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BEATS OF LOVE

21. Gains on Gains (Shrinkwrap Dub) by Torn Sail

I'VE BEEN reading Bobby G's typically immodest but entertaining memoirs and was especially happy to re-read for the umpteenth time his anecdote about Loaded. I also concur with Weatherall that the best record he put his own name to wasn't that but the Primal's version of Dennis Wilson's Carry Me Home.

He actually gave the song more gravitas by pitching it a little slower and adding some depth with his psychotic coda that bewitches in a mournful yet meaningful way. Both Weatherall and The Primals were barely into their 30s yet still sound utterly convincing and soulful. As with other releases on NuNorthern Soul, I was awaiting my 2 track seven from Huw and BJ Smith only to discover it was a digital only second track. 

Thankfully, I bought a sampler twelve so at least have the stunning Sun When You Come on vinyl. I love the fact Huw like The Primal's hands over control of his work to surprise both himself and us. One copy of the vinyl sampler is left for sale on Bandcamp. Hurry! What I'm more interested in this week are the long anticipated Torn Sail remixes that were becoming as mythical as the B'dum B'dum... vinyl, which is also out now. Christopher Galloway delivers a yummy vinyl copy, and Shrinkwrap, a production duo permitted into Huw's thought processes, may not be prolific but are top drawer, make it absolutely essential. 

Disconnected has been on a journey with me, as I was hoping it would gain the traction needed to get to honour the Playhouse show. Sadly, it didn't, but it has evolved into a song that sprays like shards of fine cut glass, transforming itself with a fragile beauty. And that's just Huw's own reinterpretation. Like BJ, this duo understand production and compose a sunset masterpiece out of his once tight pop song.

That they turn two further Gains on Gains remixes abetted by BJ on Moog that truly maximises its wondrous musical passage that unsurprisingly sounds much more aquatic than astral, is a massive bonus. I'm more smitten with the lighter weighted dub right now, which bobs along brilliantly but all that could change as all three tracks are on rotation. Three epic, differing excursions that all explore wider-screen musical routes out of Huw's more plaintive expression. And all for the price of a dessert. 

Yes, hail the remixers, but hail the artists who permit them freedom. More. 

https://testpressing.org/review/torn-sail-disconnected-gain-on-gains-shrinkwrap-remixes 

https://soundcloud.com/soft-rocks/sss001torn-sail-gain-on-gains-shrinkwrap-dub?in=soft-rocks/sets/sun-sea-sound-001