Retro Synth Disco

In The Margins

Otherworld

When Paul Murphy released his critically acclaimed debut solo album, Claremont 56, in 2006, many thought it would be the first of many. In a way, it was, as in the years since he’s released a string of collaborative sets alongside Benjamin J Smith (as Smith & Mudd), and as part of underground ‘supergroups’ Paqua, Bison and Hillside. But that second solo album? Well, it just had to wait.

In early 2023, Murphy finally decided to scratch that itch, roping in some of his most trusted collaborators (keyboardist and bassist Michele Chiavarini, percussionist Patrick Dawes, guitarist Dave Noble and HF International’s Kashif included) to lay down a sumptuous set of tracks that not only showcases his now familiar (bit hard to pigeonhole) neo-Balearic sound, but also proves how much he has matured as a writer and producer since 2006.

In The Garden of Mindfulness is richly musically detailed, expertly arranged and full to bursting with fluid instrumental solos, with Murphy and his collaborators serving up tracks that brilliantly blur the boundaries between languid jazz-funk, downtempo, vintage synth-laden krautrock, dubby grooves and sun-splashed soundscapes.

It simply sparkles from the moment that opener ‘Eighty Three’ slowly rises like the morning sun, with gentle, undulating synth sounds ushering in a slow-motion jazz-funk excursion rich in twinkling electronics, spacey pads and warming bass. Recent single ‘Katanaboy’, a lusciously layered dub disco-infused dancefloor excursion in Murphy’s familiar style, raises the temperature a touch, before ‘Bonne Anse’ and the sublime ‘Unka Paw’ (whose combination of evocative fretless bass, extended electric piano solos, Clavinet licks and acoustic guitars is genuinely spellbinding) invite a combination of wavy shuffling and flat-on-the-back, eyes-closed appreciation.

And so it continues, with gorgeous title track ‘In The Garden of Mindfulness’ making way for the boogie-influenced, Japanese-British brilliance of ‘Hangsang’ (check the jaunty pianos, yearning breakdown and exotic melodies). Murphy’s long held love of warm, weighty bass, hypnotic disco grooves, colourful analogue synth sounds and jazzy guitars once again comes to the fore on ‘Afternoon Bob’ before the album reaches a fittingly triumphant conclusion with ‘Late In March’. 

A neat sonic summary of all that makes the set such a rewarding and entertaining experience, repeat listens reveals a wealth of musical details, from off-kilter triple-time drums and surprise bass guitar solos, to impeccable piano solos (provided by the immensely talented Chiavarini), fizzing jazz-funk synth doodles and stirring synth-strings. It’s a breathlessly brilliant way to end an album that was genuinely worth waiting for.

Hangsang

I gave up hope on the hope that you gave away
I got this feeling that lately I don’t belong
I overtook it, so have it and tell anyone
I gave up hope on the hope that you gave away

I got this feeling that lately I don’t belong
I overtook it, so have it and tell anyone
I gave up hope on the hope that you gave away
I got this feeling that lately I don’t belong

Changes, changes, changes

I overtook it, so hate it and tell everyone
I gave up hope on the hope that you gave away
I got this feeling that lately I don’t belong
I overtook it, so have it then take it away

Belong

falling further from something right in front of you.

So Close (Spiraling)

New track combining trance, breakbeat, and old school 90s techno vibes! ✌️

Taken from my new album Fields of Verisimilitude.

Get it here!  → https://romdiprisco.bandcamp.com/album/fields-of-verisimilitude

Fields of Verisimilitude

Consciousness Photosynthesis

SynthPrincipal - Sol's Final Gift (MEGAS REMIX)

Adaptive Cruise

Follow Afterift: https://soundcloud.com/afterift

Solum

our last disco

After a very long wait, we are thrilled to release our remix of the Supertramp classic, Take the Long way home!   For upcoming shows and all things Syrup: https://linktr.ee/lazysyruporchestra 

Artwork by facebook.com/dezinestudiovic

Thank you for all the support in 2018!    


Big love from the LSO <3

PS.  For anyone not on Spotify looking to download, send us a DM here or on Facebook and we'll provide a direct link :)

Free Download

Take the Long Way Home (Lazy Syrup Orchestra Remix)

buy/stream : https://idol.lnk.to/Eden_Remixes

Buy/stream

Automne (Remix by French 79)

Stream on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/65Lh6wMZMUCKF1B47GoDOe?si=PEU3kYnTTP6yvBrwXr5QMw

Better Days EP

Better Days

Spotify

Rmi Is All I Want

TLK's music is characterized by it's lush, bending lo-fi tape production, washed soft-synths and grooving bass/guitar work. With songwriting inspired by liminal photography and slow burn horror.

Photos by Roman Barabash

Mars bosses are rare due to the lack of air.

Otherworld

Tiny Little Knives

Related tracks