So a show of two halves this week with a largely folk based, Americana selection for a change followed by an unrepentant electronic finale. Saying that though Atom and his atmospheric bleepy soundtrack to his own 2011 photo exhibition opened proceedings before Gareth Dickson and a tune from his personal soundtrack to some South American adventures caused by affairs of the heart sent the show into more ethereal territory. Melodic beats made in Poland from Astroboter then sustained the show’s warm glow before Gillian Welch provided some lovely southern fried Americana which strangely seemed like the most natural progression to the sublime sounds of French based Malian songstress Fatounata Diawara.
Now J Mascis has been on a musical journey, no two ways, and amazingly his solo album Several Shades Of Why has seen this hardcore icon mellow, perhaps not unusually for a grey haired, almost 50 year old, to great effect. Jonathon Wilson then provided some great stoned country rock from his album Gentle Spirit which is currently on repeat at Audio Texture HQ. Quantic is back with a new album with his old spa Alice Russell and all we can say is it’s a classy affair partly due to the continued use of The Combo Barabaro, his crack team of Colombian musos, Alice’s real deal soul vocals and some wonderful arrangements – we’ll be hitting you with more tracks soon.
So then the electronic fun and games began with a track from the new, all played live, Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble’s album before Old Apparatus combined with some Shangaan Electro to great modern Afro dub effect. Barker then provided some pleasant, quirky, melodic electronica before Synkro marked the return of the R&S sub label, Apollo in fine style. Lando Kale then kept his great run of form with some brand new classic house vibes soon to released on the stylistically ducking and diving Hotflush label. Untold then ended the show with some mind melting future bassline action for Hemlock, nasty boy.
Tracklist:
Atom – Drei Schneewalzer-Teil I (Raster Noton promo)
Gareth Dickson – Noon (12K)
Astroboter – Averroes Dream (Switchstance promo)
Gillian Welch – Scarlet Town (Acony)
Fatoumata Diawara – Sonkolon (World Circuit)
J Mascis – Can I (Sub Pop)
Jonathan Wilson – The Way I Fell (Bella Union)
Quantic & Alice Russell with The Combo Barbaro – Similau (Tru-Thoughts promo)
The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble – Teufelsleiter (K7 promo)
Old Apparatus – Old Apparatus meets Shangaan Electro (Honest Jons)
Barker – I Feel (Leisure System promo)
Synkro – Why Don’t You (Apollo promo)
Lando Kal – Rhythm Sektion (Hot Flush promo)
Untold – Motion The Dance (Hemlock promo)
