Reviewed by Doug Holland

The current Household Troops Band was formed in 1985 by Major John Mott, just about 100 years after the original one which a short time later metamorphosed into the International Staff Band. It comprises musicians drawn from many different Salvation Army centres and is known for its annual August tour of (usually) seaside locations in the UK. This 19-track, 76-minute collection of marches and other pieces comprises items of a generally steady pace, but this continuity is deliberate and is designed to allow the melodies to take centre stage against rhythm parts that are in the main simple and spacious. In spite of the general evenness of pace there is still plenty of variety and musical interest, and opportunities for the contributions of several sections of the band to be highlighted in the listener's ears. This is solid, up-lifting band music that relies for its effect on the use of tried and tested performance pieces presented simply.

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