Dean Roberts "Not Fire"

 

Dean Roberts is an enigmatic figure in the world of improvised/experimental music. He is probably best known for Autistic Daughters.

After over 12 years since his last lp with Daughters came out he is coming back with his solo album released by Erstwhile.

A six panel digipack with photography by Erin Lang and design by Yuko Zama presents songs that lack triviality of singer/songwriter indie pop - they transform seemingly simplistic tracks into the chamber of secrets that opens a Pandora box of different nuances. 

His primarily instruments - guitar and piano are followed by percussion, lap-steel and bass. The team that he has been working with or has been helped by is immense. A clear tone of guitar is often interrupted by minimalistic passages of colourful nostalgia and reflective tones. 

A very radical in its subtle poetry album of magic and wonder that is helped by gentle vocal of Dean himself as well as Emanuele Porcinai, Jenny Lange , Sandra Selig. An excellent alternative to sickly sweet pop tunes with a grit and character of solid songwriting. 

Dean Roberts - Not Fire (ErstPop 003)

Dean M Roberts - Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Percussion, Lap-steel

The Black Moths

Emanuele Porcinai - Feedback Guitars, Backing Vocals

Chris Abrahams - Harpsichord

Jenny Lange - Piano, Backing Vocals

Leighton Craig - Reeds

Sandra Selig - Vocals and Effects

Valerio Tricoli - Organ

Lucky Paul Taylor - Drums

Andrea Belfi - Drums

Additional:

Erin Lang - Bass, Vocals

Boris Hauf - Piano

Andi Stecher - Percussion/Drums

Ekkehard Ehlers - Advisor

Tim Barnes - Advisor

recorded and produced by Dean Roberts, Emanuele Porcinai and Giuseppe Ielasi

recorded at The Pines Studio, Berlin, 2019, except 5 and 6 recorded at White Winged Moth, Aotearoa, New Zealand, 2014.

mixed/mastered by Giuseppe Ielasi at Senufo, Milan, December 2019-January 2020.

photography - Erin Lang

design - Yuko Zama

executive producer - Jon Abbey

He nui te mihi me te mihi - much gratitude and thanks to Bic Runga and to Chris Eckman and Carla Carla Torgerson

Much gratitude to David Bryant for studio and instruments and Julia Reidy and Heike Marie Rädeker for guitar support

bandcamp link