Crikey, they’re all at it, arent they? You can keep your young folks thank you very much - these days it’s all about the oldies. There’s the magnificent return of Edwyn Collins with his ‘Losing Sleep’ set of course (ET has a lovely piece over on his Collapse Board site today) and Vic Godard and Subway Sect’s ‘We Come As Aliens’ to thrill the heart. And today sees the return of two more old souls in the shape of Jim Shepherd and Phil Wilson, formerly of Jasmine Minks and June Brides respectively. Which, of course, you knew.
Jim’s release is on his own Oatcake label and is a collaboration between Jim and Norway’s Sleepyard, the results of which are on a three track 7” single. Lead track ‘Down Tangerine Road’ is a blues-tinged downbeat soul sensation but it’s the vintage synth driven ‘Pebble Girl’ that wins my approval most this evening with its evocations of Dennis Wilson and doomed moonlit swims in the ocean. Also available via iTunes for those of you who, like me, have yet to muster the energy to replace the worn stylus on your record player. Or for whom the words 'record player' seem like a bemusing anachronism from the days of the ark. As in Noah. As is ancient history. Or mythology. Or... well, you get the idea.
Phil Wilson also has a new 7” out today. YESBOYICECREAM handle the business end in Europe whilst our transatlantic cousins have Papa Slumberland to thank for its release over in the US. A sparkling number ‘I Own It’ is too: as rousing a piece as The June Brides ever concocted, which is surely saying something. It’s a fine taster for the forthcoming album ‘God Save Jim Kennedy’ (same labels as the single, vinyl only in Europe and vinyl and CD in the US - it’ll also be available from the usual digital outlets too) which has established itself as a firm favourite around these parts in recent months. The somewhat surreal video for the single has a bunch of good looking young Swedes enthralled by the contents of a metal case, and is strangely fitting. And yet I still think I’d rather have seen some footage of Phil done up in his country gent best, out picking mushrooms on Dartmoor... Perhaps next time.
Oh, and that’s my design handiwork on the sleeves for Phil’s releases, incorporating photos of his grandfather, the Jim Kennedy of the album title. There’s a wonderfully poignant story behind the title too, but you’re just going to have to buy the record to find out what it is.
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