Mark Tranmer | Further Woodland [Vertical Features, VF 050]
Currently available as VFVV 050 - a double 10-inch clear vinyl lathe cut versions & variations edition of 25: also with CD, hand written/stamped insert, and super deluxe album download included. VFVV 050 EDITION: MORE Also available as VF 050D - a 10-track album download. VF 050D: MORE.
Ten piano-led instrumentals.
Instruments played live in the studio by Mark Tranmer (The Montgolfier Brothers, gnac), who has also worked with Alessandra Celletti and Ian Masters. Written and Recorded 2013-2015. Instruments include: pianos, e-bow guitars, bass synthesiser. Some tracks also feature treated samples recorded in the North of England, The Scottish Highlands, and the Swiss Canton of Ticino.
Artwork is by Timothy O'Donnell (4AD & 160over90.com).
Tracklisting
1. Woodland [6:02]
2. False Promises [6:05]
3. Ochre Leaves Allure [4:43]
4. Crossing Points [6:47]
5. Thicket [1:46]
6. Aggregate [1:57]
7. This Jigsaw of Death [2:41]
8. Squabbles [2:12]
9. Further Woodland [3:43]
10. Beyond Those Hills, The Sea [5:43]
Review
This album from former gnac main person Mark Tranmer enters a crowded world of ivories but the opening tune 'Woodland' has got me pretty much spellbound. The rolling piano chords are beautiful and the elegance of the tune has me looking at the thesaurus for alternative words for beauty. Oh! that was lovely.
'False Promises' has the stabbing lush piano style that Brian Wilson used in his late '60's early '70's home compositions, watery and gorgeous.
This insanely relaxing style continues on 'Crossing Points' which reminds me of some of the compositions on the still brilliant Gastr Del Sol 'Camofleur' album. Comparison could also be made to 'Rock Bottom'-era Robert Wyatt.
Some of these pieces have knocked me for six and have relaxed me to a point that I just want to go home and sit by a tree for awhile. There's lovely field recordings here too which help achieve this overall sense of calm. This is melodious haunting music and finds Tranmer easily finding his own niche amongst the crowds.
(Norman Records)
Buy it now
Further Woodland is available to buy now via the Vertical Features Shop.
Further Woodland is also available as a digital download via iTunes UK.
![Mark Tranmer | Further Woodland [Vertical Features VF 050]](images/further-woodland-330.jpg)
![Mark Tranmer | Further Woodland [Vertical Features VF 050]](images/further-woodland-330.jpg)
Related discography
Mark Tranmer
- Mark Tranmer - Claviature (VF1079)
- Mark Tranmer - Further Woodland (VF050)
- Mark Tranmer - How Scarlet The Leaves (VF007, 12"+ CD)
- Mark Tranmer and Alessandra Celletti - 'The Red Pages' / 'How Scarlet The Leaves' special 2 CD package [VF017]
- Mark Tranmer and Alessandra Celletti - The Red Pages (Album, 2010, Vertical Features, VF 001)
- Mark Tranmer - Scoop Of Ice-Cream Moon (Album, 2009 reissue) Vertical Features, VF 010 D
- Mark Tranmer - Scoop Of Ice-Cream Moon (Album, 2004) Kooky Records, kookydisc 017
- VF007X (Album compilation, 2012, Vertical Features, VF007X)
gnac
- The Unread Pages (MP3 Album, 2012, Vertical Features)
- Three Long Pieces (MP3 Album, 2012, Vertical Features)
- Gnac With Alessandra Celletti - The Red Pages (Album, 2010, Vertical Features, VF 001)
- The Arrival Of The Fog (Album, 2007, LTM, LTMCD 2491)
- Sevens (Compilation album, 2007, LTM)
- Twelve Sidelong Glances (Album, 2006, LTM, LTMCD 2446)
- Soviet Bureau (1997-2003) (Compilation album, 2004, Zakat, Soyuz Music, ZAKCD003)
- Biscuit Barrel Fashion (Album, 2001, Poptones)
- Gnac / (Smooth) Operator - In The Bumpy Air / Alaska (Split 7" single, 2001, Octane Grammophon, oct-2)
- Gnac - Friend Sleeping (Album, 1999, Vespertine, ves 010)
- Sevens (Compilation album, 1999, Rocket Girl)
- Eighteenth Century Quiz Show (7" single, 1999, Acetone Records, Solve 010 SC IV)
- Hennebert Sleeve (7" single, 1999, Liquefaction Empire, DUSKE 9)
- Matchmaker (Via Remixology) #2 (12" single, 1999, Fuzzy Box, Darla Records, FUZ-016, DRL-079)
- The Moustache / Armchair Thriller (7" single, 1998, Earworm, WORM 29)
- In Mauve EP (7" single, 1998, Amberley, amy 007)
- A Tangle With... (7" single, 1998, Kooky Records, kookydisc 007)
The Montgolfier Brothers
- All My Bad Thoughts (Album, 2005, Vespertine & Son, five)
- The Montgolfier Brothers - Journey's End (Single, 2005, Vespertine & Son, four)
- The World Is Flat (Album, 2002, Epic Records International)
- Pro-Celebrity Standing Around / Between Two Points (Single, 2001, Poptones, mc5001s)
- Seventeen Stars (Album, 1999, Vespertine)
Vertical Features Catalogue
- VF001: The Red Pages (2XCD)
- VF001D: gnac with Alessandra Celletti - 'The Red Pages' (digital download)
- VF002 & VF003: Bad Dancers Collide - 'Glimpses' EP parts 1 & 2 (digital download)
- VF002+VF003: GLIMPSES: (2 X colour 7")
- VF004D: gnac - 'Three Long Pieces'(digital download: DELETED)
- VF005D: wingdisk - 'Time Is Running Out +' (11-track album; digital download: DELETED)
- VF006D: gnac - 'Second Scoop of Ice-Cream Moon' (2-track digital download: DELETED)
- VF007: Mark Tranmer - How Scarlet The Leaves (12"+ CD)
- VF007CD: Mark Tranmer - How Scarlet The Leaves (CD only in a clear plastic wallet with hand-written track listing on a locally-sourced postcard. 25 copies)
- VF007SE: Mark Tranmer - How Scarlet The Leaves (12" + 2XCD + Postcard. Special edition of 60. First CD is the album tracks on CD. Second CD (VF007X) contains 8 rare and unreleased guitar-based tracks)
- VF008D gnac - 'Mark Tranmer and Alessandra Celletti Live in Rome (2-track digital download: DELETED)
- VF009D gnac - 'The Unread Pages' (10-track digital album. Physical version available on CD2 of VF001)
- VF010D Mark Tranmer - 'Scoop of Ice-Cream Moon' (20-track digital download album)
- VF011D Mark Tranmer and Alessandra Celletti - 'The Red Pages' (25-track digital download album. Physical version available on CD1 of VF001)
- VF012D: Mark Tranmer - 'How Scarlet The Leaves (IV)' (1-track digital download single).
- VF017: Mark Tranmer & Alessandra Celletti / Mark Tranmer - 'The Red Pages' / 'How Scarlet The Leaves' (special 2CD packaging; 100 hand-numbered copies).