BJ Smith - Between Ship and Shore Part One

NUNORTHERN SOUL

£11.68

Format: 12 Inch
Catalogue No.: NUNS007AV
Release Date: July 2020
Genre: Balearic/Downtempo

A1 Hold On To It [Jonny Nash Remix]
B1 Hold On To It
B2 We Can Sail

Ben Smith return with a raft of solo material after his debut release on NuNorthern Soul back in 2012. The Movedrill Projects saw Ben weave between rock and folk roots and this latest projects sees Ben push the folk sound he has become known and respected for. Renown as a multi instrumentalist, B.J. Smith is perhaps best known for his wonderful 'Dedications to the Greats'release which have seen him cover Mos Def, The Pharcyde and OutKast in his own unique style, Ben is also half of Balearic super duo, Smith & Mudd and one third of White Elephant with Jim and Chris from Crazy P.

This release forms part of a series of 3 12's and will include mixes from Jonny Nash and A Man Called Adam.

Between Ship and Shore is a selection of folk songs that Ben has been crafting between his London home and summers spent in Cornwall and the results speak for themselves. One man and his guitar and his tales of time spent by the wonderful coastline of the South West of the UK and a hint of the Scottish Highlands.

JJ Cale, Terry Callier and John Martyn all influence and inspire Ben, and this is apparent in his subtle yet powerful tales.

'Hold On To It' utilises Ben's harmonious vocals and guitar playing skills to set the mood and building towards the main body of the track which unleashes a barrage of drums and percussion, the calm before the storm one might say, while the nagging vocal refrain of 'Hold On To It' urges the listener to do just that…

'We Can Sail'once again see's Ben show his great vocal skills, this sublime relaxed outing washes around the listeners like the gentle waves lapping the shore. Ben adds brass stabs and harmonies that take this tracks soaring into the blue skies and adding plenty of space to allow it to soar and swirl like a gull on the sea breeze.

NuNorthern Soul welcomes Jonny Nash to the label as he takes on 'Hold On To It' and adds his unique and prestigious style to proceedings, creating an ambient journey of early morning fog bound coastlines with haunting guitar work that ebbs and flows like the tide and adding off kilter, muted vocals to create the erie ambience of solitude and calm.
For those that are not familiar with Jonny's outputs, he is a musician and label owner and specialises in his unique guitar playing and sound. As one half of 'Land of Light' with Kyle Martin their debut album in 2012 reached critical acclaim. He has also released tracks on the Music From Memory label and collaborated with artists such as Tornado Wallace and he also runs his own imprint, Melody As Truth.

DJ Feedback

Andras Fox, Australia - This sounds great. I remember hearing the Outkast cover at someone's house in manchester - glad to connect that memory with the Ben Smith name again. I would love a download if possible. Great for the radio show, as always.

Michael Rutten, Soul Searchin' Radio, Compost Records, Germany - NuNorthern Soul more and more close to my super-fave label, you bringin' them on. Be it the sound of Dos Palos or B.J. Smith now, I do like this vibe a lot. I can't wait hear parts 2 & 3!

Bill Brewster, DJ History, UK - Really like the opener a lot (Jonny Nash remix), very pastoral and typically tranquil but the 2nd tune is the one I liked the most, though We Can Sail is very lovely too. Hard to pick a fave but I think Hold On To It does it for me.

Andy Wilson, Ibiza Sonica Radio, Ibiza - Another beauty from Mr Smith, lovely stuff. …Johnny Nash does a great job on the remix but the original is probably the one I'll play on my next show

Dom Servini, WahWah45 / Echoes Magazine, UK - Amazing amazing amazing. I'm such a fan. Playing on today's show.

Kev Beadle, Mind Fluid Radio, SPW, UK and SunCeBeat, Croatia - Played Hold On To It on the radio show 21st April 2014

Aly Gilani First Word Records, UK - This is lovely. Full support!

Phil Mison, Cantoma, UK - Lovely stuff

Mark GV Taylor, Reference Point, UK - As ever, thanks for the promo download, much appreciated. I shall start plugging this on Bank Holiday weekend at my next Reference Point event, sure a few of the regular attendees will be all over it! ;)

Dr Rob, Test Pressing Website - Jonny`s mix is reminiscent of Radio Slave re-inventing Norah Jones` 'Sunrise'. 'We Can Sail' has Wonderful Sound getting a slot on Jools Holland. Nev Cottee and James Yorkston on a handful of Primal Scream`s pills at a Muscle Shoals lock-in. Looking forward to hearing the A Man Called Adam mix.

Greg Fenton, DMC Update - nice remix by Jonny Nash

http://testpressing.org/2015/07/b-j-smith-between-ship-and-shore-part-one-nunorthern-soul/