Claremont Editions Vol 3

The set introduces us to a handful of label debutants. German collective Neumayer Station, a group who emerged from the same musical and social circle as existing Claremont 56 artists FÍ_rstattl, contribute two cuts: _„ƒUnterfÍ_hrung_„Ž, an evocative, low-slung, reverb-laden fusion of krautrock and horizontal psychedelic dream-pop featuring FÍ_rstattl_„Žs Frank Mollena and Patrick GÍ_bel, and the subtly jazz-flecked krautrock hypnotism of _„ƒCrossings_„Ž, a cut whose atmospheric intent and well-placed dub delays make it undeniably Balearic.

Speaking of Balearic, experienced musical daydreamer Mike Salta finally makes his Claremont 56 bow, joining forces‘_with regular collaborator Marty Mortale on the deliciously tactile, warming, electric piano-sporting sunset shuffle of _„ƒSeashore Redemption_„Ž. The final new addition to the C56 family is Taichi Arakawa, the DJ/producer behind Japan_„Žs CafÍ© Goofy. His track, _„ƒOcean Sunrise_„Ž, is a gorgeously dreamy and kaleidoscopic shuffle through drifting synth-sax, slow-motion beats, immersive pads and layered synthesizer melodies.

As with its predecessors, Claremont Editions Volume Three also boasts fresh, unreleased material from label stalwarts. Jpye, whose Samba With You album was one of the label_„Žs highlights of 2021, once again joins forces with regular collaborator Renato _„_ and newcomer Michael T _„_ to deliver a dose of club-ready Balearic samba smothered in glistening jazz guitar licks, lazy synth solos and languid electric piano licks (_„ƒVa LÍ_-Bas).

Ferdi Schuster, who released his sole album to date on the label back in 2019, offers up the pastoral, folksy and hand percussion-heavy brilliance of _„ƒThe Fuzz Version_„Ž, while C56_„Žs own in-house trio, Hillside (AKA Paul Murphy, Alex Searle and Patrick Dawes) deliver the utterly gorgeous and cinematic _„ƒPole Vault_„Ž _„_ a delightful hat-tip to classic library music featuring brilliant brass and string arrangements from Michele Chiavarini.

Rounding off another excellent package are two remixes from the vaults: Bosq_„Žs pitched-up, Latin-tinged Balearic jazz-funk interpretation of Hillside_„Žs deeply personal and emotive _„ƒFor Daniel_„Ž (a revision previously only available digitally) and a previously unheard revision of Paqua_„Žs _„ƒThe Visitor_„Ž from Idjut Boys_„Ž Conrad McDonnell, a long-time friend of the label. His take is predictably magical and dubbed-out to the max, with Quinn Luke_„Žs evocative vocals seemingly drifting above sparse, stripped-back beats, echoing guitars, hissing cymbals and hazy bass.

To complete the package, Claremont Editions Three features a specially commissioned cover painting from Andy Kehoe, an illustrator whose distinctively colourful, detailed and fantastical images are a perfect match for the vividly evocative music contained on the LP.‘_