Introducing Mark Abis,
British author, composer and folk musician who has
put together a compilation of his best work since
1995. He is essentially a solemn man with a superb
voice that is not only soft and warm, but is also
particularly sensual.
The voice is usually accompanied by a lone acoustic
guitar when it is not supported by arrangements
which are either ethereal or have richer bluesy
strains.
Everything slips delicately into place as you listen.
The melodies are straightforward and refined. Dream
Come True and Steppin Out are truly likeable, and
could have been written especially for those comfortable
evenings spent around a good fire in great company.
One is reminded of the subtle minimalism of Nick
Drakes seminal and sensitive Pink Moon.
Despite this, Abis doesnt confine himself to intimate
folk and somehow manages to emerge as a true, bluesy
folk band with a sprinkle of orchestral arrangements.
The addition of backing vocals, 70s style keyboards
and bass give pronounced bluesy tones, which can
be heard in Through The Heart Of New York featuring
the hazy tenor sax of Eg White, a musician who shows
a forever evolving instrumental dexterity and who
happily takes on several different fundamental roles
to complement the seemingly calm & uncomplicated
character of Mark Abis.
As in Stronger Than Desire, the use of harmonica
can always bring a sophisticated touch of blues.
Gently out of kilter with the other tracks on the
album, Changing Inside and Heaven Is Your Face have
more of a Pop feel. Less intimate and withdrawn
than the other songs, they are no less indispensable
for their light-heartedness, and breathe a bit of
variety into the compilation.
Mark Abis lullabies soothe us into a state of peace
and tranquillity far removed from the chaos of everyday
life.
Summerbreeze covers and compilation AND FILM credits
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER - 20TH CENTURY FOX
Emiliana Torrini - Love in the time of science -
One Little Indian (1999)
Musique de Nuit Vol 5 - Virgin/Labels France (2000)
Meter Sessies Vol 10 - Universal Holland (2001)
Chilled - Hot Tickets/Associated Newspapers Ltd
(2002)
The Late Lounge - Jazz FM Records (2002)
"Going back to the mid-Sixties, I've heard
more than any one man's fair of singer-songwriters,
so it takes a lot to get my attention. Mark Abis
got my attention. His melodies are original, his
voice warm and distinctive, a real musical sensibility
is obvious, with literate lyrics to boot. My vote
for one of the best of the new generation."
Joe Boyd (Record Producer: Nick Drake, Pink Floyd,
Sandy Denny, REM)
"Like with Summerbreeze, Mark Abis wrote that
song. And he was in the kitchen and I didn't even
know he wrote. We were having coffee and suddenly
I got hyper-dramatic. The sun was shining and I
got this high feeling and I was like 'Oh! I have
to have this song that's like the sun coming up
on your face...' and he was like 'Oh? I have a song...'
And he sang that song and I almost died. "
(Emiliana Torrini)
|