In the midst of a global pandemic that has seen gigs, club nights and festivals cancelled, and tens of millions around the world in some kind of lockdown or quarantine, the need for musical escapism and aural daydreaming is greater than ever. It was this search for creativity and positivity that led to the recording of Sunday in June, the gorgeous and sun-kissed debut album from Hillside.

The outfit’s origins lie in the ongoing friendship and musical relationship of guitarist/bassist Alex Searle, percussionist Patrick Dawes and Claremont 56 founder Paul ‘Mudd’ Murphy, a trio who have been playing on each other’s records since the dawn of the millennium. They began jamming and creating instrumental music together for what would become the Hillside project a few years back, but the pace of production increased during the pandemic year of 2020, with multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger Michele Chiavarini (an experienced solo artist and long-term member of Dave Lee’s Sunburst Band) coming on board to help shape the sound of their eight-track debut album.

Built around warm, languid grooves, expansive musicality, simmering strings – arranged by Chiavarini and replayed live by Pete Whitfield – and seductive solos provided by a handful of guest musicians (most notably flutist Tamar Osborne and violinist Mike Piggott, who has previously worked with Ralph McTell, Pentangle and Bert Jansch), Sunday in June could be considered an imaginary soundtrack to a long, lazy drive down the U.S West Coast.

The collective’s intent is exemplified by stunning opener and title track ‘Sunday in June’, where soaring strings, eyes-closed guitar solos, expressive keys and subtle percussive touches seemingly dance atop a sun-soaked groove that sits somewhere between jazz-funk and vintage West Coast rock. It can be heard, too, on the low-down hustle of ‘Trinity Strut’ – think Steely Dan doing Blaxploitation movie funk and you’re close – and in the languid drift of ‘Aguila Negra’, with its heart-aching orchestration, jazzy guitars and sunset-ready synths.

Sunday in June has many subtle twists and turns. Check the swelling, flute-sporting, organ-rich breeze of ‘For Daniel’, a track written in tribute to an old friend of Murphy’s who passed away in 2020, and the kaleidoscopic, smile-inducing positivity of ‘1939 Grand Avenue’, whose title references the address of a favourite San Diego hang out. There’s also room for recent single ‘Walpole Days’, a gorgeous downtempo odyssey, and a new album mix of the combo’s most Steely Dan-esque cut, 2019 single ‘Hidden Port’.

Rounding things off is a rather impressive bonus cut: a previously unheard ‘Spiritual Healing Mix’ of ‘Walpole Days’ by the great Joaquin ‘Joe Claussell’. Whereas his previously released versions of the track were largely percussive and dancefloor-friendly, this interpretation takes us deep into the world of weightless new age ambient, with Hillside’s impeccable instrumentation slowly rising above immersive chords and pads.

As usual with Claremont 56, the album’s artwork is every bit as detailed and painstakingly crafted as the music, with the stunning cover illustration coming courtesy of regular label collaborator Mark Warrington. His vibrant vision is naturally a perfect fit with Hillside’s colourful and emotion-rich music.

Hillside - Sunday In June

DC Promo Tracks #949: "Seaside" by Andreas Kunzmann is part of the release "Album" on Growing Bin Records @growingbinrecords  

Buy Now: https://www.growingbinrecords.com/growing-bin-releases/gbr041/ 

More Promo Tracks: https://www.dreamchimney.com/promo

DC Promo Tracks #949: Andreas Kunzmann "Seaside"

* Mr Marvin - entity
* 40 Thieves - Crystal Mountain Thunder
* Vitor Deme - Djon maya
* Lexx - Sirocco
* The Grid/Robert Fripp - ?
* Tad Wily - After Dark dub
* Justus Khoncke - tell Me
* Kiu D - Love in (Dicky Trisco rmx)
* Dropouts - ?
* M James - Cheap thrills
* Moton - Dreeme

aired  31/7/14 on www.ibizasonica.com

PETE HERBERT - MUSIC FOR SWIMMING POOLS SHOW 115

Stórmerki

Balearic funk from an anonymous German duo. Out on @pondliferecords.

Read More & Buy: http://www.stampthewax.com/2020/01/07/premiere-steady-income-band-a-side/
Listen on Youtube: http://bit.ly/SteadyIncomeBand

Listen on YouTube

Steady Income Band - A-Side (STW Premiere)

Rotterdam based, Oja Hendryks debut EP, Practical Navigator, gets four blissful reinterpretations from Is It Balearic chiefs, Coyote, Max Essa, Palms & Charms', Barnaby Bruce, and new kid on the block, Canebrake.
Come in, the water's fine!

Release date Friday 1st May.

Practical Navigator Remixed

Oja Hendryks - Practical Navigator Remixed (Clips)

As the world and its wife tries to board the last plane out of 2020, Eclectics rolls up with a charter flight big enough to ferry all-comers to Shangri-La. The Oh! EP, from Ibiza-based Italian producer Luca Averna and legendary British veteran Chris Coco, is 35 minutes of delightful, deep-dive distraction from a world gone mad.

This isn’t simply a collection of tunes sitting cheek-by-jowl with their remixes, this is a soaring suite – a movement in five parts put together with care, confidence and consummate craft.

First up on the in-flight entertainment is “There Is No Planet B”. Despite the distress-signal sentiment of the title, it’s an audio hug of breathy synths, languorous lead lines and slow, whirling propeller percussion. A mid-paced reminder that we really are all in this together, the melodic flow coalesces midway through, giving directions to the dance.

The Veteran Delinquents (Joe’s Bakery and Passport to Paradise stalwart Craig Christon along with producer Tim Hutton) pick up the baton and increase the momentum like veteran DJs reading the room. Their remix follows on seamlessly from the original, bigging up the boogie with handclaps, piano and a beat that channels electro and new wave New York.

Next up is Jazxing (The Very Polish Cut-Outs/ Transatlantyk), who find another gear and chug straight ahead – full steam in widescreen. Increasing the bandwidth even further they throw in guitar licks and percussive punctuation, forcing the familiar melody into bold new territory.

And suddenly, there you are, in the middle of a four-to-the-floor groove for discerning dancers after a journey so smooth you couldn’t even feel the corners.

As the bass peters out, title track “Oh!” blossoms into view, building slowly, layers lapping over each other, gentle yet steady, fragile but with a firm foothold. The pace has quickened, but the pin-perfect pacing means you don’t realise until you’re halfway in and committed to the ride. Oh! indeed…

Then, the final act. Once again, Eclectics frequent flier James Bright tales the controls and banks away beautifully from the original, leading you into territory littered with broken beats, rippling synths and an afro-infused groove. This is all played out against a gentle backdrop, a watercolour wash of sound that smooths the flightpath, tempers the turbulence and joins the dots between guitar flourishes and snare snaps.   You have reached your destination. Enjoy.

SHOP

Luca Averna & Chris Coco - There is no Planet B

1939 Grand Ave (Clip)

Hidden Port (Clip)

For Daniel (Clip)

Aguila Negra (Clip)

Walpole Days (Clip)

Trinity Strut (Clip)

Sunday In June (clip)

Artist:		MCLD
Title:		Love FM (Original Mix & Max Essa Remix)
Cat #:		JJ043

Release date: 5th March 2021

MCLD, aka Tokyo based DJ, André Mcleod, has been responsible for all sorts of mayhem on the decks at some of the best parties in the city for several years. Whether it’s pulling out choice steppers from his native Jamaica or dropping deep house, disco, boogie and anything in between, he’s a man in demand. When we heard this slice of premium, after-hours, sunrise house music we knew it had to be released. Max Essa is on remix duties, and as is often the case, has adjourned to the poolside bar for refreshments. 

For further information and press enquiries email contact@jansenjardin.com

Love FM

MCLD - Love FM (Clips)

Claremont 56 is an independent label  dedicated to releasing beautiful music.

Please don't message me here as I don't read them, please get in touch via the website, thanks.

1939 Grand Ave (Clip)

Claremont 56

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