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Baker's Dozen

About The Heart: Greg Fox Of Guardian Alien's Favourite Albums
Tristan Bath , June 22nd, 2016 07:53

Before he takes part in no fewer than three performances at Roskilde festival next week, the Guardian Alien drummer, Liturgy man and prolific collaborator guides Tristan Bath through his top 13 records

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Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou ‎– Éthiopiques 21: Piano Solo
I started getting into the Éthiopiques catalogue a couple of years ago, and now I think I actually have the whole set. It's all really great, and I really love that music. It really resonates with me: the modes and the scales that are in use and the instrumentation, the way the vocals sounds. There's just a certain spirit to that body of music – everything from the really older stuff on traditional instruments, like on the The Harp Of King David – to the jazzier, funkier stuff, which I really love. I picked this record in particular though because it's just really sublime. It's this really beautiful piano record. This woman was a nun, and also an incredible pianist and composer. I don't know if you've heard it, but all you have to do is listen to it. It's that kind of thing that's just totally universal, I just totally can't imagine anybody not enjoying that music. Sometimes you hear music and you feel like you've known it forever. This was a favourite to put on when I came back from tour; it's a great record to welcome yourself home with.