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2LP
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SLM 024LP
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Simon Mills rose to musical prominence as one half of electronic duo Bent, alongside production partner Neil "Nail" Tolliday. Harmonic Jigsaws Vol. 1 is the first studio album released under his own name, having released solely as Napoleon for the best part of a decade. The album follows on from several disco-tinged EPs and a blissful remix of CamelPhat and Elderbrook's hit "Cola", one of the biggest club tracks of 2017. As a part of Bent, Mills and Nail set the electronic dance world on fire with their critically acclaimed album Programmed To Love, released in 2000. After releasing five studio albums the pair took a break to work separately. Harmonic Jigsaws Vol. 1 marks the first in a series where Simon ambitiously explores and encapsulates the more melodic, wistful, and atmospheric side of his music output, paying tribute to Bent's unmistakable sound and the more emotive quirky side of his later work as Napoleon. The title itself derives from Simon's synesthesia, a condition where one sense such as hearing is simultaneously perceived by one or more additional senses such as sight. Simon's synesthesia causes him to associate colors and shapes with musical notes, harmonies and patterns, as well as letters and words. The album features standout tracks "Springtime (Fire And Honey)" sampling vocals from legendary pop-folk vocalist Sally Oldfield, alongside "THIFOL", "Listen", and "Getaway", featuring vocalist Joel Hood, originally brought to Simon's attention after being drafted in to produce Joel's music. In Simon's words: "We got on so well together, with the love of the same eclectic music; house, disco, Balearic, strange library music oddities, 1950s doo-wop, '60s soul and various soundtracks... I loved Joe's voice and songwriting, so it was obvious that we had to collaborate." Over two years in the making, this landmark release is one of Simon's most cohesive works to date and celebrates a characteristic sound he has spent two decades developing and nurturing. Double LP comes in a gatefold sleeve; Includes download code.
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CD
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SLM 004CD
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Simon Mills compiles the third installment of the Sunset Hours series, a collection of compilation albums inspired by the breathtaking views from Marini's On 57 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The series began when Ibiza legend Jose Padilla was asked to compile a compilation after he travelled to Malaysia and played at the venue. As the highest rooftop bar in Malaysia, the venue offers outstanding views over the city from its location close to the world famous Petronas Towers. In 2015, the second volume was overseen by a partnership of Chris Coco & Afterlife. Sunset Hours Vol. 3 has been put together by Simon Mills, who is famously one half of the wonky electronic duo Bent. The album consists of 14 hand selected tracks that capture the mood and atmosphere of the Sunset over the Malaysian capital perfectly. After opening with the excellent "I Can Breathe" by Dekoi Simon treats the listener to one of his own productions, this time in his Napoleon guise, with the exclusive track "Interstellar Joyride" that helps set the mood with quirky synth runs and a warm analog bass line. There's a track from Robi Insinna's alter ego project Manhead and "Dreaming Of Love" from Chris Coco before Farbror Resonde Mac's "Tinden's Tand" gives a flavor of the Balearics islands. Swedish based HNNY is also included with the excellent "Cheer Up My Brother". Other highlights include the timeless "What About This Love (Dub Version)" from the super talented Mr Fingers aka house music legend Larry Heard, a new Simon Mills remix of Jose Padilla & Chris Zippel's "Akamundo", another exclusive track "Meeting Point", the outstanding Yam Who? remix of Julian Sanza's "Sunset" before closing with a track from Bent's Ariels (2004), "Exercise 4". Also features: Hidden Spheres, Gidge and Sei A.
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