Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Philip Clemo: Dream Maps

5

Philip Clemo: Dream Maps

By

Sign in to view read count
Philip Clemo: Dream Maps
This is composer, multi-instrumentalist and filmmaker Philip Clemo's sixth album and the summation of nine pieces painstakingly developed over the course of three years. His music is essentially uncategorisable but, within a jazz context, could even be regarded as a new kind of third stream. Certainly there are elements within his compositions which allude to some of his influences such as the Cocteau Twins (especially Liz Fraser's sublime wordless vocals), Brian Eno, David Sylvian and undoubtedly Steve Reich.

"Liberation" opens with an eastern sounding orchestral drone shortly resolving into a rhythmic pulse and triumphal three chord vamp, which sets the tone for much of this strange and mesmerising album.

"Shadow Seas" evinces a darker mood with a subtle bass-dominated beat and barely audible assorted instrumentation but is no less hypnotic than its predecessor. "Magnetic" has a vague resonance of Miles Davis's Sketches Of Spain but with Evi Vine's ethereal voice substituting for Miles's muted trumpet. "Lark" begins almost imperceptibly but breaks into a gentle guitar and cello driven folky theme which is followed by a steady percussive beat driving to its conclusion.

A ghostly, faint single note concludes the piano dominated "The Return Of The Familiarity" which displays Reichian overtones; a string of repeated notes played against a abstract soundscape backdrop.

A steady tabla-like beat underpins "Water In The Flow," whilst ethereal voices and sustained assorted instruments overlay the piece. "Burn" has a Terry Riley feel with voice and electronics vying for pole position. The short "Awaken Now" utilises tape effects played backwards along with voices but fades out to reveal "Home" with cellos stating the theme, accompanied by jangly guitars, bass and carefully restrained drums.

If any single phrase could aptly describe this innovative collection of contemporary music then its own title would be the most apposite. It is music crying out for a film to accompany and there are even resonances of the dreamy but less known scores which Pink Floyd produced for movies such as More and Zabriskie Point. But Dream Maps certainly requires no cinematography to be fully appreciated for its irresistible and idiosyncratic charm.

Track Listing

Liberation; Shadow Seas; Magnetic; Lark; The Return Of Familiarity; Water In The Flow; Burn; Awaken Now; Home.

Personnel

Philip Clemo
guitar, electric

Philip Clemo: voice, electric & acoustic guitars; keyboards; electronics; Evi Vine: voice; Arve Henriksen: trumpet, voice; Byron Wallen, Henry Lowther: trumpet, flugelhorn; Pip Eastop: French horn; Oren Marshall: tuba; Sarah Homer: clarinet, bass clarinet; Clive Bell: flute (track 8); Kevin Pollard: piano, organ; Thomas Bloch: ondes martenot; glass harmonica; Emily Burridge, Peter Gregson: cello; B.J. Cole: pedal steel guitar; Phil Wheeler, Simon Hopkins: electric guitar; Simon Edwards: electric bass, double bass; John Edwards: double bass; Nikko Grosz: electric bass; Martin Ditcham: drums, percussion; Dirk Wachtelaer, Martin France: drums.

Album information

Title: Dream Maps | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: All Colours Arts

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.