The duo of Hampshire & Foat return with another offering and soundscape which they’ve seemed to have mastered and this time in the form of a new LP dedicated to one of our favorite genres. “Nightshade – Library Music Vol.1” is a serious collection of compositions created in the same vein as those recorded in the 60’s and 70’s yet strikingly new and exciting. The duo handles guitars, autoharp, keys, effects and the direction of a stellar band that brings sax, harmonica, flute, strings and drums to the mix which makes this a well rounded album to fit comfortably alongside your other favorites.
Side one is 5 tracks in very distinct styles, musical paintings for the big screen. The vast sound of the Japanese influenced Jasmine, The Spaghetti Western melancholy of Mariposa Lily, The call to action that is Antonio’s Theme, The Breezy Vintage sports car in the sun that Coastal Drive paints, and Lost in Nostalgia, a late night Poirotesk piece. Side two is a classic library suite, which Greg describes as a Detective’s theme with different variations on the motifs.
We never get tired of hearing these two gents work their magic and hopefully this is only the beginning of a series of releases in the genre.