When you think of voices that could define heavy Rock across the ages, you could do much worse than to name check GLENN HUGHES. Through a mixture of consistent quality (of work), graft and an enormous back catalogue that features collaborations with some of the finest musicians in the business, it's almost certain that somewhere in your music collection, there is something that features this man. Having spent a few years fronting the incredible BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION (soon to be reforming - bring on album 4 in 2017!), and CALIFORNIA BREED, this is a return to the studio for a solo HUGHES.

The best way to describe "Resonate" is as a great mix of soulful melodies, Hard Rock attitude and swagger. The riffs ooze classic pre-Metal appeal, and the sheer soul in the vocals is uplifting. HUGHES' bass playing is solid; the tightness with which he connects with the drumming of Pontus Engborg really gives the bottom end and a huge rhythmic punch. Engborg splits drumming duties on the album with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS skinsman Chad Smith - who guests on the opening and closing numbers.

The rest of the band seem to be having an incredible time, with the joy really shining through. However, outside of Hughes himself, it's the keyboard work of Lachy Doley that truly stands out. The Fender Rhoads tones and his aggressive playing style recall everything from Jon Lord's work with DEEP PURPLE to really deep soulful leads and very down-low bluesy riffs. The intro to "Steady" is a real testament to this, as it commences 6.36 minutes of sheer uplifting musical joy.

Almost all of "Resonate" is the same kind of 70s rock, however, the closing bonus track "Nothing's the Same" is an incredible, haunting ballad comprised of acoustic guitar and strings that ends the album on an amazing, peaceful note.
Whilst the bonus track may be a complete U-turn from the rest of the album, one thing that weighs "Resonate" down is the lack of variety. The songs all have a similarity which, while being definitively the Glenn Hughes "Style", are all formulaic and predictable, with most of them being interchangeable not only this release, but between a large portion of the rest of his output from the last 40 years.

Nevertheless, whilst the songs may lack variety, they are all very well crafted and played with enormous energy and passion; creating a strong Rock record from a living legend of the Rock world. It's not for nothing that Glenn Hughes has been dubbed "The Voice of Rock".