{"product_id":"batteaux","title":"Batteaux","description":"\u003cp\u003eA notoriously jaw-dropping folk-funk classic, long treasured by the Balearic fraternity,\u003cbr\u003ethe self-titled LP from the brothers Batteau nevertheless remains a criminally\u003cbr\u003eunderheard gem. Appealing to fans stuck on Ned Doheny’s scorching blue-eyed soul\u003cbr\u003eas well as Gene Clark’s rich country-rock, it’s an honour to present the first officially\u003cbr\u003elicensed vinyl reissue of this undoubted masterpiece of proto-Yacht-Rock.\u003cbr\u003eLike a forgotten piece of baroque folk caught in 1973, Batteaux’s eponymous album\u003cbr\u003esomehow sounds magically timeless. A full 45 years after the fact, it remains a\u003cbr\u003emystery as to why they weren’t better known. The lush production and virtuoso\u003cbr\u003eplaying conforms with the ruling aesthetic of the time - well-crafted, melodic songs\u003cbr\u003eperformed with precision and balance - whilst the shimmering AOR atmosphere and\u003cbr\u003esun-dappled vocal washes align neatly with the best Crosby, Stills and Nash records.\u003cbr\u003eThroughout, the beautifully penned tracks hold traces of Jimmie Spheeris, America\u003cbr\u003eand Seals \u0026amp; Crofts. The immaculately orchestrated percussion and additional\u003cbr\u003einstrumentation (electric piano and fiddle to name a few) are performed by\u003cbr\u003eperennially celebrated West-Coast cats including Tom Scott, John Guerin and Andy\u003cbr\u003eNewmark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s no surprise that the heavenly “High Tide” is such a Balearic touchstone. A free\u003cbr\u003esoul aqua-space groover, its sophisticated rhythms predict the swing of CSN’s\u003cbr\u003ecanonical “Dark Star” by a full four years. An alternative measure of its enduring\u003cbr\u003emagnificence can be gauged by MF Doom sampling Paul Horn’s wonderful version,\u003cbr\u003esubsequently used by Ghostface Killah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe highlights are many and memorable. Gorgeous opener “Tell Her She's Lovely” is\u003cbr\u003ethe perfect example of the addictive, melody-driven songwriting which really should\u003cbr\u003ehave earned them stardom. Moody ballad “Living's Worth Loving” is nothing short of\u003cbr\u003eheartbreaking whilst the chugging elegance of “Wake Me In The Morning” showcases\u003cbr\u003etheir bewitching harmonies. The hypnotic yearning of “Lady Of The Lake” is an exquisitely string-drenched, piano-laced favourite that achieves a peculiar strutting-\u003cbr\u003efunk. It’s that good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis lovingly curated reissue enables a long overdue reappraisal of the hitherto\u003cbr\u003eburied genius of Batteaux. The serene aqua artwork which adorned the original\u003cbr\u003ejacket - their father worked on a dolphin-human communication project in Hawaii,\u003cbr\u003ehence the infamous design - and sumptuous inner sleeve have been faithfully\u003cbr\u003erestored. Whilst, with access to the original tapes, Simon Francis’ sensitive mastering\u003cbr\u003eelevates the sound throughout and, as ever, it has been pressed at a reassuringly\u003cbr\u003eweighty 180 gram.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Be With Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":56476243132747,"sku":"R4829-5927","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Batteaux_1024x1024_jpg.webp?v=1770409189","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/products\/batteaux","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}