Pablo Color La Calle Roja

12inch Japanese style with Obi and heavy tip-on sleeve plus insert. Pablo Color`s La Calle Roja, on ISH, opens in a Cantoma-esque fashion. With acoustic six-strings, bongos, cuica, and shakers. But the sum of the LP is much more than that. Despite being centered largely on unadorned guitar, within its opening five missives it manages to pack in a variety of punches. Stylistically alluding to greats such as Japan`s DSK, Moonboot`s favourite, July Skies` Softest Kisses, Paqua`s The Visitor, Tommy Guerrero`s Loose Grooves & Bastard Blues. Parasol (2PM) sets Robin Guthrie “Shallow Bay” delay against the sampled sound of a beach. Surf, and families at play. The Spaghetti Western feel of Cavallo, of course, remembers the master, Morricone, but also nods to Neil Young`s improvised riffing for Jim Jarmusch`s Dead Man. The music of feted heroes riding out to a date with destiny.

The concluding two pieces widen the album`s scope still further. With Chee Shimizu`s remix turning the titular La Calle Roja into the next Yawn Yawn Yawn. A beautiful New Age-y float of bird song, cymbal shimmer, and drone. While Music From Memory man, and Ambient genius, Gigi Masin, collaborates on Waves. His trademark minimalism – of twilight synths- subtle, subliminal electronics – and isolated piano notes – creating a moment of hush. Under his influence, the guitar more concerned with atmospheres than Tirando techniques.

review by Robert Harris