2021-12-16
Calico Guestmix 003
Paradise Is a Frequency(@paradiseisafrequency)

Calico Guestmix 003 | Paradise Is a Frequency

Artwork: ‘Coucher de soleil bronze-violet’ by Félix Vallotton, 1911.

TASCAM DR-05

A Bigger Splash Podcast May 2022

BANDCAMP - https://spacetalkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/traces-of-illusion-compiled-by-skyrager

Compiled by Skyrager // Artwork: Elvis Barlow-Smith

After a bit of down-time, Spacetalk Records returns with something special: a stunning compilation of obscurities, rare cuts and secret weapons compiled by label co-founder Danny McLewin under his Skyrager alias.

Although most widely known as one half of Psychemagik, McLewin has long been regarded as one of the UK’s most decorated crate-diggers – a DJ and record dealer recognised for his ability to unearth slept-on gems, private press obscurities and campfire-friendly curios. He’s already showcased his curatorial skills on a string of acclaimed and now sought-after comps – see Psychemagik’s Magik Cyrkles, Magik Sunrise and Magik Sunset Pt 1 & 2 – but Traces of Illusion marks the first time McLewin has put together a collection as Skyrager.
 
There’s no grand concept behind Traces of Illusion, though McLewin’s selections are universally tactile, sun-baked and effortlessly summery, evoking images of nights spent camped out in the Californian desert or beneath the vibrant canopy of an English forest at dusk. As you’d expect, there are no well-known anthems or ‘big tunes’ here, just an inspired selection of largely unknown musical nuggets oozing in quality.

There are plenty of highlights to savour amongst the 15 tracks on show, from the blue-eyed soul of Rebozhaze’s 1981 gem ‘Second Movement’ and the echo-laden Balearic boogie of Phil McDonnell’s glassy-eyed ‘America’, to the sublime brilliance of Japanese band Tao’s ‘Makin’ Love’, where sweeping violin lines and fretless bass catch the ear, and the bubbly synth sounds and shuffling drum machine grooves of Daniel Sofer’s Dewdrops’ taken from an Oberheim drum machine promotional 7”..

Everywhere you look across the compilation, you’ll find slept-on treats. There’s the seriously atmospheric, practically unknown leftfield synth-pop of YMA’s ‘Tempted’, the synth solo laden folk soul of Michael’s ‘Bluebird of Heaven’ – a cut originally written to be performed by a ‘contemporary Christian’ group in Texas, but instead released as a solo excursion – and the Terry Callier-esque brilliance of Gregory Paul’s ‘Sun’.

And so it goes on, with McLewin flitting between deep and tactile treats (the jazzy Rhodes solos, immersive chords and relaxed grooves of Teatron’s ‘Swing’), spoken word sporting acoustic Americana (Scott Fraser’s inspired 1998 cut ‘Communique’), undeniably Italo-esque (Brenda Kane’s ‘French Kissing’), sub-heavy dancehall-soul (Noel Stone’s impossible-to-find ‘Girl of My Dreams’), enveloping ambient jazz (Larry Yanez’s incredible ‘Xai Jua Jua’) and dub-flecked, synth-sporting prog rock (Bob Bath Band’s highly sought-after ‘Traces of Illusion’, after which the compilation is named). 

It all adds up to an eye-opening, head-soothing journey through the dustiest corners of McLewin’s record collection.

A1 Tao - Makin Love
A2 Larry Yañez - Xai Jua Jua
A3 Phil McDonnell - America
A4 Régis Tareau - Music Magic

B1 Reboshaze - 2nd Movement
B2 YMA - Tempted
B3 Daniel Sofer - Dewdrops
B4 Noel Stone - Dream Girl

C1 Brenda Kane - French Kissing
C2 Michael - Bluebird Of Heaven 
C3 Gregory Paul – Sun
C4 Rhythm & Bliss - Song Of Earth And Sky

D1 The Bob Bath Band - Traces of Illusion
D2 Teatron - Swing
D3 Scott Fraser - Communiqué

Traces of Illusion compiled by Skyrager

SPACETALK SHOP

Traces Of Illusion compiled by Skyrager - Promo Mix

NEW: County Sound 'Surrey & NE Hampshire' (1986) - Demo - Alfasound

Now streaming in its entirety, cult mix from 2010.

Welcome the first in a philanthropic, pedagogical series of compilations. Curated and programmed by Lovefingers, Concentration is a narrative blend of obscurities, re-edits and remixes contributed by our international family of collaborators including Abel, Alexis Le-Tan, Basso, Bumrocks, Chee Shimizu, Cos/Mes, Eddie Ruscha, Jonny Nash, Lee Douglas, Lexx, Lovefingers, Sesto Falconi, Tako and Tropical Jeremy. All proceeds from this series are donated to www.harmony-project.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to youth development through music study, practice and performance.

Concentration Vol I [ESP002]

ESP Institute presents Concentration Vol I - Mixed by Lovefingers

1. Beastie Boys -  Bobo On The Corner
2. ESG - Chistelle
3. Marvin Gaye - After The Dance
4. MMR ADM - Song 013
5. Miles Davis - Nne Part 2
6. CAN - Dead Pigeon Suite
7. Miles Davis - On The Corner
8. The Dwarfs of East Agouza - Clean Shahin
9. Byron Lee & The Dragonaires - Bridge Over Troubled Waters

www.ReverberationRadio.com
www.FreeJazzVein.com

Reverberation #284

Special guest mix on the second hour from our good friend @milloskaiser from Selvagem !

Broadcasted and recorded at Le Mellotron on June 4 th 2018 

Artwork by Amber Davenport

Bayetë - Rhythm Through The Night #010 w/ Millos Kaiser

TRACKLIST COMING @ WWW.CHANCESWITHWOLVES.COM

EPISODE #405 (NEW YORK CITY EDITION Part 2)

www.ReverberationRadio.com

1. Makers ‎– Don't Challenge Me 
2. Robert Kishore - Tropical Fantasy 
3. Sun Palace - Rude Movements 
4. Senyaka - Don't Judge Me Bad 
5. Scratch The Surface - Brighten The Night 
6. Scribble - It's Blue 
7. Yamasuki - Aieaoa 
8. Michael Franks - I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad

Reverberation #394

Tracklists available at www.CHANCESWITHWOLVES.com

Super Gold Wolf Subscription CLUB: www.patreon.com/chanceswithwolves

Reverberation #394

Calico Discos