– THE QUIET RIOT –

Memories II Remember is credited to rapper, Just A Glance but, a bit like the sight of chocolate smudged around a child’s mouth, those of us who are familiar with the tell-tale signs will know exactly what’s gone on here despite what we’re told.

This song bears all the hallmarks of producer, Tom Misch. The multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer is an expert in turning a selection of simple constituent parts into a track that can be seen as both funky and in something of a funk. In short, he is the master of the bittersweet.

And he’s done it here again. The key is to not let yourself be fooled by the Clean Up Woman guitar riff and, more importantly, the steel drums. It’s all too easy to hear steel drums, think calypso music, think ‘good times’ and pigeon-hole Memories II Remember as an easy-going, fun-time-Frankie track.

But the whole tone of the song is one of melancholy. Deep, beautiful, heart-breaking melancholy of the kind that can only be felt after the passing of intense joy. Musically, it is as if Sigur Ros’ masters of the stirring string section Amiina, Coldplay’s Chris Martin (on piano) and John Mayer (on guitar) had a battle of who could make each other cry first.

It’s glorious, it’s food for the soul… and Just A Glance is fine too.

The track is featured on Just A Glance’s debut record -III- which is out now.

More From This Week’s Mix:

KOFFEE | “RAGAMUFFIN”
LAFAWNDAH | “STORM CHASER”
MDOU MOCTAR | “TUMASTIN”
LAURENCE PIKE | “DRUM CHANT”

You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the 45 RPM Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

– SV –