The Leaf Label - C/D, S/D

The webshop is http://www.posteverything.com/ yes? and it is indeed great. A model example of, in fact. Very reasonably priced, expansive (I think Leaf set it up, but carry a load of other labels too now), quick delivery & throw in nice freebies (stickers & other gubbins) too.

VARIOUS / LEAF - Check The Water
Leaf
2CD // £ 5.99

Cheap as chips massive 2CD Leaf retrospective featuring tracks from Caribou, Sutekh, Hanne Hukkelberg, Barbara Morgenstern, Boom Bip, Murcof, Four Tet, Psapp, Susumu Yokota and a happy-slappy cast of thousands (well 34 at least...). Having been in the fray for a full decade now, Leaf have sometimes been accused of essentially peddling a form of electronic porridge; comforting certainly, but somewhat lacking in innovation or bite. What a load of bollocks. Starting out with pathos drenched electronica from Boymerang on 'The Don' and finishing over two hours later with the herky-jerky rock splutter of Volcano!, Leaf more than prove their credentials. Far more generous than something this cheap should ever be, other highlights include the infuriatingly catchy 'A Grain of Sand' from The Sons of Silence, the classic thrum of Murcof's 'MIR' and the brooding jazz crackle of Triosk. How could you refuse?

http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=19463

Weird. Surprised I haven't contributed to this thread already.

Weirder. I've ended up playing two "new" (to me) artists on Youtube this year and both have been on the Leaf label.

I haven't even thought about Leaf for half a decade.

Yeah, I kinda lost them as well. But Leaf is releasing Keeley Forsyth's Debris this week, which I'm really looking forward to hearing. Very high praise recently from the Guardian.

Yeah, she was one of them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B4-I03LTcs

Craven Faults being the other?

Yup.

Both seem really good - are they being discussed on other threads?

Nope, haven't come across any discussion of either album elsewhere on this board. The Keeley Forsyth record is terrific and holds up against the almost overpoweringly strong critical response. I swear the Scott Walker comparisons are coming from those who didn't listen beyond the first couple of tracks. Anyway, she's opening for Ben Watt on his upcoming tour, which surprised me at first but made more sense with further listens.

I haven't spent the same amount of time with the Craven Faults album. It worked well enough for home listening but was maybe a bit too mesmerizing for driving.

Started listening to that Keeley Forsyth record this morning - sounded fantastic and I'm looking forward to spending more time with it. Was hearing a bit of Josephine Foster in there and amybe Kath Bloom too?

She was really great at the Union Chapel before Xmas (with Matthew Bourne). Here's a pic.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49174741638_354f9b5bca_b.jpg

Having one of those evenings when the Craven Faults album sounds almost perfect.

Must be a sign of spring!

Ha! Maybe?

Sometimes they're my (kind of) imagined idea of perfect. The artwork etc suits but there's also something about their European-ness and (conversely?) their Northerness (in a UK understanding of that).

I just prefer to listen to electronic music (esp the Berlin-school sequencer stuff) in the warmer weather. Seems a perfect fit for the Canadian heatwaves, and less so for our oppressively deep cold winters.

I'd have thought Keeley Forsyth would be considered more "ilxor-y".

(Playing the new album for the first time).

Obviously, didn't want to mention it until I'd ordered the version I wanted but:

https://cravenfaults.bandcamp.com/album/standers

Lovely live show last weekend.

Craven Faults, that is.

CF's Standers lp has been getting a lot of attention here lately. The last two tracks in particular are just gorgeous.

Are there any live reviews of the CF gig, really wanted to go, but it would have been a trip to get there and back and family stuff is hectic with the return to school.

although I liked there was a matinee for people that had to get home before evening kicked in.

I am imagining a wall of 5U synths, one long piece that goes on for the entire gig, the hushed silence of middle aged men and lots of blinkenlights.

Leaf put out one of the most beautiful ambient tunes of the 90s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP9I0b-AaMs

x-post. Lots of middle-aged men and lots of blinking lights, yes. Unassuming. No attempts to be mysterious or anonymous (aside from a request for no photographs). Intriguing venue. Enjoyed it a lot.

Have been playing Odda Delf loads.

Yeah it's a fantastic album closer. Some beautiful modular work happening there.

Loving this - https://cravenfaults.bandcamp.com/track/may-birching-3 - to the point that it weirds me out that there were only 100 physical copies.

Though it's here, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw9-W3dYWDM

Lots of middle-aged men and lots of blinking lights, yes. Unassuming. No attempts to be mysterious or anonymous (aside from a request for no photographs). Intriguing venue. Enjoyed it a lot

also perfect review of Craven Faults London gig last night.

sound quality might have been the best I have heard in a long time.