THE BATELEURS channels the raw spirit of ’70s British and American blues-infused rock with a distinct twist, based on gritty guitar riffs, soulful powerhouse vocals, Hammond runs, and classic rock swagger. “A Light In The Darkness” is their upcoming new offering, and rocks greatly.
Singer Sandrine Orsini is a front-woman you need to hear. It’s sexy, fierce, the type the Seventies / Eighties personalities you need into a rock n’ roll band. And the rest of the guys really nailed the bluesy, classic hard rockin’ sound of yesteryear. Performances were captured without quantisation, autotune or heavy editing, aiming for live energy and clarity. Guests on the album expand the palette with slide guitar, Hammond organ, traditional flute and strings.
Opener ‘A Price For My Soul’ is a perfect example of THE BATELEURS’ groove, song heavy with Blues influences, with stripped down arrangements. The drums beat steadily, with a jittery percussive undercurrent that gives the track an unsettled, restless energy. When Sandrine’s rich, commanding voice comes in, packed with grit, it fills the room like smoke, smoldering and surging as she sings of weariness, sin, and bargaining with the unknown. Her vibrato trembles with intensity, building the narrative with every verse. She belts out truth, pain, and a desperate defiance.
Then ‘For All To See’ is a thunderous bluesy rocking number built on rich guitar tones and rooted in a driving rhythm section. Guest contributions from Tiago Maia on slide guitar and Nuno Louro on Hammond organ elevate the song’s atmosphere, adding texture and warmth. The arrangement leaves space for each element to shine without losing momentum.
Production-wise, “A Light In The Darkness” keeps things tight and unfussy. Each instrument is allowed to breathe, with enough grit to keep things interesting. There’s no over-polish here. These songs feels built to be played live and loud, in front of a sweaty crowd who knows what classic rock is all about.
Tracklist
01. A Price For My Soul 04:26
02. Widow Queen 04:10
03. For All To See 04:48
04. Dancing On A String 04:08
05. Never Back Down 04:37
06. The Lighthouse 07:29
07. Best Of Days 04:09
08. Gardens Of Babylon 04:40
09. Down The Garden Path 05:50
10. Before The Morning Is Done 04:21
Download:
Sandrine Orsini – Vocals
Ricardo Dikk – Bass
Ricardo Galro – Guitars
Rui Reis – Drums and Percursion
Special Guests:
Tiago Maia – Slide guitar on “For All To See”
Nuno Louro – Hammond Organ in “Gardens Of Babylon”, “The Lighthouse”, “For All To See” and “Down The Garden Path”
Joo Colao – Drums on “Widow Queen” and “Never Back Down”
Ruben Monteiro – Irish Whistle on “Before The Morning Is Done”
Niklos Pavlidis – Violin on “Before The Morning Is Done”
The Bateleurs – A Light In The Darkness (2025)
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