Rise

Format

• ---

  XLT86912"  £10.00

Label

XL

Everything is Recorded

Close But Not Quite

Everything Is Recorded is the new collaborative artist project from record producer and XL Recordings head Richard Russell. With Russell at the helm, his west London studio ‘The Copper House’ has become a creative second home for a revolving cast of vocalists and musicians who pass through to write, record and share ideas, mixing traditional recording sessions with extended, uninhibited live jams. Close But Not Quite EP is Everything Is Recorded’s debut recorded statement and is a captivating snapshot of the kind of collaboration and experimentation that has taken place at The Copper House. Across five tracks, the EP is a soundsystem influenced mix of brand new talent and established names, featuring an eclectic host of artists including Sampha, Giggs, Obongjayar, Tic, Warren Ellis, Infinite, Mela Murder, Green Gartside and Baluji Shrivastav. EP opener Close But Not Quite marries Sampha and Curtis Mayfield, the former’s distinctive vocal wrapped around a sample of Mayfield’s 1970 The Makings Of You. Early This Morning links Peckham and Harlem, with Giggs delivering trademark hard bars over a recontextualisation of Gil Scott-Heron’s 2010 Me and the Devil (also produced by Russell). Washed Up On The Shore introduces Nigerian-born, UK-based newcomer Obongjayar alongside drones from the legendary Nick Cave collaborator Warren Ellis, while D’elusion invites Staten Island to west London with Infinite and Mela Murder on lead and Scritti Politti’s Green Gartside on backing vocals. All – including EP - closing instrumental The Rhythm Of Life And Death – are brought together under Russell’s inclusive, idiosyncratic production vision. Close But Not Quite is the first of several Everything Is Recorded releases planned for this year.