The Kramford Look
Album: Bip Bip Bip
Label: Wonderfulsound
Tracks: 8
Website: http://www.wonderfulsound.com

As with the Anglo-French duo's previous release, the woefully inaccurately titled 1970 elpee, The Kramford Look again fill their eyes with wonderful visions and impossible colours before turning to their instruments. This rhythmically titled 10" mini album - one segued piece of music per side, movements rather than tracks - serves to soundtrack an imaginary movie of the mind, or maybe an all-too real dream the morning after the night that never was.

It's like recording through the looking glass, slightly twisted and thoroughly adventurous as sounds slot in and out of the foreground and neatly drilled musical motifs pull focus on lush background soundscapes. This is as much sound design as soundtrack, a classically infused attempt to coerce 1970s library music out of the closet and into the spotlight.

There's Charles Stepney-esque psychedelic soul, Roy Budd meets Serge Gainsbourg noodles, a modal Monk-ish swing and enough special awareness to suggest some kind of sonic ESP at work. Far too knowing to be truly naïve and yet there is a sweetness at work here that sugars the hipster's pill and nags at the memory long after listening.

The Kramford Look will never be all the rage, but that's the point.

Nick Churchill
www.thegranvillechambers.co.uk