There was a long time I considered Raymond Richards the ultimate secret weapon. There were sounds he could make that other people just couldn’t. Pure, whole, yet complex sounds. The pedal steel is an extremely niche instrument outside of its Country confines, but its sheer and transcendent depth has never failed to floor me. Raymond’s ear for implementing the steel into literally 'anything' has always been uncanny. After decades of being savvy to his work ethic, multi-faceted studio skills and overall sense of musical honesty, it became a priority for me to channel some of this into narratives through the ESP Institute and get his stories told. Without further recounting the history and trajectory of our musical relationship (see the press release for 2020’s critically-acclaimed album 'The Lost Art Of Wandering'), I can whole-heartedly confirm this sophomore release, 'Sand Paintings', opens an even wider door into Raymond’s visceral, contemplative world. The cast of players has elaborated to include Calexico’s John Convertino on drums and percussion, a bevy of eccentric stringed instruments and even a hint of brass to collectively stratify context for the pedal steel. Through diversifying the timbral palette, we invite an increased soundstage acuity but also reveal untapped wells of emotion for the listener, perhaps even testing cultural literacies. One foot remains in our established ambient realm, while the other steps toward grand cinematic gestures, and despite the dense, insurmountable emotion in these songs, there is a stoic singularity, like a lonesome cowboy pulling up his boot straps to endure another day. 'Badwater Basin' opens with courage, an enormous chord evoking Raymond’s image of “hard dawn”, but in navigating through the dramatic depictions of 'Monument Valley', 'Saguaro' and 'Deer On Hwy 80', we grapple with a cloaked vulnerability—weathered by the elements, beaten down and alone, yet still madly in love with the world.  —Lovefingers

[ESP081] Sand Paintings - SNIPPETS

Buy from ESP

B1 - Zion Lodge - SNIPPET

🌐 Refuge Worldwide is a radio station and community space based in Berlin-Neukölln.
➡️ More info, more music: www.refugeworldwide.com

Support us by becoming a member on Patreon for just 3€ a month: www.patreon.com/refugeworldwide

New Massage - Telephones & Raphaël Top-Secret - 04 Jun 2025

All 6 hours of Dave Harvey, Chez de Milo and Ellie Stokes b2b2b at the helm of The Love Inn as part of the Love International 10 year club tour

Love International 10 Years @ The Love Inn, Bristol

Tonic - Joe Who?
Simon Peter - Every Cloud ( Coastlines Remix) 
Max Essa - Gold Hush/Dance Indigo (part one)/Gold Rush (part two)
Quiet Village - Pillow Talk 
Ottmar Liebert - After the rain 
Snob - Message from the stars 
Linda Di Franco - Look of love
Masaaki Ohmura - A touch of temptation
The Breeze - Mischievous Whispers
Loredana Berte - Number one
The Human League  - The Sign (BBB edit)

Music For Dreams Radio Show 14.6.25

Ahead of a couple of sets at Spirit of Eden Toby has kindly made us a mix which is loosely an extension of his Dub & Bleeps Oddities series. It really shows the breadth of his musical knowledge and mining skills as after the last 2 we were thinking surely you can’t have another 2 hours of unheard gems yet he delivers here in style. There are a couple of really fun oddball covers amongst some bassy deepness and a beautiful Bill Nelson track that we didn't know, to open with.  xxx

Toby Tobias Spirit of Eden Dubs

🌐 Refuge Worldwide is a radio station and community space based in Berlin-Neukölln.
➡️ More info, more music: www.refugeworldwide.com

Help us stay on air by donating to our fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-refuge-worldwide-community-radio

Flight Mode - Alison Swing & Fantastic Man - 25 Jun 2025

Delivered with love from Nijmegen, Guus Christian floats in a selection laced with warmth and soul. Co-founder of Blauwdruk a label and club night, as well as a familiar face behind the counter at Marini Records, Guus brings a deep, informed perspective shaped by years of digging and dancefloor devotion. This hour shines a light on US sounds from the late ’70s and early ’80s with Gospel, Disco, taking centre stage infused with some Brazilian joints for good measure. Come along for the ride!

@guuschristian

LIFE CLASSICS 77 GUUS CHRISTIAN

Warm Places

Our set from last Thursday's boat party on the Adriatic at Love International festival in Tisno, Croatia. 

BILL BREWSTER, FRANK BROUGHTON & SARAHTONIN | Live at Love International Festival, July 10th, 2025

A morning mix that perks up, you don't know what you'll like until you hear it!

You Don't Know

Aye aye my sailors ! 

Let's get on board with the No Frills duo for a hour and a half of late summer jams that will sooth your late summer hangover !

@no_frills
@5918mins.

- Chop chop, skrrt skrrt -

Cruisin' with... No Frills

Welcome to the ESP Institute. Please remove your shoes at the door. Thank you.

B1 - Zion Lodge - SNIPPET

ESP Institute

Related tracks