AlphaTrack: Moses (Spaceland Remix)
Artist: Elizabeth Fraser
Album: Moses EP (single) (27 Nov 09)
Tags: tribute, cocteau twins, alternative, dream pop, my gang rotw
Video: Click the pic...
YouTube, audio upload
It was going to take something special I had to tell everyone about to get me back into writing these, and this is it.
Moses is the first single from Elizabeth Fraser in a decade and wouldn't have been released at all if her close friend, Jake Drake-Brockman, hadn't tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in September.
The song was recorded some time ago with Damon Reece – Massive Attack's drummer, and her partner of more than a decade – and Jake Drake-Brockman.
Jake was keyboardist with Echo & The Bunnymen as well as with BOM and The Hook ‘Em Boys; he was also a highly respected sound engineer for the BBC.
Elizabeth Fraser and Damon Reece in a statement said that:
the passing of such a wonderful man and great friend cannot go unmarked.
A talented musician, a technical genius/blagger, a jack-of-all-trades and master of many, Jake was a vibrant reminder to us all of what it is to be alive. His lust for life, keen intellect and Dunkirk spirit were a beacon of light in a world that is rapidly fading into mediocrity and convenience. As unique and individual as the classic motorcycles he loved so much, Jake was the last of the Mohicans. The Earth is a duller planet without him.
All proceeds from the sale are going to Jake's family.
The Massive Attack influence is unmistakable in the single; trip-hop dub rhythms featuring an Eastern European accordian with archaic choral samples.
There are two remixes. The first is from Welsh producer Timothy Lewis’ Thighpaulsandra project, which expands on the ethnic aspect of the original’s accordians whilst maintaining the tempo and rhythm structure.
The second is the one I have recommended today, from ex-Alpha Andy Jenks under his spaceland guise. It begins with drama, introducing sparkling bells that lift the melancholy. Overall though, it doesn’t deviate too far from the original. Fraser is upfront and reverbed a little bit more in the mix, this time set in front of a more organic-sounding James Bond, noir backing track.
I didn't know the background when I found the track by accident in We7. At first I was confused; I thought I'd heard every track Elizabeth Fraser had ever released. Was this another one of those one-offs everyone else knows about before I do?
Listening, there are subtle signs of maturity, though not markedly so. It seems Elizabeth Fraser is one of those few lucky singers who get to keep their voice intact. The purity is evident in the middle of the Spaceland Remix, in the oohs and aahs that could have easily have been recorded decades ago.
I will try and find more festive songs that aren't obviously so over the next few weeks. Rest assured, it will be a Slade-free zone. Nothing wrong with a bit of Slade, but Christmas is for grown-ups too, not just those still at school.
Babs My Gang
Reco of the Week archives
Links:
The Guardian
Rough Trade
http://www.elizabethfraser.com/
Disclaimer: written because I wanted to.
Admin: Stats as of this week:
Last.fm listeners of this track - 317
No. of plays scrobbled in Last.fm - 765
Position in Last 7 Days: 3 / 115
Position in Last 6 Months: n / a
Video
Date Added: November 29, 2009
Views: 701, Ratings: 8, Comments: 2, Favourited: 8 times
Stats after 7 days:
Last.fm listeners of this track - 396
No. of plays scrobbled in Last.fm - 986
Position in Last 7 Days: 3 / 107
Position in Last 6 Months: n / a
Video
Views: 889, Ratings: 11, Comments: 4, Favourited: 12 times
292 Unique Visitors
337Page Views
Unique Visitors
Page Views
.
Artist: Elizabeth Fraser
Album: Moses EP (single) (27 Nov 09)
Tags: tribute, cocteau twins, alternative, dream pop, my gang rotw
Video: Click the pic...
YouTube, audio uploadIt was going to take something special I had to tell everyone about to get me back into writing these, and this is it.
Moses is the first single from Elizabeth Fraser in a decade and wouldn't have been released at all if her close friend, Jake Drake-Brockman, hadn't tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in September.The song was recorded some time ago with Damon Reece – Massive Attack's drummer, and her partner of more than a decade – and Jake Drake-Brockman.
Jake was keyboardist with Echo & The Bunnymen as well as with BOM and The Hook ‘Em Boys; he was also a highly respected sound engineer for the BBC.
Elizabeth Fraser and Damon Reece in a statement said that:
the passing of such a wonderful man and great friend cannot go unmarked.
A talented musician, a technical genius/blagger, a jack-of-all-trades and master of many, Jake was a vibrant reminder to us all of what it is to be alive. His lust for life, keen intellect and Dunkirk spirit were a beacon of light in a world that is rapidly fading into mediocrity and convenience. As unique and individual as the classic motorcycles he loved so much, Jake was the last of the Mohicans. The Earth is a duller planet without him.
All proceeds from the sale are going to Jake's family.
The Massive Attack influence is unmistakable in the single; trip-hop dub rhythms featuring an Eastern European accordian with archaic choral samples.
There are two remixes. The first is from Welsh producer Timothy Lewis’ Thighpaulsandra project, which expands on the ethnic aspect of the original’s accordians whilst maintaining the tempo and rhythm structure.
The second is the one I have recommended today, from ex-Alpha Andy Jenks under his spaceland guise. It begins with drama, introducing sparkling bells that lift the melancholy. Overall though, it doesn’t deviate too far from the original. Fraser is upfront and reverbed a little bit more in the mix, this time set in front of a more organic-sounding James Bond, noir backing track.
I didn't know the background when I found the track by accident in We7. At first I was confused; I thought I'd heard every track Elizabeth Fraser had ever released. Was this another one of those one-offs everyone else knows about before I do?
Listening, there are subtle signs of maturity, though not markedly so. It seems Elizabeth Fraser is one of those few lucky singers who get to keep their voice intact. The purity is evident in the middle of the Spaceland Remix, in the oohs and aahs that could have easily have been recorded decades ago.
I will try and find more festive songs that aren't obviously so over the next few weeks. Rest assured, it will be a Slade-free zone. Nothing wrong with a bit of Slade, but Christmas is for grown-ups too, not just those still at school.
Babs My Gang
Reco of the Week archives
Links:
The Guardian
Rough Trade
http://www.elizabethfraser.com/
Disclaimer: written because I wanted to.
Admin: Stats as of this week:
Last.fm listeners of this track - 317
No. of plays scrobbled in Last.fm - 765
Position in Last 7 Days: 3 / 115
Position in Last 6 Months: n / a
Video
Date Added: November 29, 2009
Views: 701, Ratings: 8, Comments: 2, Favourited: 8 times
Stats after 7 days:
Last.fm listeners of this track - 396
No. of plays scrobbled in Last.fm - 986
Position in Last 7 Days: 3 / 107
Position in Last 6 Months: n / a
Video
Views: 889, Ratings: 11, Comments: 4, Favourited: 12 times
292 Unique Visitors
337Page Views
.
