Fred and the Healers – No Escape

With our sixth album, No Escape, we invite you on a journey through the unyielding truths of life: the passage of time, the sting of deception, and the inevitable rise and fall that shapes us all. Yet, within these struggles lies the heartbeat of resilience—embodied in the album’s centerpiece, The Escape, a contradiction that whispers hope amidst sorrow.

This record isn’t just music—it’s a reflection of life lived. It’s blues born in the unlikely Belgian countryside and shaped by decades of passion and authenticity. When we started in 1994, people noticed us for our youth, our determination, and our connection to the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Stevie Ray Vaughan or Johnny Winter. Today, in a virtual world crowded of guitar heroes prioritizing speed and perfection over depth, we’re driven by something timeless: emotion. While trends favour the immediate and polished, our music embraces the slow, introspective, and imperfect nature of true blues & roots music. Like Albert, BB, and Freddie King, we don’t just play the blues—we live it.

No Escape is steeped in the legacy of Chicago’s and Texas’  electric blues, British blues, and the raw edge of American roots music. It’s old-school roots & blues music with a twist, crafted with a contemporary touch that respects tradition while pushing boundaries. Across 12 tracks, you’ll hear stories of heartbreak, loss, and defiance—yet also feel the spark of hope, a call to keep moving forward. For this album, the guitar takes center stage with a style that’s powerful, authentic, yet fragile and sensitive. Every note carries the weight of experience and vulnerability, combining raw intensity with delicate nuance. It’s a voice that speaks as much through its quiet moments as it does through its roaring solos.

For the first time, we worked with an artistic director, Walter Broes, whose guidance brought fresh dimensions to our music. With his extensive solo career, or with the Seatsniffers, and his numerous collaborations over the years, Walter brings a profound understanding of blues and roots music, adding a wealth of experience and authenticity. Walter helped us explore vibes and nuances we hadn’t discovered on our own, adding depth and subtlety to the sound while preserving the essence of what makes Fred and the Healers unique.

This record is personal, and it’s made to connect. Whether you’re hearing us for the first time or you’ve been following us since our early days, we want these songs to feel like they’re yours too. It’s not about flash—it’s about feeling. It’s about finding a piece of yourself in the music, as we’ve found pieces of ourselves in the blues greats.

Track List

1          The pulse                                       

2          Wise man                                       

3          Big bang                                        

4          Another fall                                   

5          The escape                                   

6          Love jungle                                   

7          Lonesome light                            

8          Blood and guts                             

9          A fool’s journey                            

10       Back to basics                              

11       The deputy manager                   

12       No love for old men                     

Album credits

Fred and the Healers – No escape

Words and music by Frédéric Lani.

Produced by Walter Broes

Personnel

Frédéric Lani – guitar & vocals, percussion

Bertrand Lani – bass & backing vocals

Nicolas Sand – drums, percussion & backing vocals

Additional musician

Walter Broes – guitars, backing vocals, percussion

Recorded by David Minjauw at Noise Factory and Studio Simonnes

Mixed by David Minjauw at Studio Simonnes

Mastered by Pieter De Wagter at Equus Mastering

Drum technician: Marc Harazin – Guitar technician: Christophe Bodnar

Cover picture and design – Jean-Marie Lani.

Inner picture by Vincent Houdart

Layout by Laurent Gillard – Artworks Company

Executive producer – Grooveering

Mechanical licence – Fred and the Healers Productions / Oompah Beat Records

Digital licence – Team 4 Action

Published by Team 4 Action

Distributed in Benelux by [PIAS]

Booking – Annick Bodson at Roots Corner by Rock Nation – annick@rock-nation.be

Recorded, produced and promoted with the support of Wallonie Bruxelles Musique

Fred thanks AMS Amplifiers & Denzo Custom Guitarz

Special thanks to our fans, families and friends

In loving memory of our dearly departed parents, relatives and friends