We spent last weekend on the western coast of northern England and the weekend just gone on the east coast, a few days in a caravan north of Hartlepool. The beach north of Hartlepool is dramatic and beautiful, a little wild and both unspoilt and post- industrial. The beach has coal mixed into the sand, the coal seam surfacing in the sea and lumps of coal and coal dust being washed up on the beach. The view above was taken on Monday evening at high tide, standing at the edge of the north sea looking out towards Europe at dusk. The one below was on Saturday morning, much bluer and brighter skies.
Two new songs for Tuesday. First is new from Andy Bell, a frequent visitor to these pages in solo form, as GLOK and as a member of Ride. He has recorded a four track with Masal, out in May, with the first track from it being available to listen to and buy now. Tidal Love Conversation In That Familiar Golden Orchard is described at Bandcamp as 'ambient, astral jazz' and that fits perfectly. Andy's wandering, cosmische guitar lines are underpinned by brushed drums, analogue synths and harp, a light, floating psychedelic exploration.
Also out last Friday is the latest from Pye Corner Audio, who has previously worked with Andy, remixing six songs from The View From Halfway Down, with Andy returning the favour by playing guitar on last year's Let's Emerge album. The new Pye Corner Audio track, Seen From Above, is at Bandcamp (a pay what you want deal) and is a return to the darker, dystopic sounds he's known for with a kick drum and hi hat adding some propulsion to the menace. Dark techno, the flipside to Andy and Masal's Tidal Love.
4 comments:
Fabulous photos SA. I lived on the coast for ten years and particularly liked to wander along the beach out of season when the weather was at its most ferocious, with the wind howling and the waves crashing in. That scenario can really put you in your place in the grand scheme of things.
The Andy Bell tune is terrific.
Looking forward to the Andy Bell track. Hartlepool beach is a beautiful place, weirdly it's nearly always deserted whenever I visit, which always seems a real shame
The Andy Bell/ Masal tune gets better with each play
Love them both. Anything with Andy Bell's and Pye Corner Audio's name attached to it is pretty much an essential purchase these days. I'd not heard of Masal before this collaboration, will investigate further. Great stuff.
Post a Comment