Attempting to recreate the golden yesterdays of Jose Padilla`s White Isle sunsets with the tunes of today. 

Joe Hisaishi – Legend Of Tennyo – LAG

One of the highlights from Joe Hisaihi`s electronic anime score. To be honest, when I was writing a full review of the record, hearing references to things like Art Of Noise, John Carpenter themes, and Herbie Hancock`s Rockit, I was wondering if Joe wasn`t just having a whole load of fun with a stack of new kit.

Sth Notional – Yawn Yawn Yawn (Chee Shimizu Remix) – Archeo

While the release of the triple pack  is imminent, I`m gonna keep teasing with the remixes. This is Organic Music`s Chee Shimzu reducing Yawn Yawn Yawn to ethereal sighs, piano, and what I think is tabla.  “lub dub”-ing like the flutter of a happy heart.

Emerson Kitamura – Rock Your Baby – Em

A Japanese keyboardist who`s made tributes to Jackie Mitoo. Here sounding like Leslie Butler meets Jahtari. Casio-Tone Dancehall and Wurlitzer Ska and Rocksteady riffs. Field-recorded birdsong to illustrate that The Countryside Is Good on the A-side. This sublime successor to Yawn Yawn Yawn on the B. A chiming, minimalist, lullaby take on the George McCrae Soul classic.

Kaoru Inoue – Sunset Salute – Groovement Organic

From House / Techno veteran Inoue`s interpretation of Jon Hassell`s Fourth World Theory for the “Organic” offshoot of Portugal`s Groovement, Em Paz. An album that moves between New Age float and percussive beach / campfire gathering.

Roberto Musci & Giovanni Venosta – Old Time Religion – ReR Megacorp 

More Fourth World musical experiments, from the reissued Water Messages On Desert Sand. One of best tracks, not already collected on Music From Memory`s overview of Musci`s work, Tower Of Silence.

Kokoroko – Abusey Junction – Brownswood

My favourite cut from We Out Here. Brownswood`s snapshot of London`s current Jazz scene. The eight-piece collective creating a piece of gentle, sunset Afro. Reminding me a lot of the beautiful music collected on Strut`s Oté Maloya. Particularly the title track by Carrousel.

Goldmund – History – Western Vinyl

One of the “atmospheres” constructed electronically, largely from Keith Kenniff`s piano, on his album, Occasus. Within my record collection it`s filed next to Poppy Ackroyd, James Heather, and Johann Johannsson.

E Ruscha V – Lights Passing By & All Of A Sudden – Beats In Space

Two moments from Eddie Ruscha`s long player. Tunes I likened to the timelessness of music by Harold Budd & John Foxx, and that found on Bim Sherman`s acoustic Miracle.

Group Listening – A Little Lost – PRAH

An album of modern chamber orchestra covers. Inspired in equal measures by Virginia Astley`s From Gardens Where We Feel Secure, and Simon Jeffes` Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Where compositions by Disasterpeace, Brian Eno, Euros Child, Roedelius, Raymond Scott, and Robert Wyatt, are arranged for clarinet, marimba and piano. This reading of an Arthur Russell song, coming closet to the playfulness of PCO, with the addition of acoustic guitar strum.

Pete Brandt`s Method – What You Are – Music From Memory

Another one of the essentials on Music From Memory`s forthcoming Uneven Paths compilation.

There`s been a lot of on-line interest in this, the one single from Pete Brandt`s Method, for a while. Its inclusion alone is probably enough to sell the comp. What You Are`s been likened to the Avant-Savant of Arthur Russell. But for me, this love song, with its gentle rhumba, has more in common with the intellectual Pop of Furniture and It`s Immaterial. Led by double-bass and clarinet. Like a Pre-War ballroom Jazz spiv spoof. A bow-tied, Brylcreem-ed radio-star croon reaching for falsetto at 78rpm. Harking back to a time before video.

Jonny Nash & Lindsay Todd – Mushroom Omelette – Island Of The Gods

Or to give its full title, Mushroom Omelette (And The Now Prevailing Cosmic Anxiety). Which grants the listener some idea of the magic that was going on when Jonny and Lindsay travelled to Bali. Transforming the sounds of the Indonesian archipalego as they went. Despite the wonder / fear generated by the contemplation of the universe and, universes, this, Fauna Mapping`s closing shot, is actually pure sonic serenity.

Stubb featuring Jane Weaver – We Are Launching – Stubb

Synthesised Folk from the people at Paper. Haunting guitar line, and bewitching vocal. Singing to me of sunrise calm. A memory of lysergic love in outer / inner space. Rumour has it that this was nearly on `Nado.

 

Track-List

Joe Hisaishi – Legend Of Tennyo – LAG

Sth Notional – Yawn Yawn Yawn (Chee Shimizu Remix) – Archeo

Kokoroko – Abusey Junction – Brownswood

Roberto Musci & Giovanni Venosta – Old Time Religion – ReR Megacorp

Goldmund – History – Western Vinyl

E Ruscha V – Lights Passing By – Beats In Space

Group Listening – A Little Lost – PRAH

Kaoru Inoue – Sunset Salute – Groovement Organic

Jonny Nash & Lindsay Todd – Mushroom Omelette – Island Of The Gods

Emerson Kitamura – Rock Your Baby – Em

Stubb featuring Jane Weaver – We Are Launching – Stubb

Pete Brandt – What You Are – Music From Memory

E Ruscha V – All Of A Sudden – Beats In Space