Claremont 56 レコード& CD

Review: Although the end is now finally in sight, we are still very much spending time at home, gazing off into the distance and dreaming of better times. Enter this sumptuous soundtrack from Hillside, whose Sunday In June album on the ever classy Claremont 56 is a perfect accompaniment to you lazy afternoons. The gorgeous record is utterly doused in sun, with sparkling keys, go-slow beats and lush strings all oozing cool yet bribing with warmth. It's the sound of perfect afternoon in the garden, or on the beach, with tropical grooves and Balearic bliss flowing freely from front to back.

Review: Jean-Paul Altier's debut album as Jpye, 2021's Samba With You, was something of a slept-on gem - a joyously sunny and sonically colourful trip into Balearic pop territory that utilised the vocal and musical talents of a pool of trusted collaborators. The French producer and sometime Twonk member takes a similar approach on this follow up, with even stronger results. Laidback, summery and sunset-ready, Altier's entertaining and accessible tracks variously draw influence from jazz-funk, deep nu-disco, dub disco, downtempo and Latin soul, while also existing in their own sonic space. Highlights include the sumptuous opener 'Freedom Ain't Free', the delightfully sleazy 'Shiver' (a cover of an Italian disco obscurity), the Balearic dub shuffle of 'Tutto OK' and the yearning, emotion-packed brilliance of sunrise soundscape 'Fingers Crossed'.

Review: After years working alongside Gianluca Salvadori in Italian stoner rock/dub disco fusionists Almunia, Leo Cecanti has decided to strike out on his own. Minor Circle, his full-length debut solo set, is little less than inspired. Full of layered guitar textures (both acoustic and electric), shuffling grooves, sun-bright melodies and dreamy chords, it's a much more Balearic affair than Cecanti's joint works - albeit one that still includes plenty of nods towards psychedelic rock, chugging cosmic disco and jazz-rock. The whole thing is impeccably produced, mixed and mastered, meaning each of Cecanti's numerous musical elements (and there are many on each track) seem to leap from the speakers towards you.

Review: Last year, Claremont 56 founder Paul 'Mudd' Murphy finally got round to releasing his second solo album, In The Garden of Mindfulness - a sequel some 18 years in the making. Clearly he felt inspired by that experience, because album number three is due later this year. If this teaser 12" of alternative instrumental mixes of future album tracks is anything to go by, it promises to be another musically detailed and vividly realised release. Written and produced with regular collaborator Michele Chiavarini, both cuts are effortlessly classy. Check first A-side 'Mahalo', a gorgeous chunk of Love Unlimited Orcehstra-goes-jazz-funk brilliance rich in flanged guitars, simmering strings, spacey synths and lolloping grooves, before admiring the dub disco-goes-Balearic shuffle of 'Mata Na', where Chiavarini's brilliant musicianship comes to the fore.

Review: Downtempo maestro Mudd is back with a new album In The Garden Of Mindfulness on the faultless Claremont 56 label. Coming after years of him working with Benjamin Smith, amongst others, it's his first solo album since 2006. His magical touch has not left him here as he explores dubbed out disco, Balearic, cosmic chill out and layers of alluring instrumentation, some of which is provided by Michele Chiavarini. These are widescreen sounds to get fully immersed in as you gaze on at sun soaked jazz guitars, low-lit synths, gently cascading synths hints of psychedelia, funk and soul. Another timeless and sparkling work from the great producer.

Review: Nurtured by Mudd and owners of their own stunning live band, Paqua should really deliver more Balearic bliss than they have. As we wait tentatively for more heartfelt, organic sun-kissed soul, Claremont 56 have commissioned some incredible remixes... "Late Train" gets a full cosmic treatment from the Idjut Boys while Emperor Machine takes it down a dark alley and roughs it up with a series of analogue synth slaps. Ray Mang, meanwhile, focuses on the dreamiest aspects of "The Visitor" and rearranges and polishes them in a way that's reminiscent of a certain Andrew Ashong. Stunning.

Review: Yet another coup for Mudd's Claremont 56 imprint, Paqua first made their rocky, psychedelic Balearica known to world with the sleazy, guitar-twanging chugger "Late Train" in the summer of 2013. Following it with beautiful "Dinosaur Zappa" shortly after, the UK/US band suddenly went quiet on us, leaving us thirsty for more of their heady cosmic brew. Mercifully they've returned... And have done so with an entire album of material. Ranging from the string and strum bliss of "The Visitor" to the "Horse With No Name" style pace and folky delicacy of "We Are What We Are" via the Motown-style funk missile "Ruby Running Faker", Akaliko is stamped with indelible cosmic authority thanks to its dynamic compositions and tight instrumentation. As spellbinding as it is essential.

Review: Seven years since the last Smith & Mudd album kissed our ears... Gorthlek is a long-awaited treat that's landed (by no coincidence we suspect) right at the start of prime sandy season. Picking up where they left us (together and as part of the Bison collective), it's every bit as soul soothing, soft-focus and poised as you'd expect. It's the weight and richness that will grab most fans the hardest; amid the floral pastoral instrumentation on tracks such as "Alrick" and "Gorthlek Part 1", there's real swampy bluesy fusion such as "Mr Coats", there's fiddle-flipping cosmic folk on "Enos" and naked piano striking drama on the closure "Gorthlek Part 2". Instrumental Balearic bliss.

Review: As it approaches the end of its' first decade, Claremont 56 continues to lead the way when it comes to atmospheric, sun-kissed Balearica. This latest chunk of horizontal goodness comes courtesy of Essex-based Statues, a trio who caught label boss Paul 'Mudd' Murphy's attention after submitting a string of impressive demos. "Alaula" is a softly spun delight, with Grant Carruthers' impassioned vocals weaving themselves around alluring acoustic guitars, rich bass, twinkling Rhodes lines, and Robin Lee's immaculate cello parts. Murphy delivers the obligatory flipside remix, serving up a delay-laden dub built around intricate percussion, life-affirming pianos, and Lee's wonderful strings.

Review: Claremont 56 continue to disregard the genre boundaries - preferring instead to give good music the attention it deserves - as their latest looker of a twelve inch presents us the sounds of Torn Sail. Fronted by Smith & Mudd vocalist Huw Costin, Torn Sail go all 60s West Coast rock on us with the gloriously rich sounds of "Birds". From its acoustic beginnings the track gradually unfurls into a delightful groove embellished by soothing vocal harmonies. It's almost a thankless task enlisting anyone to try and remix what sounds like a perfect song, but Claremont 56 obviously chose right in requesting the services of Tiago. In the Portuguese producer's hands "Birds" is transformed into a heavily psychedelic freakout which gently develops into a kraut rock behemoth filled with swathes of heavy organ vibes. Containing several shifts in momentum - including a glorious half speed finish - this is a truly stunning remix which left our jaws occupying the floor!

Review: As he did to celebrate Claremont 56's fifth birthday, Paul "Mudd" Murphy has enlisted the help of the Idjut Boys to mark the passing of the label's first decade. This time round, the long-serving dub disco duo has put together a spellbinding, two-disc mix of specially commissioned material. Of course, they've gone to town, blending the label's 10th birthday tracks with oodles of dub delay, all manner of trippy effects, and a swathe of their own specially prepared dubs, DJ tools and re-edits. These intoxicating, mind altering versions are showcased in unmixed form on disc three, following two discs of horizontal Balearic bliss, slow-dance goodness and the impossible-to-pigeonhole antics of Can founder Holgar Czukay.