Multi instrumentalist Ben Reed reworks 13 pop/TV/movie song covers in a charming collaboration with his daughter Miranda.
Collaborating for the first time, Ben and Miranda Reed have deftly re-arranged a collection of songs which are dearest to them. Their choices range from obscure 70s Japanese pop to old children's TV themes and films - songs from from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Wind In The Willows and HR Pufnstuf, as well as others by Emitt Rhodes, Paul McCartney, Badfinger, Brotherhood of Man and The Wurzels. The result is a beautifully crafted and uplifting collection - unashamedly nostalgic, affectionate, fun, innocent, and tinged with melancholy in places.
The moods, arrangements and transparent production of the album are very much consistent with Ben's previous releases and influences. Ben & Miranda take turns with lead vocals, occasionally duet, and play most of the instruments too.
The first/lead single from ‘Loft’ is the song ‘If I Could’ - out on Dec 1st, and originally sung by Jack Wild in the movie Pufnstuf (1970). The full album is released digitally on Dec 15th.
Ben Reed is a multi instrumentalist whose playing credits include bass duties on Frank Ocean’s albums Endless and Blond as well as work with David Byrne, Peter Gabriel, Sampha, Mustafa, Frank Dukes, FKA Twigs, Nilufer Yanya, Hayden Thorpe, Orlando Weeks, and many others.
He has previously released three full length albums; 'Tall Story', a collection of jazz(y) compositions written during his music degree, 'Who Dreams of Hyssop', which is comprised of Ben's experiments with longer forms and structures in a more progressive idiom, and 'Station Masters' - his first non-instrumental album which came out through Gare du Nord in 2016 and marked a transitional period towards more conventional songwriting.
‘Loft’ was recorded in tandem with Ben's soon to be released next solo album, 'Bandaged’, due in 2023.
Miranda Reed also works as a freelance graphic designer and artist - her illustrations have been published in several books including One Track Minds - Kristian Brodie’s acclaimed book on music that can change your life.
credits
from Loft,
track released December 1, 2022
Written by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox
MR: vocals, Hohner Pianet, RMI Electrapiano
BR: vocals, drums, Gibson EB3 bass, Shergold Masquerader 12 string, EKO Ranger acoustic guitar, Korg Monopoly, percussion
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