The Chill Out Tent

Some new albums, a fantastic reissue and some EPs too

Nightmares on Wax – Echo45 Soundsytem

Well, this is a mighty fine thing. Nightmares on Wax’s love letter to soundsystem culture mixes Studio One roots reggae and dub, Al Green soul, and laidback hiphop into a beautiful melange that could only have been made now. NoW have been around the acid house continuum since early singles like ‘Dextrous’ and ‘Aftermath’ tore up dancelfoors, before easing into foundational chill with the albums Smokers Delight and Carboot Soul. After just a couple of listens, it feels a bit early to say this, but this could be George Evelyn’s crowning glory.

Mos Def (OK, Yasiin Bey if you must) and Greentea Peng headline a carefully curated crew of MCs, singers and toasters. Comes as separate tracks or mixed with shout-outs from the likes of Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Goldie, Roots Manuva and more. Wicked. 

Adeline Hotel – Watch the Sunflowers

Adeline Hotel is the nom de plume of Dan Knishkowy, singer, guitarist and Ruination Record Co co-founder. Watch the Sunflowers is a gorgeous Sunday morning record, suitably autumnal right now but it would work equally well in any season (after all, it’s not really the season for sunflowers). It is probably Adeline Hotels’s most fully-realised band album with light, whispering drums, piano and pedal steel complementing Dan’s gentle vocals and guitar. The PR bumf compares it to Neil Young and Big Star but I’m hearing a quieter version of the Flaming Lips with the subtlety of prime Midlake and the gentleness of a Nick Drake. Incidentally, this album was written before the ambient americana joint venture I’ll Send You A Sign with harpist Rebecca El-Saleh (Kitba), which was released earlier this year. Both are very highly recommended.

Makaya McCraven – Off the Record

Makaya McCraven’s latest hiphopification of live jazz is awesome. It’s got a bit more muscle than the fantastic summer soundtrack vibes of last LP In These Times – possibly more groove, less songs and it’s proper far-out too. Deep, man. 

Buy it here 

Lakes & Fires – Lakes & Fires

A Khruangbin soundalike hailing the Balearic outpost Denmark. I’m not sure how anyone couldn’t at least like this record. Plenty will love it.

Virgo – Landform Code

Reissue of the month comes from the delightfully-named We Release Whatever The Fuck We Want To record label, which continues to mine the Japanese underground to stunning effect – here reaching back to 1989 to dig up an absolute beauty from Japanese electronic producer Virgo. I’m gonna leave this to the PR cos it hits the nail on the head: “Landform Code is an absolute gem of smooth, melodic Detroit techno infused with brilliant hints of acid, ambient, and IDM. It’s a dreamy, organic, and timeless record that captures the essence of late ‘90s electronic innovation with a deeply soulful touch.”

EPs of the Month

Suddi Raval – Slo Mo Acid Part 1

When The Chill Out Tent was asked to host ‘the other place’ at Sasha and Digweed’s summer rave in a grand stately home, the brief was ‘chilled but not too chilled’. Old friend Suddi Raval was asked whether he could slow down his usual banging live acid set so it would work in a tent on a sunny afternoon. The result was gloriously groovy and well received by curious punters, who wanted to hear what ’the Hardcore Uproar guy’ was doing now. So impressed was Chris that he asked him to record some of the songs for an EP on DSPPR. And lo and behold, here it is! Part 2 coming soon.

Helado Negro – The Last Sound on Earth

In a more beautiful world, Helado Negro would be as big as David Bowie. This EP occasionally brings a bit of junglism to our hero’s laidback, latino grooves. Meanwhile, we coulda done a Latin America Special Report with the likes of Silvana Estrada and Juana Molina also pricking our ears recently with new albums.