The voice. Has any instrument been more abused, confused and misused or misrepresented? What makes a good singer? The ability “to sing” is not enough. How many club records are spoiled by people who can “sing” in a technical sense but are incapable of imparting any soul or emotion through their voices. They just want “to sing” but have nothing to sing of and nothing to sing with. Here is a singer who can do the business. Pinkie Maclure has a voice that sounds like it’s coming straight from the bottom of a large and complicated soul. Pinkie has found an ideal musical collaborator in John Wills, formerly of psychedelic rockers Loop and avant-garde indie band The Hair And Skin Trading Company, which counts as probably my favourite band name. The record uses a stripped-down approach to the music reminiscent of classic late-period Talk Talk, especially the keyboards. A wonderful array of objects are utilised for percussion and many live atmospheric sounds are mixed into the recordings. A haunting, beautiful and sensual record that was born to be played after dark with the lights off.
footnote: the collaboration of Pinkie Maclure & John Wills became known as Pumajaw and this album has been reissued digitally under the Pumajaw name