Andy Votel - Folk Is Not A Four Letter Word
[Delay 68]

Andy Votel is no stranger to unearthing and sharing rare, elusive gems for the masses and this 'folk' retrospective certainly does not disappoint. Having previously released the excellent 'Finders Keepers' beats & pysch collection in 2001 (Fat City), and 2002's mighty 'Music To Watch Girls Cry' mix CD, 'Folk Is Not A Four Letter Word' is the first offering from Votel and Doug Shipton's (Cherry Red) new label, Delay 68. This much-anticipated compilation finally gets a release, with future projects promising to deliver the finest in forgotten funk, psych, prog, Ye-Ye and Euro-beat, discovered from the distant corners of the Globe.

As with Andy's previous compilations, the majority of the artists featured are virtual unknowns to present day listeners, or musicians who escaped stardom when they originally laid their tracks to vinyl. This doesn't mean the album is a "who's who" of pretentious name-dropping, but as the title suggests, is an effort to portray and introduce an alternative side to the usual meaning of the "folk" sound. The tracks selected are not typical folk as such, more a fusion of other genres to create something strange, beautiful but overtly different.

The focus for once, is not on acoustic guitars, but the idea that over 30 years ago, artists mixed proto hip-hop beats, funk basslines and spooky vocals into the arrangement, producing something vastly different to the mainstream music they were surrounded by. Anyone expecting Nick Drake or Simon & Garfunkel easy listening, will either be greatly disappointed or possibly, amazed and astonished.

The results are a broad range of eclectic, experimental and melodic folk-fusion numbers, where breaks sit side-by-side with acid-psych and hippy vocals. A wonderful collection of weird obscurities and sinister minds at work for the uber-vinyl-nerd. 'Folk..' is an essential purchase, if only to give you an education or to open your ears to a whole new World of music and possibilities.

9/10