out whatever else they have to offer regarding Mr. Croft or any of the phenomenal players that are on this album.

Mr. Croft launched ‘We Are Here To Help‘ on a new label he is behind, at the beginning of May.

I try to get something out if I’m going to give an opinion, within a month of its release. That’s when it’s hot! My apologies to all involved for the lateness. I do wish I could have done this, a little sooner. Other things besides music have been interesting to me, lately. I live in Las Vegas (NV USA), so you can only imagine how easily it is to become distracted. The stories I could tell. Because music is such a big part of my life, and I wanted to hear Ben’s new music, I did put this aside and am now glad I decided to dig into it. So will you!

For more information:
Website: https://www.benjamincroftmusic.com/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/BenjaminCroftMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenjaminCroftMusic
Instagram: https://instagram.com/benjamincroftmusic?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@benjamincroftmusic8126?si=vPQwYyHhEPJOAoNY
TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeVaKVED/

Promotion: Glass Onyon PR – www.glassonyonpr.com

End of Article

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