Sock Free Hideaway

BEATS OF LOVE 

90. The Stars In The Sky And The Stones In The Earth By Sewell & The Gong

TORN BETWEEN two great purchases. 

For its sheer musicality alone, Music From Memory's mind bomb of a compilation Dream Dolphin's Gaia: Selected Ambient & Down-tempo works (1996-2003), wins hands-down, but for the overall package I'm slightly more sold on the less subtly persistent genius that is Sewell & The Gong's Tonight We Fly EP.

My missus came home with a baby pink electric guitar a few months ago. For weeks, it just sat in the corner doing nothing. Eventually, I started picking it up, softly plucking the strings, and practicing with some online tutorials until it actually sounded good. Then I turned up the amp, and the noise was truly dreadful. Fast forward to the heatwave: I finally migrated outside, ditching my socks to strum away quietly and sheepishly in the sunshine.

Bird lover, artist and compiler of the great A Crushing Glow comps Matt Sewell is a much more accomplished self-taught guitarist than me. Although he'd probably disagree. All four tracks are standalone gems that are all unique musical expressions, but today at least this takes my fancy. Multi-instrumentalist Chris Tate sprinkles a touch more magic by building the atmosphere effortlessly. Creating a summer solstice song that's both airy and weighty. I'm back in head-nod heaven. My favourite place.

I will not get started about Glastonbury other than say that when Rick Astley was taking the stage, I was thankfully oblivious. And instead opening this beautiful Test Pressing complete with screen-printed sleeve. In truth, Matt Sewell's signed illustration was the selling point. 

This is even lovelier than his lovely Gayatri Mantra sleeve.  

https://sewellandthegong.bandcamp.com/track/the-stars-in-the-sky-and-the-stones-in-the-earth