Following on from last year's Lingua Franca by Len Leise, International Feel are back with the second release in their mini-album series, this time featuring CFCF.
Real name Michael Silver, Montreal-native music producer has created a timeless slice of cool ambience in the form of album On Vacation. In it's attempts to capture places and travels the album has the whiff of a concept album.
Les Fleurs Laissés Dans Un Taxi may act in a tribute to Paris and Lighthouse On Chatham Sound depicts late afternoon by the Canadian sea, but in reality everything hear would sound at home on beaches in the Mediterranean. There is a nod to Parisian cool of Les Fleurs Laissés and Sate Padang (named after a a type of satay from Pedang) has elements of Indonesian music running through it, yet it would be as easy to enjoy On Vacation without paying attention to any of this. As a piece of left field experimental music it hangs together to create a wonderfully atmospheric experience.
This being a mini album there are just eight tracks, but each feels like a discrete experience in a broader narrative. Pleasure Centre basks in sunny 80s groove, funky guitar licks and a cool piano melody creating the feel of a gorgeous sunset at the end of a wonderful day. The aforementioned Lighthouse On Chatham Sound is full of jazzy keys and elastic bass notes, creating a constantly shifting sense of calm and relaxation.
Overall On Vacation is a short but perfectly formed trip - subtle but beautiful.
On Vacation is out on International Feel on Friday. Listen an album preview consisting of snippets below: