2024

If 2022’s The Children Of Scorpio was the debut album that turned people onto the world of Project Gemini aka Paul Osborne, Colours & Light is the body of work that will be buried deep into their hearts. It is a majestic album, bringing together the worlds of folk rock, psych soundtracks and hazy cinematic funk.
 
A growing confidence and ease emanate from the writing and production of this sophomore LP, bolstered by the reception to his standout debut. “It’s a more layered and diverse record” Paul mentions, “with a more outward-looking, global sound, born out of the records I was listening to and the musicians I was lucky enough to collaborate with”. It feels relaxed yet self-assured, with a kaleidoscope of sounds that twist together in a mesmerising fashion.
 
The theme of the album developed naturally through the lyrics Paul began writing. A creative process both plagued and fed by insomnia, nourished by relationships, entwined in emotions, nights out, nights in and the after-effects on the human condition. Relatable themes yet seen through the prism of a soundscape that takes in many a different culture and scene. From acid folk to psych-funk, Francophile elements to Anatolian and Eastern inspirations, all interlocking and rotating as one.
 
Drawing inspiration from those he admires, Colours & Light radiates with collaborations. The title track, which tips its hat to a live 1973 TV version of Pentangle’s ‘Wedding Dress’, features the folk rock, guitar brilliance of Jack Sharp from Wolf People/Large Plants.
 
Elsewhere, two tracks are blessed by the sultry, smokey French vocals of Gloria’s Wendy Martinez, ‘Extra Nuit’ and ‘Entre chien et loup’. The former echoes Paul's love of classic French psych-pop from the late ’60s and early ’70s and artists such as Laurance Vanay, Calcium, Leonie, and Serge Gainsbourg. Martinez's sublime vocal work nestles perfectly within Paul's psych-folk-funk productions, as her Gloria partner, Alexis Morel (aka Kid Victrola) sprinkles a dose of entrancing guitar line magic on proceedings.
 
The list of collaborations extends further with Raz and Markey Funk, drummer Tony Coote and percussionist Paul Elliott all featuring. Regular collaborator and underground icon Barrie Cadogan (Little Barrie) returns along with Bert Page from The Cromagnon Band, who between them provide a hit of whacked-out, fuzzed-up country guitar and Moog madness respectively on ‘Lost In The Woods (Bacchanal)’.
 
Rounding off the record Paul’s daughter, Olivia Osborne, supplies the keyboard intro on the penultimate track ‘Twilight’. Dorian Conway from The Soundcarriers (whose bandmate Paul Isherwood returns on mixing duties) then layers echoing heavy flute parts to magically capture the psychedelic sunrise images brought to mind. 
 
Balancing light and shade on this record, there is beauty and tension all wrapped up in Paul’s vivid and visceral, storytelling gift.

Project Gemini - Colours & Light

Project Gemini

The cool Peeps

A selection of indie tunes from the first half of 2024

Playphil Indie 2024 part 1

LISTEN/BUY/STREAM: https://pamparecords.lnk.to/Ada_MoonRiderEP
Release Date: January, 28th, 2022
--------
For years we've been saying she should sing more and stop doing techno.

Anyone can do techno - but no one can do Ada's voice.

What has she been doing for the last 11 years?
Stroking basil? K Hole ? Chicken fricassee?
Slow cooking has definitely found its master in Ada.

When she reinterprets "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago, and DJ Koze brings out his inner Burt Bacharach towards the end, even such an old men band becomes bearable. The other piece is even more beautiful.

Space excursions are in fashion. This one lasts no less than 3 minutes.

With `Moon Rider´, our deceleration commissioner beams us at the speed of light to the planet of the ungrateful sweet tooth.

So beautiful, so magical!

Ada, Ada, Ada, you magnificent parallel world creature,
why do you treat us like blue-footed boobies?
Don't we deserve something so beautiful more often?
-----
Written and produced by Michaela Dippel for Pampa Records 2021. Additional vocals and instruments: DJ Koze

Ada - 25 Or 6 To 4 (PAMPA037B)

Xobeci, What Grows Here?

A Series of Small Explosions

Temple Of Dreams

Hokema (feat. Delaram Kamareh)

Coldman (feat. Nathan Daisy)

What Was I Made For? [From The Motion Picture "Barbie"]

Real Life

Rocket To Ride

The Rot

Little Dove (Interlude)

If ‘After The Dawn’ was the hors d'oeuvre to Project Gemini aka Paul Osborne’s next chapter, ‘Colours & Light’ serves up a slice of the main course. Heralding the official announcement of Paul’s sophomore album under the same name, the title track further showcases the sonic palette listeners should expect to sample across the forthcoming album.
 
Garnering a deluge of BBC 6 Music plays and a brilliant reception, ‘After The Dawn’ sparked excitement around the prospect of a new LP from Project Gemini. Breaking through the winter gloom, the second single ‘Colours & Light’ further spotlights a refinement in Paul’s sound. Talking of the origins of the track, he states that it wields a “UK folk-rock sound with a breakbeat-like rhythm section, partly inspired by a live version of Pentangle’s ‘Wedding Dress’ from a 1973 TV performance”. A psychedelic trip through time and emotion, hazy hues and wistful horizons.
 
Paul’s reverberating vocal refrains draw you in from the get-go, with the cauldron of folk-flavoured guitar, earthy bass and ethereal organs providing a ritual of resonance. Jack Sharp of Wolf People/Large Plants fame stands front and centre, leaning into that rock-tinged feeling with an expertly constructed, wah-wah fuzzed guitar solo. Creating the breakbeat foundation, Sababa 5 drummer Raz Man and percussionist Paul Elliott from Eleven 76/Call Sender work in unison to conjure up a captivating groove.
 
‘Colours & Light’ gives an alluring insight into what’s to come on this much-anticipated follow-up LP. Moving deftly between light and shade, through folk, psych and hazy funk, whilst being artfully enveloped in Paul’s signature cinematic style.

ride around

On The Road

Big Swimmer

Milk Boy (I Love You)

music and lyrics Jeanne Added 
produced, recorded and mixed by Dan Levy at the watchtower studio Madville
assisted by Warren Dongué
arranged by Dan Levy and Jeanne Added
mastered by Fab Dupont at Flux studios New York




Jeanne Added: vocals, bass, keys
Dan Levy: Keyboards, drums, programmation
Marielle Chatain: additional vocals




Project Gemini - Extra Nuit

Mr Bongo