BooksTalking To Ants - Stephen Gill (Signed)

Those expert ears at Aficionado work their magic once again to coax two stunning sounds out of the aether and into the warmth and comfort of a 12'. Harnessing the power of the international Balearic brotherhood, 'Nado sought out these sublime frequencies from Italian sorcerers Tempelhof and transmitted them directly into our lives.

Freshly inspired from recording an album with ambient maestro Gigi Masin, the Mantuan duo deliver two pieces united in quality but diverse in mood. On the A-side, 'Piano Piano' captures that bittersweet sensation of a joy you wish would last forever but you can't stop slipping through your fingers. Rhythmic guitar, emotive piano and rising strings build into a towering sculpture of sound decorated with blossoming chimes and intricate percussion. Over the course of nine minutes Tempelhof take us on a journey through euphoria and melancholy arriving at the perfect Balearic end of nighter.

After all that exhilaration we're in need of some respite and our Italian guides duly oblige with B-side cut 'Barbados'. The intro of cadent guitar, serene synth washes and rippling hats invite you to slip your mooring and drift away to a distant land. The track swells like rising waves before crashing into a shower of rattling percussion, loon calls and echo drenched snares. Suddenly your mind floods with memories of Arthur Baker remixing New Order and the guitar and synth return in natural harmony like surf washing over the shore.