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Just Music are known around these parts for the Future Loop Foundation and Digitonal but those in the know (like Brian Eno, Ed Harcourt, David Holmes, Rachid Taha, Roxy Music, Paul Simon and Imogen Heap and loads more) recognise the brilliant arrangements and guitar playing of Leo Abrahams.

Abrahams’ solo album is lead by his acoustic guitar in a blend of folk, soundtrack and modern classical traditions. This shows to the fore on the openers ‘Masquerade’ and ‘Come In The Morning’. ‘Come In The Morning’ is a daybreak of a tune that’s like an acoustic Cirkus without the prog. The title track is even more laid back and like ‘From Here’ it’s quite John Williamsesque.

Current favourite is ‘Spring Snow’ as a gentle sunrise over a field of snowdrops with melting snow (this one is on his myspace player at the moment). That said, this album is so superbly put together as a whole rather than 10 individual tracks, i.e. Just Music are supporting their own Save The Album Campaign by putting their money where their mouth is.

And talking of mouth, ‘New Wine’ is downtempo folked out neuvo tango (timely for Mama!Mia types) and with ‘Ends Meets’ he tips his hat at Eno/Reich.

Leo paints pictures with his music, especially ‘The Northern Jane’ (surely a tale of heartbreak) and has produced a brilliant album; apparently Leo says the reason he makes music is that, “I just want people to listen to it!” And if you’re into tranquil dream day instrumentals this is an album for you. This is going to be big and look out for some forthcoming Abrahams mixes for the Brian Eno/Herbie Hancock project!

Reviewed: Leo Abrahams - The Grape & The Grain (Just Music) Cat. No: TAO 026 Release date: 16th February 2009
Tracklisting:
1 Masquerade (3:14)
2 Come The Morning (4:03)
3 From Here (5:02)
4 Spring Snow (6:19)
5 Blind (4:30)
6 The Grape & The Grain (3:09)
7 New Wine (4:14)
8 Ends Meet (3:57)
9 A Ghost On Every Corner (4:34)
10 The Northern Jane (3:45)
11 Daughter Of Persuasion (5:39)

Links:
www.leoabrahams.com
www.myspace.com/leoabrahams
http://www.last.fm/music/Leo+Abrahams
www.justmusic.co.uk
Save the album* is a campaign to raise awareness and support for artists who are looking to create a body of musical work intended to be listened to and experienced as an “album” in the face of demands from new technology for “the track”: radio, for the 3 minute song; mobile, for the 30 second version; ads, for the 15 second clip.