Initially released on Lancashire And Somerset Records in 2019, here's a super limited reissue of the vinyl in time for the bands UK tour with Enablers.
Haress consists of the core guitar duo of David Hand and Elizabeth Still, based in Bishops Castle in the Shropshire Hills.
They intertwine dark and repetitive electric guitar figures to create a hypnotic, mantra-like state, the playing working on a kind of unspoken telepathy until it’s impossible for the onlooker to work out which player is responsible for which sound amid the warm, enveloping hum of valve amps.
For their debut LP release, Haress have expanded this duo to include additional drums from David Smyth (Kling Klang, Mind Mountain), guitar and Echoplex from Chris Summerlin (Kogumaza, Grey Hairs, Hey Colossus), vocals from Thomas House (Sweet Williams, Charlottefield) and trumpet from Nathan Bell (Lungfish, Human Bell). The album was recorded with Phil Booth at JT Soar in Nottingham.
This large ensemble loses none of Haress’ intimacy and instead decorates the songs with sympathetic colour and light. The results are lovingly rendered and share a genuinely magical recording process with the listener, allowing them to experience the same moments of surprise as the band did when committing this music to tape.
The results are purposefully difficult to pigeonhole but recall Ry Cooder’s “Paris, Texas” soundtrack, latter-day Earth, Papa M or even the repetition of Sahara blues but always filtered through a warm, rural sensibility. House’s vocals are a particular revelation, his soft vowels and delivery falling somewhere between Robert Wyatt, Mark Hollis and the role of cosmic observer that Ozzy Osbourne played so well on ‘Planet Caravan’.
Put simply, this is the sound of an ensemble of close friends on top of their game, embracing accident and luck and playing with true love and joy.
credits
released September 9, 2022
Elizabeth Still – Guitar, Organ, Vocals, Percussion, Harmonium
David Hand – Guitar, Percussion, Shruti
David Smyth – Drums
Chris Summerlin – Guitar, Echoplex, Electric Piano, Percussion
Thomas House – Vocals
Nathan Bell – Trumpet on “Wind The Bobbin”
Recorded and mixed by Phil Booth at JT Soar, Nottingham.
Mastered by Peter Fletcher at Black Bay Studio, Isle Of Lewis.
Sleeve by David Hand
Nothing to say that hasn't already been said (far better) by others. This band though... A new Enablers album is always a genuinely exciting prospect, and they haven't disappointed me yet. Hugely important band. wolfgoldbong