The only county in England I’ve still yet to visit is the rural idyll of Norfolk, home of local duo Broads. The initial similarities end there though, as on first listen to the fifth album by James Ferguson and Mark Jennings, one’s general perception of the home of a certain turkey farmer seems a far cry from the post-industrial dystopian sound greeting the listener at the start of ‘Glass Top’, the apocalyptic opening salvo on ‘A Small Box Over a Global Goal’.
Not that this constitutes a bad thing, far from it, it’s just a bit of a searing introduction before things settle down nicely on the soothing antidotal panaceae of ‘Gold Focus’ and ‘Jugemu’, more serene pieces one can imagine forming the perfect accompaniment to messing about on the county’s famed waterways, lush harmonies enveloping crisp, skittish yet understated electronic undercurrents, quietly propelling you along like one of the local Berwick’s Swans cutting their way through the drink.
The largely mollifying nature of Broads’ palliative new record partly stems from by Jennings’ involvement with mental health education training, particularly ‘A Safe Space In Us’, one of only two tracks containing a vocal, Jennings’ lyrics perhaps referring to a group therapy session, tinny percussion vying with dreamy melodies creating a surprisingly organic feel. Closing number, the stark ‘Headspace for Jamie’ is Ferguson’s final drone laden riposte.
Produced by Owen Turner, published by Sentric Music and distributed by Shellshock. ‘A Small Box over a Global Goal’ will no doubt further endear them to 6music as well as fans of contemplative electronica including yours truly. The duo have also been commissioned by the British Film Industry to create a brace of pieces to accompany two new archive film releases; on the evidence of the eleven tracks here, that’s sure to prove a match made in heaven.
Bootiful!
Words - Mike Price
