It’s been a long wait, but it’s about to feel very worthwhile. ArtiGussy is proud to bring the much-missed spirit of real rock ‘n’ roll with him. Nearly five years on, Arti is totally match-fit and ready to return with a new band — but the same unshakeable passion for music that got him noticed in the first place. ‘ArtiGussy’ ARTI’s first album for six years, is co-produced by himself with his mate, supporter and longtime collaborator, the mighty Flat Ed. If the eternal quest for any band is to generate the electricity of their live performances in the studio, then ArtiGussy have caught lightning in a bottle. ‘ArtiGussy’ is an album that fans of undiluted rocking soul will be ravenous for. It sounds like a melting pot of various pop rock influences. The album also sees him renewing his working relationship with Flat Ed, who co-produced all tracks, just as he did many years ago, at his Home Studios in Carcassonne. Flat Ed also sings backing vocals and plays some groovy guitar parts. He also contributes organ, synth, Minimoog and Mellotron to the album, and ARTI can even be heard on piano.

‘ArtiGussy’ is the much-anticipated evidence of the brilliant new combination the two boys have been working up, both in the studio and on stage.

While other complete careers have risen, fallen and faded away, ARTI has kept his counsel, stayed true to himself, dodged the meddlesome hands of corporate intervention and reminded everyone that good things don’t come quickly.

“I’ve basically just been doing different things,” says ARTI modestly. “A bit of it’s been about a matter of personal survival, and also getting to the stage of finding somewhere I could work.” Happily, that led him all back to Flat Ed’s.

“When I did the first demos for this album, working at home and at Flated’s was such an amazing experience,” ARTI says. “My first time doing an album, and to go to one of the quietest place in France. Doing anything after that, it makes you realise how lucky you were. I wouldn’t have got this far if it wasn’t with Flat Ed. He’s almost like a patron of music. I can’t have any regrets.”

That’s why ‘ArtiGussy’ has such a natural swagger about it. “Feeling the red light fever is what makes your recordings sound different to your live performance”. “So the more relaxed you are, the more like your live performance it’s going to be.”

Now, they’re completely in control of their own destiny, and not about to let anyone impose a sound or stick a label on them. “The only effect any of our experiences has had on us,” ARTI and Flat Ed go on, “is knowing not to do what people tell you, you should do, and do what you want to do.”

“As a mere craftsman, I feel like I’ve got nothing to prove, that it’s all done from music I want to make,” says ARTI. “I’ve just made an album I really like”!  LEROY DATEK