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This split between The North Sea (the solo project of Brad Rose (The Juniper Meadows and other projects)) and Xenis Emputae Travelling Band (Phil Legard) seems to have grown out of a mutual appreciation of each other's works. Since their music goes together quite well, this album feels like a natural combination, the two halves complementing eachother perfectly.
The North Sea starts off with "Sun Dried Ashes", a short track based on acoustic guitar melodies, soft percussion and effects. This track introduces the atmosphere that dominates the album: serene moments in natural environments. Perhaps quite desolate, like the snowy rocks that adorn the cover, but with a touch of warmth as well. "Tangello" is a long organ solo, starting off slightly psychedelically, but gently settling into a calm ambient drone. "Polished Teeth" consists only of manipulated piano, bringing forth a lonely feeling, yet one of acceptance. "Three Ostrich Plumes Proper" takes things a bit more in the direction of Brad's project with Chris Skillern, The Juniper Meadows. It sounds like a live recording in an aviary, with guitar, flute and a bowed instrument. A nice pastoral track to end this part of the split.
Legard starts off with one of his rare vocal tracks, "Moly", based on a poem by Clark Ashton Smith (readable here). A short but catchy intro, played with only banjo and vocals. "Turning to Face the Western Oak" takes things into a more spacy direction with soft guitar and some high-frequency effects in the style of the first three XETB albums. "British Primitive Music" takes this material even further, developing into a brilliant mystical exercise on guitar, flute and chimes. A wonderful track and a perfect distillation of all the good sides of this project. "Chwyfleian and the Projection of John", finally, ends this split more in the general style of the album, calm and soothing, and with a eye for auditory detail.
If you are in any way interested in either of both of these projects, this split is essential. Both bands bring some of their best stuff to the board, and especially the XETB songs rank among Legard's best. Recommended to all lovers of experimental freefolk.
O.S.
The North Sea starts off with "Sun Dried Ashes", a short track based on acoustic guitar melodies, soft percussion and effects. This track introduces the atmosphere that dominates the album: serene moments in natural environments. Perhaps quite desolate, like the snowy rocks that adorn the cover, but with a touch of warmth as well. "Tangello" is a long organ solo, starting off slightly psychedelically, but gently settling into a calm ambient drone. "Polished Teeth" consists only of manipulated piano, bringing forth a lonely feeling, yet one of acceptance. "Three Ostrich Plumes Proper" takes things a bit more in the direction of Brad's project with Chris Skillern, The Juniper Meadows. It sounds like a live recording in an aviary, with guitar, flute and a bowed instrument. A nice pastoral track to end this part of the split.
Legard starts off with one of his rare vocal tracks, "Moly", based on a poem by Clark Ashton Smith (readable here). A short but catchy intro, played with only banjo and vocals. "Turning to Face the Western Oak" takes things into a more spacy direction with soft guitar and some high-frequency effects in the style of the first three XETB albums. "British Primitive Music" takes this material even further, developing into a brilliant mystical exercise on guitar, flute and chimes. A wonderful track and a perfect distillation of all the good sides of this project. "Chwyfleian and the Projection of John", finally, ends this split more in the general style of the album, calm and soothing, and with a eye for auditory detail.
If you are in any way interested in either of both of these projects, this split is essential. Both bands bring some of their best stuff to the board, and especially the XETB songs rank among Legard's best. Recommended to all lovers of experimental freefolk.
O.S.