Top, top illustrator, and ornithologist,  Matt “A Crushing Glow” Sewell, has teamed up with Chris “The Gong” Tate for a most excellent E.P. of acoustic guitar-led instrumentals, released via Jason “Aficionado” Boardman’s Before I Die imprint. 

On the title track, Tonight We Fly, multi-instrumentalist Chris, weaves suitably sensitive piano around Matt’s gentle picking. The pair’s percussion joining in, and lending the piece a late summer evening swing. Together they paint pictures of a peaceful idyll. An idealized green and pleasant Albion. Shaping a score for the end of a perfect day, one spent with good friends, and family, in picturesque, serene surroundings. 

In contrast, Passing Oort Clouds bangs, stomps, about to an almost Glam beat. The drumming driving a mini “organic” motorik masterpiece. One that also boasts a boisterous b-line and some significant 6-string skills. Its groove seeming locked, unchanging, but totally uplifting. 

The Stars In The Sky And The Stones On The Earth is a soft focus psychedelic swirl. A beautiful beatless watercolour wash of reassuring whispers, raised from synths, organ and fragile fretwork, which spirals both backwards and forwards. A caressing coda, it has more than a touch of the Brian, Dennis Wilsons to it. The Beach Boys, American Spring, via Primal Scream and Screamadelica’s most strung-out, elegantly wasted moments. 

On Better Words distant bells toll and the guitar is glacial. A deft, but heavy, use of reverb recalling Daniel Lanois’ delicate, seminal solo debut, Arcadie. The resulting rivers of barely rippling drone, similar to his White Mustang II, or stunning cover of Amazing Grace. The sound something holy. Melody comes from a melodica (I think), and, a tune of two halves, the second goes dancing. The overall aural environment, across the 4 tracks, is akin to Virginia Astley’s ground-breaking “ambient” classic, From Gardens Where We Feel Secure… and I don’t write / say that lightly. 

Sewell & The Gong’s Tonight We Fly isn’t out until September, but you can preorder now, courtesy of Before I Die. The artwork – by Matt – it predictably brilliant, and the 12 also comes with a super nice print.