HALF TERM REPORT
WHEN MY mother fell back on January 20th, she taught me more in the following 3 days about the fragility of life than any record or book ever could. I was completely numb. It made the darkest days of my hitherto battles with life seem like a party. I kept looking at my records and putting my head in my hands, but ever so slowly I began hearing music again. Eventually I tried playing a toon, but it just sounded like a slab of plastic. I put my head in my hands again.
Eventually I tried again and something magical happened and I was listening as intensely as I have ever done. It was a slab of plastic, but the escape it gave me was invaluable. I had amassed quite a few un-played records, so had a lot of cardboard envelopes to open and cellophane to remove until finally, in March 2019, resumed.
The first record that captivated me was a reissue of Michael O'Shea's self-titled LP on AllChival records. No Journey's End is amazing and stayed on repeat for an age. I also played a lot of music that supported me in my teens after my father's death. What I now call my healing music.
An intriguing record that also captured my attention is by ind_fris titled Sink In. Its sparse and breezy compositions are intricate enough to really work on the senses. A properly stimulating record. Airplane Going Nowhere is my favourite track but I play it all the way through coz it's that strong. Must also mention FAREL's Friday in July, which is a delightful breezy affair.
Reminiscent of the sun-kissed jazzy fare often found in the growing bin. Yorgos has sent over the duo's next song, and it's accomplished. Less jazzy but more breezy. Only hope something physical evolves from this material. Like a vinyl record. A sublime bit of vinyl came out on 5 Gate Temple records by Gossiwor and the winner is Domestic Saga # 2 (All is Lost). A proper epic journey of a track. Cheers Rem Gow, again!
Left Ear records have re-released a couple of beauty's. Lungile Masitha's Makoti is a proper pulsating beast that dates from 1985 but sounds like right now. On a mellower tip, the Abuja LP by Jay U Xperience is deep and mystical. Back to the Motherland sets this 1993 long-player off superbly and the experience is mesmerizing. Another label worth watching is La Casa Tropical, who dropped a bomb by P.V.P titled Si Ya Jola. Low-slung dynamite.
On the 7 inch reissue tip, the pick of the crop has been Just A Star's Smiles on the buy on sight Backatcha label. Incredible. Another unique seven that has given me a lot of fun is the De Toesrisme EP by Paul Jansen & Zn. A Basso buy from Holland. Enough said. For a further taste of what's spinning on the turntable, check this - https://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/573189-Sock_Free_Hideaway/4783344-Chart/
2 books have also transported me to Chicago's house era. To say the epic and scholarly Do You Remember House? : Chicago's Queer of Color Undergrounds by Micah E. Salkind is definitive is an understatement. Great first-hand accounts to boot. The book is tempered by last years Beyond Heaven : Chicago House Party Flyers from 1983-1989. Beautifully reproduced from the archive of Mario 'Liv It Up' Luna. So lucky to have had this escape from my reality.
Spinning the Antoine Kogut Remixes twelve at first reminded me of what a great album he released and then of the time I tried booking Syracuse only to hit a stumbling block. I totally sat at ease with its magic, working my senses. But then, for some unfathomable reason, randomly got in touch with Antoine to see if he was playing the UK soon. I thought his label, Versatile, may have something planned.
I realized they hadn't and reminding myself about the fragility of life and all the plans I had stored up, asked him if he fancied playing Manchester. I needed a pet project to inject a good memory into my year, but this is proving to be a labour of love. I wanted Ménage à Trois to play Oldham Gallery, but never got the idea past the gallery's admin team. Music always reaffirms my faith in people and always gives me something solid to at the hold on to, so with sincerity of heart and in the words of ABBA I say 'thank you.'
