taylor deupree + savvas ysatis

The Sleeping Morning

Back in stock! Newbies to the 12k catalogue might not know it but Savvas Ysatis has been synonymous with the label since practically day one. An old friend of label-boss Taylor Deupree (having worked with him on various projects since the early 90s, he was part of one of the label's first releases as a member of Arc) it seems very fitting that this latest collaboration sees him return again to the fold. The friendship is actually one of the most important aspects of 'The Sleeping Morning', which sounds like a relaxed meeting between two people who just know each other's music, who know how to write together and who actually have fun doing it. When the liner notes give thanks to good food and Grappa, it's fairly obvious what kind of music to expect, but with Deupree on board you would imagine a heavy dose of expressionistic minimal electronics looming large over proceedings. Surprisingly, though, Ysatis brings much to the table with his guitar playing, vocals and a variety of other instruments giving a rare organic edge to the compositions, finding Deupree taking something of a new direction in the process. Sure there's still that unavoidable sense of perfection in the electronic treatments but there's pop music lurking in there, real, intimate pop music - just check the record's final track 'The Youthful Sea'; - a pop song in the vein of Tarwater or Lali Puna, subtle electronics and echoed vocals, or the Sigur Ros-coloured wideness of 'Listen to the Morning Sleeping'. Unexpected then but this move is successful from the first breath to the last click, sort of carrying on from the acoustic pop experimentations we heard on Deupree's collaboration with Japanese band Eisi 'Every Still Day'. It is the subtlety which is the key to the record's success, and although we see both artists embracing far more open sounds, the restraint gives 'The Sleeping Morning' just as much haunting minimal resonance as any of Deupree's more academic material and emerges with a soul that will surprise and endear followers of his illustrious career to date. "The Sleeping Morning" makes for a captivating listen, highlighting not only a clear development and a sense of depth from these two artists, but also a meeting of disparate ideas that has translated perfectly into a short selection of intimate off-key songs to make your heart melt. Quite a triumph for 12k - manufactured in a limited pressing housed in specially modified packaging. *22 minutes long* Highly Recommended.