tracks for horses (melo 020cd)
following the excellent 'a room for of tuneful' compilation released nearly 2 years ago, melodic have yet again stretched the boundaries of excellence. where that first compilation lead the way in the genre that had yet to be named by the style mags as folktronica. this time the label has cast its eyes and ears far and wide over all aspects of various sounds, both electronica style and so called real music have got a slice of the action.
so now, we get the old school daisy age loops the notes's 'its a good thing', along with the very different (for melodic) guitar epicness from the earlies which matches the doves melancholy and sonic twists a la mercury rev to dazzling effect. of course, we do get the regulation gorgeousness from the labels mainstay names such as gavouna, topo gigio and the rather special baikonour which opens the compilation with a full on tangerine dream style ambience. later on there is a new track from pedro, 'folded arms' (james first sounds since last years album), again meeting all my demands, and bodes well for future sounds being in my usual playlists, the track matches newfound south east asian moods and broken beats, no complaints whatsoever. then there is the toyshop tuneful innocence of psapp, and well established minotaur shock groove, proving that david still has a few sonic surprises up his new sleep deprivated sleeves.
admittedly there a couple of new comers that don't do the right thing for me, mainly the 80's fake slapp bass funk pop mood of 'no talent kid' becomes a tad annoying, and the very funny (for first few times) audiowhore track which samples roy clarks catchphrase classic sayings to an aphex twin style beats and ambience, mad stuff admittedly but repeated listening makes this not a 100% successful experiment.
but, hey it all goes to show that melodic are a label to seriously watch and listen out for.
in summary, i can't wait for more sounds from many of these names, and that is surely the whole point of a compilation like this ?
mission well and truly accomplished.