Michael Scott Dawson - The Tinnitus Chorus (We Are Busy Bodies)
"Dawson’s gentle ways and sensibility aren’t affected. On the contrary the whole LP reminds me of when I treat myself to an expensive cocktail in a refined establishment and mixology suddenly makes sense."
A Few Brief Thoughts.
Usually when I use the phrase, “dream team” in a recommendation, it refers to two, possible three of my favoured artists uniting on a project, although unfortunately it’s rare that the recordings actually deliver on their promise and inevitable hype.
On his latest album, and unfortunately out of necessity due to the hearing issues alluded to in the album’s title, Dawson has sold all his possessions and gone full on communal living, enlisting no less than ten collaborators, seven of whom have previously made appearances on the TSMM blog. If that wasn’t enough he’s released the album on We Are Busy Bodies, a label whose roster regularly appear on the blog and playlists. So imagine when I noticed this release in the pipeline! I was bouncing off the walls in excitement whilst searching for crisis helpline numbers in case there had been too many cooks in the kitchen.
Well I’m happy to report I’ve stored the telephone numbers in a safe place for future reference, have hit repeat on my music player and am currently marvelling at how head chef Dawson has marshalled his team. Not only has he maintained his delicate, ambient Americana flecked electroacoustic sensibility, he’s slipped some, albeit becalmed jazz into the mix and coaxed a couple of decidedly non ambient musicians - the sax playing Lina Langedorf and African guitarist Vumbi Dekula into exploring ambient ways, where they seem to have found a second calling.
Subtle field recordings and machine hums come and go on the light, summer morning ambient breeze, studio introspection has been seamlessly replaced by group meditation, previously unimagined instrumentation welcomed into the fold and guided to their natural homes so as to best synergise with their fellow frequencies and most importantly and remarkably of all, Dawson’s gentle ways and sensibility aren’t affected. On the contrary the whole LP reminds me of when I treat myself to an expensive cocktail in a refined establishment and mixology suddenly makes sense. That seemingly excessive list of ingredients eschewing their natural urge to dominate the beverage, encouraged by a steady hand to not just co-exist but contribute to the greater good. On that note some sage advice from a wise man in Barcelona that stuck with me: always remember that cocktails are like a woman’s breasts - one is not enough, two is perfect, three too many…
Dawson has been dropping an LP a year for five years now and if I was doing end of year lists then they’d all have been in my top tens and this latest gentle joy is no exception; it’s a start to finish then start again listening pleasure.
Complimentary Playlist Recommend
Find Michael Scott Dawson and a fine array of the music world’s more contemplative musicians and producers in the Slow Ambient Playlist. Headphones and solitary listening advisable.