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| CD-DETAILS FASCINATING FINGERS [LEE, SHAWN & HOPKINS, CLUTCHY] |
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They’re back! “Fascinating Fingers” is a brand new batch of collaborative tracks from the unstoppable Mr Lee and the anonymous one, known as Clutchy Hopkins. No, they’re not the same person, and no, we don’t know who he is yet!
Raiding their collective musical inspirations and instrument collections waaay deeper than on their debut, “Fascinating Fingers” brings out the best in both artists. The album boasts full string sections, madcap worldly instrumentation, a guest appearance from UK group The Superimposers, and it’s all backed by some serious Mojave marauding beats.
“It’s a natural progression from “Clutch of the Tiger”. We discussed adding strings, but otherwise it just flowed in a logically unhinged way! Perhaps a few more burritos were used in the recording of this album", explains Lee. “On the first album we swapped a lot of files over the internet which is so unpersonal .This time around we met at a couple of different studios in the Mojave Desert”, says Hopkins. “Working face-to-face we were truly able to bring together both of our sounds. We played many instruments that had their own voice but sounded good together. I think that was part of the inspiration – reaching for things we may have never played before, picking them up and just getting down.”
“Fascinating Fingers” is the name of an old organ console in one of the studios they recorded in. The only other semi-useful pieces of info we were able to extract from either party on the recording were that Hopkins gave Lee a coconut, someone called Jimmy Feathersticks dropped by with an electronic gizmo box, a lot of duct tape was put to use, and that, despite the best efforts, Lee’s hair is now longer than Hopkins’.
Upon the first listen, the fresh and free approach to these recordings is obvious. Disparate influences like Brazilian psychedelic, Bob James-era fusion and Ennio Morricone-like atmospherics blend with ease. There are more uses of vocal elements, and more uptempo jams than on “Clutch of the Tiger”. Jumping out from behind a sitar drone “Ancient Chinese Secret” never lets up, and “70 MPH Isn’t Fast Enough To Get Out Of Nebraska” begins with ominous strings before opening up into a tropicalia-fueled session that would make Arthur Verocai and Milton Nascimento proud. “Root Trees” features vocals by The Superimposers on a jam that slides downtempo midway before coming back full-force. "I was in the midst of producing the new Superimposers album and thought they would add a nice little flavor to the track – and by George they did! Don’t know what them lyrics mean though!”, says Lee. In addition super-mellow tracks like “Cross Rhodes” and “What More Can I Say” add a new more reflective side to their sound.
The cover and booklet feature exclusive new work by noted artist Jim Mahfood aka Food One – watch for accompanying t-shirts and limited edition prints. We’re honored that the LA-based illustrator/comic book artist/muralist/live art rocker is apparently CH/SL fan #1, and found time to knock out some awesome art between working on Kevin Smith’s “Clerks” comics, “Grrl Scouts” books, several “Spiderman” books for Marvel, and the murals in the Sarah Silverman show.
(Quelle: Groove Attack, 2009)
FORMAT: CD
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