Somehow this unholy cross between late Can and Mike Oldfield works.
Somehow this unholy cross between late Can and Mike Oldfield works.
Citay – Little Kingdom
http://www.konkurrent.nl/ http://www.myspace.com/citay07 http://www.myspace.com/deadoceans
A fabulous compilation between Ezra Feinberg and Tim Green; be prepared for something of a shock, as it sounds nothing like Piano Magic, nor indeed Green’s Fucking Champs.
This record is avowedly pastoral in tone and laden with mid to late ‘70s rock dinosaur/folky flower children references, there’s Floyd bits floating around on Little Kingdom, a feel of Michael Karoli’s guitar runs circa 1978 and in some ways it’s all bloody reminiscent of the hippy-trippy stuff Kevin Ayers or Peter Hammill churned out.
Before you feel this ain’t a record for you, I’d suggest you listen to the title track, (in many ways the template for the LP) with its gentle arpeggios and sparkling acoustic frame. It’s truly beautiful and feel-good stuff par excellence. My favourite track on here, however, is the sublime On the Wings; a two-part piece, where a wonderful choral backdrop and surprisingly strident guitar break allows a beautiful counterpoint to the spacious acoustic patterns, allowing the song to develop with nary a flutter. Things go quiet before a fabulous reaffirmation of the basic melody. Somehow this unholy cross between late Can and Mike Oldfield works.
Highly recommended.
Words: Richard Foster