Band Spectra

‘Human Reciprocator’ is a politically-charged collaboration between Band Spectra (aka disabled musician Robert Manning) and critically-acclaimed Welsh multi-instrumentalist and producer The Anchoress (aka Catherine Anne Davies).

Catherine says: "Human Reciprocator was heavily inspired by an overdose on the toxic news cycle, ruminating on privilege and abuse of power in politics, deception, hypocrisy and the slow slide into a Britain steeped in poverty and a cost of living crisis while a political elite bluster and lie their way through a decade in power. Growing up with periods of my childhood relying on free school meals I am increasingly horrified at the proliferation of reliance on food banks while those in power become ever more detached from the realities of the working classes. Human Reciprocator is a reflection on the current state of affairs.“

‘Human Reciprocator’ was inspired by West Germany's 1970s Krautrock movement, coupled with the vocal expressiveness of David Bowie's Low album and is the very first single to be taken
from Band Spectra's forthcoming debut album. The collaboration is Band Spectra’s first release on The Music Federation and it is the result of discontent, disillusionment, and anger over the current political landscape in the UK.

Robert says: "Band Spectra began as a therapeutic endeavour following a passing recommendation by a neuropsychologist to use music as an aid to try to combat a decline in my health as a result of Multiple Sclerosis. Recognising the frustrating lack of visibility and
significant barriers faced by disabled musicians within the music industry and with the help of Arts Council funding, I made an album of remote collaborations during a challenging period of shielding, with the intention of celebrating and raising awareness of disability and diversity.
‘Human Reciprocator’, the first song written for the album, started as a primitive idea: a 909 motorik beat; a driving Moog bassline and Leo Abraham’s cacophonous experimental guitar saw the tentative beginnings of what (18 months later) translated into the perfect hostile
foundation for Catherine's powerful and veracious political lyrics."