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Recorded and produced by West Cornwall music maestro Dare Mason (Placebo Blow Monkeys, Soul II Soul Thirteen Senses) at the VIP Lounge it has taken four years of recording off and on, hard work, beer and tenacity to get it here.

Dare Mason says of ‘Nearer’ "It is rare for a producer to want to hear the finished album by the artist he's been working with more than once due to the fact that he has heard the songs hundreds of times.

However, "Nearer" is such a soulful album, full of good songs and great arrangements, that I can't resist going back to it. Smith is one hell of a songwriter."

Smith has also been lucky enough to be able to draw on the fantastic talents of friends such as bassist par excellence Rich Voisin(The Underbelly)on bass and Laura Kent on vocals together with brilliant local session players such as Dan Benney(Barkla Shop) and Tom (jazzmeister)Quirke.

On completion of the 10 track album in 2007 an early copy fell into the hands of Eden’s Creative Director Peter Hampel who believing it was techno dance music put it in his stereo and was so pleasantly surprised didn’t take it out for a couple of weeks.

‘I've been a great admirer of Chris Smith's guitar playing and vocals since I came down here in the late nineties and the completion of "Nearer" seems to capture his unique songwriting and playing talents perfectly with sensitive arrangements and endlessly rewarding array of songs.

We've been delighted to host him and his great musicians supporting the Sessions headliners over the last couple of years as we develop the platform here to showcase the very best of the South West artists at Eden. I am sure there will be many more performances to enjoy and Chris will always be welcome...’ - Peter Hampel

Summer 2009 the band enjoyed another opportunity to play a biome session before Oasis played their set on the main stage. Liam said to Chris directly in the intimate crowd that the album was ‘beeeautiful’ and that it made his eyes ‘sheeeinnne’, high praise indeed from the mighty long-parkered one. Noel a little while after raised his mono brow in encouragingly in Chris’s direction and said ‘maybeee my you’re wonderfall’ or something like that.. High praise indeed.

Songs from the album have received numerous plays on local and internet radio and have reached the finals of successive national song contests. Since completing the album Chris has enjoyed many opportunities to support brilliant local, national and international talent such as Ruarri Joseph, Newton Faulkner, Kate Walsh, Hayley Sales and Xavier Rudd.

He also continues to offer continued support to other local songwriters and bands and has enjoyed the enduring support of top music promoters SW1 most recently supporting Ben Taylor in his September visit to Falmouth's Princess Pavilion.

Katy Barnes of SW1 says

‘Nearer has shades of Bruce Hornsby, Jose Gonzalez and a male Sade, it’s the music you want to be blasting out on long roadtrips in your convertible across wide open landscapes. Smith’s haunting vocals, skilful guitar playing and beautifully crafted songs make wonderful listening...film and tv producers should be knocking at this guy’s door for a filmscore.’

The band currently going under the name of Lovegap () are looking forward to recording their next album this autumn/winter under the working title- Pimpology- A Self Help Guide to Pimping for the mmm asses.

Nearer is available to purchase from Chris himself at gigs, via email seasmithimages@aol.com, Kingsley Village, Fraddon, Porthtowan Beach Café, Boodies Ice Cream Parlour Porthtowan and in the coming weeks other less popular outlets such as Napster, itunes, HMV digital, Napster, Tesco Digital, Virgin Digital, emusic, O2, Orange or listen for free at www.myspace.com/seasmithimages or at Pressplay Promotions.

What others have said about ‘Nearer’’: ‘Wow! Great songs, great production’ – Tim Chapple Top of the Hill Records ‘Excellent songs and performance’- The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers ‘Would make the hairs stand up on the neck of a slickened racing badger’ – Peregrine Schmidt ‘His light is deeply hidden under a bushel’ -Andy Reeve Director Aardvark Records ‘Hold On’ is just brilliant’ – The Vinyls ‘Bloody fantasticsh’ –Auction for the Promise Club ‘Love your sound., Can I play your tracks on local radio The Source FM?’ www.thesourcefm.co.uk It is always a pleasure when your songs come on my ipod’ Grey Maybe ‘Love your tunes, real feel good essence especially ‘Sittin Here’ –Tom James ‘Loving your songs!Great Sound!’-Sam Naylor ‘Wonderful songs, especially ‘Hold On’ –Freedom Falls ‘I’m going to bum you into next week!’ Le Voisin ‘All ur choooooones r mint sir! ‘ Madam Mamoizett ‘Effing brilliant’ – The Stuntman ‘These tunes are top stuff’ –Tim Chapple –‘Top of the Hill Recordings’ ‘…amazing.Your songs are great! I swear I got goosebumps…’ Bea

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