THE band of a songwriter and musician based in the Wye Valley has released a new album, featuring top session and studio musicians.

The new release Music written by Chepstow-based Nick Rinjani has been mastered by Stuart Bruce, the man behind hits such as Rio by Duran Duran and the multi-million selling single Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid.

And it’s been put together with session drummer Rob Brian, who has worked with the likes of Simple Minds, Peter Gabriel and Goldfrapp, keyboard player Dean Temmink and synthpop vocalist Elisa.

Lead singer, guitarist and producer Nick describes the songs recorded in Chepstow as “contemporary new-wave and electro-funk.”

“We wanted to produce an album of epic tunes with killer hooks and big choruses,” he says. 

“We went back to the great music of the late 70s and early 80s for inspiration and then blended that feel with contemporary production values which will hopefully bring these classic sounding tunes to a new audience.

“The best of the past taken into the future.

“We have written the album we wanted to hear and we hope you love it too.

“We were frustrated that nobody was making the music we love.

“We are huge fans of new-wave, electro-funk and synth-pop – anything with killer hooks and an awesome chorus.

“Our influences include Daft Punk, The Killers, David Bowie, ABC, Japan, Nile Rod- gers and all the great artists who make brilliantly-constructed pop songs.

“Music rooted in those brilliant years from 1975 to 1985 but with a cool, contemporary and current sound.

“For all you synth and drum machine fans – the sound of the Linn drum, the Moog, the DX7, the 808 and the Prophet.”

Stuart Bruce, who mastered the album, has also worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Lana del Rey, and the finished product, which was released at the end of September has been described as “a great album from the best new-wave band you somehow missed”.

The first single is You Can Dance which Nick says features “a cool, urban video” filmed in Dubai, London, Gloucestershire and Chepstow and includes the work of choreographer Beky Humphreys and her streetdance team. 

The second single Kiss the Sky was filmed at Lancaut Quarry near Tutshill (pictured left), where rock climbers were surprised to see a guitarist standing on the edge of a cliff and Symonds Yat in the Wye Valley.

He says that since news of the album came out, he has added more than 4,000 new fans to the Rinjani Facebook following in just two weeks. 

“Fans already include Nile Rodgers’ lead vocalist Folami and the legendary duo, Hall and Oates,” he adds.