Talk Lesd

Achingly gorgeous and hauntingly stark, Mark Hollis' self-titled debut picks up where he left off with Talk Talk's Laughing Stock seven years earlier, re-emerging at the nexus point where jazz, ambient, and folk music collide. It's quite possibly the most quiet and intimate record ever made, each song cut to the bone for maximum emotional impact and every note carrying enormous meaning. Hollis paints his music in fine, exquisite strokes, with an uncanny mastery of atmosphere that's frequently devastating. And if anything, his singularly resonant voice has grown even more plaintive with the passage of time, which – combined with the understated artistry and minimalist beauty of tracks like "The Colour of Spring" and "Watershed" – makes Mark Hollis a truly unique and indelible listening experience. His obvious understanding of the power of silence aside, one prays he doesn't again wait for the seven-year itch to strike before returning.

Theo Travis is London based jazz, progressive and ambient saxophonist, flautist, composer, improviser and producer who has worked with Robert Fripp, David Sylvian, Gong, Bill Nelson, Harold Budd, John Foxx, The Tangent, Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree.
Featuring Theo's current band of Mike Outram (guitar), Pete Whittaker (hammond organ) and Nic France (drums) the album is a mix of jazz, prog, rock, ambient and blues. Considered by some as Theo's finest solo album, it highlights Theo's superb tenor sax and flute playing and some of his finsest compositions. Pieces also include a version of Robert Wyatt's 'Maryan', and Theo's own take on his co-written piece 'A Place in the Queue' from the album by the Tangent of the same name…