King Biscuit Time is the solo project of former Beta Band chap Steve Mason, and it may be over just as the debut album is released.

The tour to promote Black Gold has been cancelled after Mason posted an online note suggesting that he may have quit music altogether.

The departure may only be temporary, however, as Mason is reported to be battling depression, and the latest news is that he shall return when he feels better.

It's a real shame that the tour was cancelled, as a live performance of these songs could have been stunning.

Black Gold is an impressively eclectic collection of wistful and political folk, pop, rock, electro and dancehall that melds together more brilliantly than should be allowed.

Genre-bending shouldn't be this easy, but the different musical influences gel together so well here that categorisation no longer seems relevant.

Hope that Mason gets well soon: music will be less exciting, intelligent and beautiful without him.

Released May 15, 2006