Research-led plastic soul, featuring Mark Eitzel (vocals on track 1). Philip Kane is the nom de plume of educationalist, columnist and author, Phil Beadle. Flowers and Ledges is his third album. His 'Songs for Swinging Lovers' was described as "a ragged graceful revelation" in Uncut and reviewed by Rolling Stone as "a stunning collection of neo soul songs." Chris Roberts writes: "A rock star disguised as a teacher-preacher dressed as a 19th century poet posing as a 21st century visionary disguised as a retro-sexual soul man, Philip Kane is possessed of/by a voice which can circumnavigate any resistance like water winding through rocks. Having lectured and hectored and risen again like a specter smelling of nectar, he now produces his first album in a decade, one which bears the name Flowers And Ledges and which appears to blend dandyism, Tourettes and a toreador's antipathy to caution and compromise. It is at once florid and legendary. 'Research-led soul'. Is there such a thing? Kane thinks so, ably demonstrating that whatever this thing is, it works, and plays with your synapses. As a self-described Left Wing educationalist, one who believes in the one-two of compassion and perseverance, Kane has clearly done his homework, and he does not flinch from the most candid and caustic of subject matter, calling for Inner City Optimism, which is just one of the good, good things that make him want to holler, "Kindness saves!" Throughout this album of music, the Kane vocal strides tall and flies free, hitting its mark and luxuriating in its lines about socialism and sensibility. Around it, musicians of dazzling proficiency, tenderness and imagination stroke its ego, straighten its tie and loosen its belt, telling it that its hair looks fabulous. "