Lol Hammond: My top ten
March 22nd, 2002 by freddie96
Lol selects his chill-out top ten
Brian Eno & David Byrne – My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (Sire)
In my view one of the most important and interesting records ever recorded. When this record arrived in 1981 most of it sounded like it had beamed in from another planet. Sampling before samplers, and the most incredible use of cut-up vocal loops. This was the first time I had heard Eastern vocals over a Western backing. When the vocal loop of a Lebanese mountain singer kicks in over a tight funk backing courtesy of the Talking Heads rhythm section the effect is both sensual and stunning.
Penguin Café Orchestra – Music From the Penguin Café Orchestra (Editions E.G. )
Another very original sounding record from a very original-sounding band. I caught them live at the Union Chapel in North London in 1994 and it was one of the most amazing concerts I’ve ever been to. Such an incredible array of live instruments… this album is both haunting and beautiful.
Harold Budd – Lovely Thunder (Editions E.G.)
My all time chill-out hero. Now 65 years of age, the man is a genius. After years of enjoying his music, I finally met the man himself when Roger Eno and I were going onstage after him at the Big Chill’s Enchanted Garden event at Larmer Tree in 1999. I introduced myself and he replied in that amazing Californian drool: ?We must get drunk and discuss life sometime.? What a moment!! This is my favourite record by him and it appeared in 1986.
K.L.F. – Chill Out (K.L.F. Communications)
When our infamous money-burners Jimmy Cauty and Bill Drummond gave us this, the first post-rave chill out album, we were in sonically chartered waters. With Elvis Presley, Acker Bilk, Fleetwood Mac, Pedal Steel Guitars and a sprinkling of gorgeous original music, the whole thing sounded strangely familiar yet new. Perhaps that was the secret. Recorded in 1990 in Jimmy’s squat at the time in Jeffries Road, Brixton, it sounds just as magical now as it did when first released and is equally as vital as the aforementioned albums.
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works (R & S)
Another very original record and still as fresh as ever. Possibly his finest production to date, the whole thing oddly beautiful yet dirty as well. There’s a punk rock and DIY ethic running through Richard’s work and I can really relate to that. When he plays live there’s loose wires and weird effects pedals all over the place – a mad scientist surrounded by his techno gadgets. Top bloke too.
Howie B – Music for Babies (Island)
A timeless classic. Very womb-like in sound as if recorded under water. Howie is one nutty talented geezer… I was lucky enough to run a weekly night in Brixton with him. His approach is very organic and his knowledge of music incredible.
Lemon Jelly – Lemon Jelly K.Y. (XL)
Chill out with a sense of humour from one of the U.K.’s best up-and-coming acts. The production is fantastic with the added spice of live instruments used cleverly. The whole package adds to the experience with excellent artwork and clever titles.
Roger Eno – Voices (Editions E.G.)
This is a gorgeous record with Roger’s beautiful piano playing pushed to the fore. Roger is such a wonderful guy – I have been lucky enough to collaborate with him on an album (‘Damage’). We toured the States together with this, doing a couple of Big Chill events too – Sadler’s Wells and the Enchanted Garden in 1999.
Brian Eno – Music for Airports (Editions E.G.)
‘Music for Airports’ was the first of four albums in the ambient series that Eno produced between 1979 and 1982. The guy has produced so much quality stuff that any one of about 10 record could have been in here! The spatial and visual qualities of his music are second to none. Again a stunning use of tape loops. Check out the gorgeous ‘2/1’ track – remembering this is a sampler-free zone.
Zero 7 – Simple Things (Ultimate Dilemma)
This brings us bang up-to-date – great music is constantly being produced. Zero 7’s first EP had the same effect on me as when I heard ‘My Life in the Bush of Ghosts’ all those years back. A stunning production and great songs too. The use of live strings is amazing and the attention to detail nothing short of incredible. These guys have one hell of a future.
Lol Hammond, May 2001
