Ultramarine: classic or dud?

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