BEYOND THE WIZARDS SLEEVE – THE SOFT BOUNCE – PHANTASY

It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that this is the first album from Beyond The Wizards Sleeve. The duo, Erol Alkan and Richard Norris, have been a going concern for well over a decade, making their name through distinctive and imaginative remixes, but here their album-making sensibilities are shown to still be strong. The album is a bit of concept, described as a trip – and that explains the psychedelic elements that are revealed straight away with ‘Delicious Light’ and ‘Iron Age’, which features Mystery Jets singer Blaine Harrison. ‘Diagram Girl’ is rather special, a punchy beat and spacey texture generating thoughts of M83, while Euros Childs is a good choice as vocalist for the cutting ‘Iron Age’. However ‘Creation’ is probably the pick of the lot here, boosted by winsome vocals from Hannah Peel and Jane Weaver. Peel also appears on ‘Diagram Girl’, part of the cleverly used cast that keep this album a vital listen from start to finish. Great to have a long player from these guys at last, especially when it is as versatile as this! (Ben Hogwood) 4 out of 5

4 out of 5

Reviewed by: Ben Hogwood