SoundPost: Mary Hampton, Rachael Dadd, WorldService Project, 3 Boxes, Gifthorse

Welcome to another selection of video and audio snippets, all of which have passed through our celebrated mastering studio. This time we combine the worlds of Folk, Jazz and Acoustic music.

Mary Hampton – “Honey In The Rock”

This is taken from the album “Folly” which according to The Times “…is very English, very unusual and proof that if you want to make art, you just have to ignore debilitating forces and get on with it.” A fine album, both delicate and spooky at times. If there were still such things as record shops in the high street you’d find it filed under ‘Folk’ but to call it such undermines it’s eclecticism and originality. The album is out on Teaspoon Records – and “Honey In The Rock” has also been released on 7″ vinyl by Rough Trade.

mastered by Nick Watson

Rachael Dadd – Claw And Tooth

Rather more upbeat and yet no less beguiling is this track from Rachael Dadd’s new album “Bite The Mountain”, also backed up with an animation. The album and singles are out on Broken Sound and singles available in special edition packaging featuring handmade artwork by Rachael.

mastered by Tim Debney

3 Boxes – Wranglin’

Something of an acoustic guitar supergroup, 3 Boxes is a trio comprising Andy Roberts, Clive Gregson and Mark Griffiths and their début album “Strings Attached” was produced by none other than John Wood; one of those figures in the music industry whose name it seems is now always preceded by the word “legendary”, and rightly so. This instrumental album encompasses a vast range of musical styles from folk, blues and swing, to ballads and beyond. Don’t be put off by the video, in which a vast outdoor and windswept visual sits rather incongruously with this fine intimate recording…

mastered by Nick Watson

WorldService Project – “Bye Bye”

Prepare for a clashing of adjectives. WSP have been described as everything from jazz-punk to post-prog funk and are a force to be reckoned with. Imagine a four-way cage match between Frank Zappa, Weather Report, Stravinsky and Meshuggah… got it? No? Oh well – probably best you go see them live, or you could watch this – which features them in reflective mode. Taken from their album “Relentless“, which was recorded at the fantastic Cowshed Studio in North London.

mastered by Nick Watson

Gifthorse – “Light Bleeds”

Acoustic, lo-fi and lush; this is taken from the début album “Lantern”, available now. The 12 songs on the album make creative use of a variety of instruments including a string section, accordion, piano, banjo, Hawaiian guitar, trumpet, saxophone, bowed saw and a choir.

mastered by Nick Watson