Not so much a case of ‘remember this guy?’ but more ‘join the music revolution’, so many bands these days are relying on their own labels, or the download market to satisfy their fans that it is unsurprising to realise that artists like Ray Wilson, now back and touring with his group Stiltskin, while also still solo-releasing, can make a very comfortable living by retaining their independence. While the Dumfriesshire singer-songwriter, renowned for his slightly ‘gothic’ but incredibly alluring vocal quality, continues to enjoy a truly international following, his latest album, Propaganda Man, is probably one of the finest of his career so far.

Ray’s one and only shot at major international fame came with him replacing Phil Collins as the lead singer of Genesis in 1996/7. It is my firm belief that the young man (he was in his late-20s at the time) grew much wiser and matured on the back of that exposure, even though, ultimately and through no fault of his own, the ‘Calling All Stations’ album and tour was not quite as successful as previous Genesis outings. Yet, he was credited rightly with some of the song-writing for that album and that same influence can be heard throughout the wondrous new solo effort.

Ray has immense experience of acoustic sets, an aspect which is reflected in the well-rounded sounds that he and his fellow band members produce at Stiltskin gigs. Listening to each of the eleven tracks of his latest oeuvre, it is clear that Ray has sought to create a soundscape of remarkable intensity, possessing a lyrical brilliance that highlights his broad church of education. To a certain extent, I wish I could focus on a stand-out track from the album but there is not one single track (except perhaps the title one) that warrants such an activity.

In fact, there is such a powerful, homogeneous quality to this album that each track seems to flow faultlessly into the next with scarcely a beginning or end in existence. To me, that makes this the perfect CD for album buyers as there is such an effortless blend into the next movement, such are its high orchestral values. The backing is first-class and packed with guitar highlights and fills that enhance and colourise the potentially dark and vibrant stories that Ray tells.

Supported by Ali Ferguson on lead guitar and backing vocals, Lawrie MacMillan on bass and backing vocals and Ashley MacMillan on drums and percussion, what results is a thought-provoking, fulsome musical experience that can be listened to time and time again without ever tiring of it. Ray is on tour at present, fulfilling a hectic schedule of dates across Europe, with a predominance in Germany, where he has a particularly strong fan-base. His solitary UK appearance this year will be at The Bull & Gate, London, 9th October, with Stiltskin.