Gregory Hoskins and Gary Craig
Album: The Map of Above, The Map of Below
Label: Midnight Works
Tracks: 11
Website: http://gregoryhoskins.com/

Before researching into if I would take this review on, I had never heard of Gregory Hoskins and Gary Craig. A quick listen to their Bandcamp page and clips on YouTube I was suitably impressed. They have worked together since 1996 and both are stalwarts of the Toronto music scene. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Gregory Hoskins has supported on tour amongst others The Indigo Girls, Rickie Lee Jones, The Neville Brothers, Sarah Mclachlan and Bruce Cockburn. Gary Craig is the long-time drummer for Bruce Cockburn and a legendary session player who also plays vibraphone and has played on five Gregory Hoskins recordings, this the first as a performing duo and both have co production credits for the album which was released in Canada last year.

Enough background: so what's 'The Map of Above, The Map of Below' like?

It's similar to what Daniel Lanois brings to the table and the similarities don't stop there. The album has that purposely raw uncluttered and unfinished low-fi quality to it which gives it some edginess. It's got quality craftsmanship throughout from songs covering a wide range of permeated genres to the production and the session players which include The Beggar's Virtual Choir a 30-voice Choir constructed from fans singing into their phones and uploading their files. The drumming throughout is subtle and unfussy, quietly laying the foundation of the groove but still right up in the mix: all the hallmarks of a master technician in the drumming and co-production departments. The interplay between guitar and vocals is erringly similar to Jeff Buckley and there is a definite separation of the vocals in the final mix throughout the album. The guitar playing throughout is evocative and restrained, and all three elements are stitched together by the backing which is simple but rich in tonal qualities.

"Providence Line" kicks off the album and straight away we are in Daniel Lanois territory with its laid back guitar engaging with the tones and temperament of the vocals all built upon the groove of the drums. There is a familiarity with Greg's vocals a la a smoky Paul Simon and Daniel Lanois himself. Eyes closed you could imagine that 'Come Over Me' had been lifted out of Paul Simon's Graceland sessions with its Mbaqanga inspired , jingly trebly and reverb dominated guitar line countered by the soaring melodic lead vocals. The reference with Paul Simon doesn't stop there. The lyrics throughout the album are very much observational first person and the conversations he has: take for example the 2nd verse of 'Come Over Me' - "I am crippled by doubt in this house that is not my home/ If I act, I act out of fear and fear alone/ "I've got a suggestion," my companion says/"Why, oh, why don't you try to act out of love instead… And come over here"

'There Will Be Good Days' catches the whole essence of the album in one song. At first it's an adult pop song then its turned on its head into a blues orientated groove then it's a subtle quick change again into a more blues dominated structure complete with blues harp bonded together by the different tonal qualities of Gregory Hoskins voice: all done unhurriedly in the space of just over 3 minutes. 'I Will Find A Way to Let You Down' is stripped back to just guitar, drums and vocals and has a lovely live feel to it.

Overall I like this album, it has a timeless quality about it. There is a lot of devotion, depth, passion and sincerity within. It's also one of those I won't play over and over but no doubt will use it as a reference point to dip into.

Chris Light