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This feature is mirrored brilliantly in a comparable conjunction of free and precise expression in the music – especially, I think, in Julie’s delivery, which hones in with pinpoint accuracy on individual syllables or words yet is also capable of a more extended, cool, smooth and controlled legato line. Their freewheeling-folk-prog musical expression ideally suits Keith’s poetry, which has been described as imagistic – key features of this style being the employment of free verse in conjunction with precise imagery and the patterns and rhythms of common speech. The three Army Of Briars’ musicians enjoy a special relationship with the texts to which they provide a musical response or affiliation (it’s not appropriate to use the word “accompany” in this context, IMHO). This connectedness and unity is all the more striking when you learn that the individual constituent parts were recorded separately by the musicians and then mixed remotely by Martin: a familiar and now common modus operandi of course (especially in these pandemic times), but rarely so successfully engineered that the end result, as here, deceives us into believing it’s capturing a live, interactive band performance with musicians responding to and trading off each other in real-time (as a unified ensemble playing in the same location). The product of Army Of Briars’ endeavours is a highly persuasive and uniquely tactile music that has a strong and absolute feeling of connectedness with the listener. From time to time, the foursome may bring in extra musicians as required to further augment the already selective palette with additional timbres – in this instance, grand piano, bass guitar, percussion, or a brace of string players who together may form a quartet or string orchestra. So who are the Army Of Briars? It’s a four-piece that, in broad terms, centres around the established Sheffield husband-and-wife duo Tim & Julie Cole, Sheffield-based multi-instrumentalist, electronica specialist and producer Martin Archer, and the imaginative and evocative lyrics of contemporary poet Keith Jafrate, an undeservedly obscure figure who I believe once led a succession of jazz-poetry and modern-jazz ensembles.
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It’s a masterpiece of folk magic, which mixes into its overall folky ambience intense but delicate poetry and elements of psych and prog while boldly yet naturally flecked with jazz improvisation moves. This album represents experimental/psych-folk at its best, an outstandingly original disc in sound and concept. And trust me, you’ll not be disappointed. Made From A Broken Star is one of those album titles that straightaway intrigues and, when presented in a compellingly arty, beautifully designed and executed package, it has to be regarded as a rare must-explore artefact.