In these days where the Internet has made the world a much
smaller place, it is often easy to fail to notice some great music right on
your doorstep. With this in mind it is worth noting the ethos, passion and
motivation behind the latest project unveiled by Hidden Trail Records The
people behind this fairly new venture have scoured their home town of Brighton
and its surrounding areas to identify and champion a number of local artists.
The result is a 13-track compilation titled HIDDEN BRIGHTON which, as the
implicit title indicates, aims to reveal to a wider audience some under the
radar acts plying their craft around the town.
The album draws on a multitude of styles encompassing
beautiful harmonies, melodic guitar pieces both acoustic and electric, tranquil
folk, distinctive vocals and raw indie. The collection is delicately presented
to seduce open minded connoisseurs and even if all 13 sounds are not to your
taste, the probability of connection with a significant number is high. With the
profits of this laudable project going to a local Sussex charity Grace Eyre
supporting greater independence for people with learning disabilities, the best
approach is to buy the package and then settle for honing in on your
preferences.
There has been a growing connection between this blog and
Brighton during 2013 including album reviews of Emily Baker and Jamie Freeman,
festival musings about Hatful of Rain and a visit to Palmfest in June. That
early summer trip took in a Self Help Group gig and the very same combo has donated an
alternate demo version of ‘Kings’ to the record. All other artists are
unsurprisingly new to me and no doubt to any other out of town listeners. Three
tracks that immediately caught the ear were ‘Arrows’ by The Raving Beauties, ‘A
Word to the Wise’ by Ellie Ford and Kokopelli’s ‘How to Be’. The former has
some cool harmonies wrapping themselves around an infectious guitar sound,
while the latter possesses a distinct aching vocal style which oozes roots
authenticity. The quiet mellow folk tones of Ellie have that soothing influence
which burrows deep into your soul and suitably curls up to implant its tranquillity.
The 5 track EP SHOW NIGHT IN is a worthy extension into the world of Ellie
Ford.
Perhaps the true legacy of this record for people outside
Brighton is take a little more interest in your own local scene as you are
likely to find some gems much nearer to home than always seeking offerings in
distant lands. In the meantime, give HIDDEN BRIGHTON a chance and as well as
backing a good cause, the revealing of an undiscovered talent which enriches
your music appreciation is more than likely to occur.
Track Listing:
Shine - Kill Moon
Sleeptalking - Hella Better Dancer
Arrows - The Raving Beauties
Thinking Above My Station - Flash Bang Band
The Cracks - The Standard Lamps
Kings (Alternate Demo) - The Self Help Group
Last Drive - The Hundredth Anniversary
Seventeen - Woodland Blue
Chalk It Up - Fiona Sally Miller
A Word To The Wise - Ellie Ford
A millioN winterS - tiNhearT
How To Be - Kokopelli
Swamp - Us Baby Bear Bones
