Ultramarine: classic or dud?

Actually, my fave Ultramarine story involves fellow ILM denizen Nicole and I, when we were at Terrastock 2 in San Francisco. I pointed out _United Kingdoms_ to her in a used bin at Aquarius Records, and she said, "Well, maybe..." I responded, "Robert Wyatt's on two tracks." I think it was in her hands in about .01 seconds. ;-)

Classic. 'Every Man and Woman..' is perfect - a techno-rustic ramble that sounds better every time I hear it. Robin - you don't have the best tracks in my opinion.

I like 'UK' less, but still lots, and perversely I also like 'Bel- Air', although I still don't know what they're trying to do. I'm a bit of a sucker for albums that have been widely slagged off by the music press as 'Bel-Air' was as I remember. There is a little bit of a 'jazz-funk-muso' vibe to parts of it that irritate, if I'm honest.

I do not have the last album (can't remember the name) - anybody got any comments on it? The reviews implied a stripped-back approach, I think.

The last album was called A User's Guide. I've not heard it but, yes, Dr C, your "stripped-back" approach seems accurate from the reviews I've read.

A very apt description! I have been listening to it this evening -- after sundown, I admit -- but it is indeed quite spectacular, and I'm actually annoyed with myself that I haven't listened to it in a long while.

This is as good a place as any to note that Darla has rereleased Every Man in the US, while LTM has done so for the UK -- and more! There's a collection that came out last year called Companion which collects a slew of tracks from that time period -- alternates, remixes, etc. Track listing:

Full tracklist: Intro; Weird Gear (Ultramarine Remix); Lights In My Brain (Spooky Remix); Geezer (Sweet Exorcist Remix); The Downer; Panther (Coco Steel & Lovebomb Remix); Outro; My First Canoe Trip (unreleased); Early Discovery (unreleased); Saratoga (Remix); Stella Connects (12" version); Lovelife #1 (unreleased); Nova Scotia (original version); Old Geezer Dub (unreleased); Pansy (live at Glastonbury 1993).

"Saratoga" is as groovy as I remember it. Grand stuff.

Six years since anyone thought about Ultramarine??* Hard to believe Every Man and Woman... is so unappreciated.

Just found a 12" with the first four remixes listed on the Darla comp.

* five years, I guess...Ultramarine: classic or dud?

woops, i meant this: TS: Mylo, Destroy Rock'n'Roll -vs- Ultramarine, Every Man and Woman is a Star

Ultraclassic. The remix comp they put out a few years ago is great. Still havent' heard the United Kingdom album but Every Man and Woman is A Star is good enough to warrant classic status.

A track from Every Man and Woman is a Star came on my iPod randomly today, and I was stunned at how much I dug it... I hadn't listened to it in years and years, and it didn't click at the time very well for me. Back then, I was looking for things that sounded like Boards of Canada, and this didn't have the same vibe. But now, NOW... This is glorious. I've been listening to that Harald Grosskopf Synthesist reissue a lot, and this is so in that pocket in some ways. It's sunny and radiant in NYC today and everything feels full of promise, and this record just felt right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN6RvXsHc-0&feature=related

I have still never heard "Hymn", their collaboration with David McAlmont...

This is still my go-to album on blissful sunny days. Has aged incredibly well.

O HELL YES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFs0I5zMjak

I came to Every Man & Woman.. via the Companion comp:

http://www.discogs.com/Ultramarine-Companion-Every-Man-And-Woman-Is-A-Star-Versions/release/172881

....which is completely ace. Buy it's slighted my enjoyment of the original album somewhat - I guess because I heard it first. There is a cracking Spooky remix of 'Lights in my Brain' and a longer version of 'Stella'. Of its time but it's all aged incredibly well.

This one on the new Mark Barrott album has heavy Every Man and Woman is a Star vibes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cNKoi1Rlkk

New album out today!

https://soundcloud.com/real-soon/sis-audio-preview

I’ve been quite enjoying ‘Signals Into Space’, particularly as bedtime listening. It’s actually the first Ultramarine album I’ve heard despite being curious about them for years - clearly not curious enough.

I picked up the 2014 reissue of ‘Every Man and Woman is a Star’ at the weekend. Listened to it (and the 1992 Peel Session included as a 12”) this evening and thought it was really great...particularly the first four songs. Seems based on comments upthread that the other albums maybe aren’t quite so essential?

Every Man and Woman is their best by far. United Kingdoms seemed a bit of a letdown at the time, but I now listen to it far more than Every Man. The "Hymn" EP is pretty great, too. Wonderful vocal by David McAlmont. The others are all good, just not as magical.

Will keep all of that in mind!

New album is great. EMAWIAS is obviously their best but Bel Air is one of my favourites too.

Remember seeing them at Phoenix Festival back in 1995 about a month or so before it came out. We'd scored some microdots and were expecting to chill to their brand of mellow electronic/folk fusion but instead were treated to this incredible set of jazzy, breakbeat weirdness. Great day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEhwySiWL2A

That sounds most enjoyable.

I also come back to United Kingdoms most, perhaps because it was my first. Unclassifiable and some great tunes. 'Companion' also worth seeking out as mentioned above.

Found a copy of 'United Kingdoms' locally in an actual shop today and it's good, though part of me does think it sounds "of its time". 'Signals Into Space' still my favourite so far.

New EP out today of songs recorded in 2011

https://www.blackford-hill.co.uk/our-releases/ultramarine-interiors