Floating Points personal collection of global soul, ambient, jazz and folk treasures form the latest in the warmly revered Late Night Tales series.
Sam Shepherd aka Floating Points music taste is notoriously tricky to define, ranging from ethereal classical at one end to coruscating techno at the other, united only in a firm belief in the transcendental power of music to move hearts, minds and – yes – feet. Similarly, his production career has ranged from early experiments in dance music with breakout records such as the Shadows EP and collaborating with legendary Gnawa master Mahmoud Guinia to his expansive album Elaenia, which met with critical acclaim upon its release in 2015.
This Late Night Tales excursion into the depths of the evening reflects his broad tastes. The globally-travelled producer has collected untold treasures on his travels from dusty stores in Brazil to market stalls near his hometown. Theres the gorgeous Via Làctea, culled from Carlos Walkers debut album, Abu Talibs (Bobby Wright) plaintive Blood Of An American and Robert Vanderbilts gospel reworking of Manchilds Especially For You. Raw soul and feeling oozing from each songs pores.
At the other end of the music scale are the modernists, such as Québécoise Kara-Lis Coverdale who weighs in with the indelible Moments In Love, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith whose Milk is an exercise in tranquility, while Sarah Davachis meditative mix-opener offers respite from a weary world.
We have some tracks exclusive to Late Night Tales; alongside Davachis offerings there is also Toshimaru Nakamuras Nimb #59, as well as the now traditional cover version. Shepherd delved into his childhood memory for this one, a track taken from the first album his parents bought him, Kenny Wheelers Music For Large & Small Ensembles: Sam offers up his interpretation of Opening Part 1. Wheeler also contributes horns to Azimuth track The Tunnel, written and performed by Norma Winstone and John Taylor who, coincidentally, are the parents of Floating Points drummer Leo Taylor. Closing the album, Lauren Laverne reads the suitably nocturnal poem Ah! Why, Because The Dazzling Sun by Emily Brontë.
“Ive learnt about a lot of incredible music from listening to the Late Night Tales compilations over the years, so I jumped at the opportunity to compile one myself. The music is a selection of the kind of records I play to set the tone when DJing all night long.”