THANK YOU FOR ENDING
MY YEAR, thankfully, petered out whilst so many folks capitulated to forces of darkness. With their moral compasses smashed and their ears turned to cloth, their red-faced anger is now all they have left. At the turn of the millennium, me and Rob cobbled together fanzine pieces titled Mentalism : Bitter and Twisted in the 21st Century which were ahead of their time. The dehumanization that characterizes modern living was felt by us earlier than most. What did we have a beef with? Everything. Thanks to the power of music, I found my way back to the light.
Fantasy Love re-issued Oscar Weathers wonderful We're Running out of Time just before the years, end. It's a warm twelve that is relentlessly groovy. Athens of the North rivalled it by skittlin' 3 want-list gems in one go. Unfortunately, the pressing on Al Charles Outstanding is poor. Fortunately, I have no such beef with Sonia's Easier to Love and Jean & Trevor's Back together Again. Absolute bombs.
2019 saw the big-hitters Lexx and Psychemagik deliver the long-player goods. Cosmic Shift saw Lexx bring the summer to life. So much goodness but my favourites are Too Hot and Hot Weather. The latter features Harriet Brown's silky vocals. Gorgeous. Also check out Apiento's Down that Road to hear that voice radiating warmth into the cold winter nights. Was surprised to learn from Paul Hillery that Psychemagik's Valley of Paradise was an organically derived piece of studio orchestration and not an edit. Played as a whole, I Feel how this Night should Sound is truly epic. La Paix Est Une Fleur absolutely soars and I begin to heal. I owe these artists more than they'll ever know.
More low-key but equally praiseworthy is Steve Cobby's Sweet Jesus long player. His intimate video-clips let us peek into his musical universe, but the final result still disarmed me by being a creation of pastoral elegance. Chauffeur De Camion sets the benchmark high on side a but finally gets eclipsed on the final track Truer than Words. Hard to recognize the same man in terms of style who made the brilliant Saudade in 2014, but the quality is still identical.
I've been lucky enough to hear the 2nd Torn Sail album Leisue & Technology. Without giving away too many spoilers, only 2 tracks Sadness All Over and A Beautiful life are reminiscent of the songs contained on the majestic debut. I also hear a third is in the can. Buses spring to mind. Magic buses. A special mention needs to go to Seance Centre who not only produced 2 gems but also turned me onto my only contemporary cassette purchase and The Students. Coincidental that like Efficient Space and Be With who jointly put out reissue of the year to propel the talent that is Steve Hiett, the label intended to release Robert Oumaou's work to introduce him to a wider audience.
Sadly, both passed away before seeing the warm reception these releases both received. Compiled from 3 LP's Gwakasonné's Vwayajé is dynamite. W3 and Nirvacina are the highlights, but the whole collection is accomplished and a truly fitting tribute to Oumaou. Not to be outshone, Smokey Haangala's 76 set Unka Ma Kwacha is truly hypnotic and cements the label as serious hitters. Check out Lungowe for the full effect. As if these offerings weren't enough, they turned me onto a wonderful cassette by C R Gillespie called Tlon. Both warm and subtly atmospheric the artist sent me some lavender that also gave it healing properties. I needed healing and still do. The Students LP Students in Summer was their last gift to me and is the best indie LP I'd not heard. The quality of both the record and pressing is top-notch, but when I proudly waved it at Antoine, he couldn't hide his disdain. He may find an original or more than likely have one or two already. For us mere mortals, this is essential.
As 2020 begins, I already own an amazing Steele Bonus cassette. Ideal Mix-Tape 26 is simply great. Just check out Tapes Summer Jam on Em. Fantastic. As if that's not suggesting the year is off to a flyer Beats in Space are releasing a new Andras LP Joyful. Check out River Red for an instant moment.
I think this year will be better. A lot better.
