Being in isolation means I’m listening to even more music, including going into my archives to revisit cuts worth playing for you. You’ll hear a fine example at the end of this volume. This isolation thing has changed our daily habits too, like going to the gym. So I’m taking long walks, exploring the neighborhood, selecting different routes every day. But, before I set off, I offload to my iPhone a random mix of older volumes of Life Elsewhere Music. Briskly padding past sedate, silent homes where I imagine families ensconced trying to cope with this deadly plague, all the time attempting to continue some form of normalcy. See the photo above.

We begin this mix with a large tip of the hat to Nico over at Shoredive Records, his Brighton-based label. His latest stellar release is Heirloom from Forever Vessels, who are Craig Douglas & Dani Mari, also known by her moniker Primitive Heart. You’ll hear the first single, Tide. Marketplace are next with Hard 2 Love, the second single from this quartet from Hartlepool. Nathen Jenkins follows using the name Bullion, the London-based artist says, We Had A Good Time. The photo of Delv on her Bandcamp page and her cryptic message, “on letting go” suggests the title of her album, Waning, is right on target. To See (My Heart) is a perfect example of the LA-based singer’s doleful songs. Bristol, the wonderfully vibrant city in the west of England, has long been a hive of creative activity, Charlie Satchell aka, Fiend proves his worth with Glow EP. We selected the top-notch title cut. This recording is on Chord Marauders a label look out for. Special note, the sleeve is cool. Succulent is LP title from Washington DC singer-songwriter, Be Steadwell. The title cut while being explicit about oral sex, is also, thankfully honest as are all the songs from Be who says, “With roots in jazz, acapella and folk, Be calls her music queer pop. Be’s original music features earnest lyricism, and proud LGBTQ content”. What I Want, is the cut selected – and we love it! Would it be too bold to mention that some of the finest soul artists are from the UK? Soul and R & B has always been a mainstay of British performers and the talented Cleo Sol is no exception. Her latest album, Rose In The Dark is worthy of playing all the way through without stopping and then repeating, again and again. You’ll hear the title cut and you are advised to hear the rest of this masterful recording. “I’m a cancer sun pisces moon take that how u will” writes Alexa Casino. We take it to mean we are lucky to have discovered the Wellington, New Zealand talent. Erase Embrace is an example of how to make minimalism sexy and listenable. The writing credits go to Alexa Casino and brownboymagik – is he the male voice? When we first heard Fear by Jacqueline Tucci we cranked the volume way up. That instrumentation works so well – (you gotta play it loud for full effect). This is a track from the  Toronto singer’s debut EP, Jungle Sounds, due for release later this year. Next, originally released in 2010, now remixed and remastered, Honey by Open Hand. We chose the title cut. Laura Marling’s exquisite seventh album Song For Our Daughter proves why you should check the London-based singer’s catalog. Strange Girl perfectly demonstrates Laura’s talent. Limpid from Birmingham, UK is Anna Palmer who makes electronic, experimental music we like. From the EP cleverly-named EP, we selected Game Changer. It’s always a pleasure to receive a new recording from singer-songwriter Neev. The Scottish artist now based in London continues to put out excellent music, deserving of your attention. Her latest song is Black Over Grey, (please listen carefully). To round out this mix, Curtain Maker from Wild Hxmans the 2018 album by Christian Kjellvander. The Swedish artist says he embraces the foreign, the unknown and seeks out the most profound sense of humanity.

Do let us know what you think of the music we curate, write to normanb@lifeelsewhere.co

Please be safe and be well.

LEM Vol 176