Ben Mellor won the Write Out Loud-organised North West heat of the BBC Radio 4 slam championship, before going on to win the final. His recently-released CD is reviewed here by Cynthia Buell Thomas.

Ben Mellor’s CD ‘Light Made Solid’ is a shortened version of his book of the same name. ‘Light Made Solid’ from   “I am light made solid”  (On Paper) is an ingenious summary of his philosophy of modern revolution: it is within the power of the pen to abort society’s dissolution - with Art, not Arms. For Ben, that literary form is Poetry, the universal essence of Passion and Truth. “Poetry begins when people need to raise their voice”  (Poetry Begins).

He explores intensely social and political issues from a local to a global scale. ‘Would Mandela have won if first he’d reached for pen and not for gun?’ (Faster Than A Speeding Poem). But, having set a plausible thesis of international ‘poetry power’, he turns back on himself with honest doubt, asking the big question “art or activism”? (Conshuss)

These poems are aimed at a general ‘middle audience’, with fast lines capable of being absorbed quickly. They beat along with hip-hop energy, deceptively conversational in tone, relentless in attack, rife with raw humour. As poetry with its pulse on the people, meant to entertain and morally instruct, it is similar to the intent of Mediaeval ‘Everyman’. His skilful use of current slang and political ‘labels’ may slip by some listeners. Still, with clever improvisations on fairytales like  ‘Little Red Riding Hoody’, powerful modern points punch through: ‘That being listened to/Far from being heard/Comes just before/Being ignored.’

The clarity of Ben’s speech and his dynamic delivery ensure that his basic ‘message’ engages everyone successfully. Generally, the musical backgrounds are supportive. On the second track, ‘On Paper’, some sound effects drown the spoken words and divide attention, especially those like scrunching tinfoil that assault alternate ears. And perhaps the ‘scratching of the quill’ idea is just too esoteric for our digital century. A few ambitious ‘sound quirks’ aside, his  incisive writing challenges individual and group complacencies on a global community scale. This CD assures that a listener will become a reader to explore the magic of Mellor even further, delving into his Renaissance scope of interests: politics, science, finance, history, religions and ‘the Classics’. Ben Mellor’s verse challenges the well-versed.

The CD and book Light Made Solidare available from Flapjack Press for a combined price of £10.00. Separately, the CD is £5.00, the book £7.50.Contact paul@mucusart.co.uk www.flapjackpress.co.uk