The Orange Spotlight

Ernest Gonzales Lullaby (Exponential, October 21st, 2008)



"Experimenting with sound, combined with the inspiration of being a father soon, I instantly started creating an album for my unborn daughter, Sophia." - Ernest Gonzales

As a father of four a good bedtime routine is vital. We try to keep it structured with a story then teeth, and then bed. However, there are nights when they are to wound-up, running and dancing and screaming. Storytime just wasn't calming them down. That is until I received an IM from Texas producer and label head Ernest Gonzales. All he said was "Check this out..." with a link to the press page download his latest release, Lullaby. It was exactly what we exactly what we needed.



Lullaby was written back in 2004 for Ernest's unborn daughter, and has remained a personal collection until last week. I am extremely pleased he has decided to release this album whihc was completed with several remixes. Lullaby is a focused look at the honesty and intimacy that can be presented in electronic music. Mostly downtempo, the album is both interesting and musically gentle and appealing. The tones glide through with creative twists a long the way. It is a project of love and a quiet adventure.



Silke Leicher and Manuel Schreiner Bands on the Road: The Tour Sketchbook (Thames and Hudson, October 21st)

When this one arrived in my mailbox I was extremely excited because in theory it combines two of my greatest joys music and art. I say in theory because the images in the book range for incredibly interesting and complex drawings and creations to crude stick figures. The concept, however, is truly unique, what do musicians do while they are on the road? I would have guessed drugs and video games, but clearly there are a few out there that like to draw. All of the images in the collection were created specifically for this collection. In fact, the bands involved in this project were asked think about something in the past that had an important impact on them, a person or event that still resonates, and to draw it.

Featured bands include Bloc Party, The Killers, Interpol, Coldplay, Kaiser Chiefs, Belle and Sebastian, The Hives, Maroon 5, Franz Ferdinand, The Dandy Warhols, The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things, Death Cab for Cute, Babyshambles, The Raconteurs, Oasis, Maximo Park, The Shins, Muse, Snow Patrol, Keane, Howie Day, We Are Scientists, Johnny Marr and many many more. Of course they all went in different directions, from hotel rooms to basement studios to the above day at the beach from Muse. So whether it is the house of Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs) or a sail boat and story about vikings from Matt Miller (Sparta), there should be something for everyone to look at in this collection of 220 drawings.