Close But Not Quite Everything Is Recorded

1.Close But Not Quite (ft Sampha)
2.Early This Morning (ft Giggs)
3.Washed Up The Shore (ft Obongjayar & Warren Ellis)
4.D’elusion (ft Infinite, Mela Murder & Green Gartside)
5.The Rhythm Of Life And Death

Everything Is Recorded is the new collaborative artist project from record producer and XL Recordings head Richard Russell. With Russell at the helm, his west London studio The Copper House has become a creative second home for a revolving cast of vocalists and musicians who pass through to write, record and share ideas, mixing traditional recording sessions with extended, uninhibited live jams.

‘Close But Not Quite’ is Everything Is Recorded’s debut recorded statement and is a captivating snapshot of the kind of collaboration and experimentation that has taken place at The Copper House. Across five tracks, the mini album is a soundsystem-influenced mix of brand new talent and established names, featuring an eclectic host of artists including Sampha, Giggs, Obongjayar, Tic, Warren Ellis, Infinite, Mela Murder, Green Gartside and Baluji Shrivastav. Opener ‘Close But Not Quite’ marries Sampha and Curtis Mayfield, the former’s distinctive vocal wrapped around a sample of Mayfield’s 1970 ‘The Makings Of You’. ‘Early This Morning’ links Peckham and Harlem, with Giggs delivering trademark hard bars over a recontextualisation of Gil Scott-Heron’s 2010 ‘Me And The Devil’ (also produced by Russell).

‘Washed Up On The Shore’ introduces Nigerian-born, UK-based newcomer Obongjayar alongside drones from legendary Nick Cave collaborator Warren Ellis. ‘D’elusion’ invites Staten Island to west London with Infinite and Mela Murder on lead and Scritti Politti’s Green Gartside on backing vocals. All - including closing instrumental ‘The Rhythm Of Life And Death’ - are brought together under Russell’s inclusive, idiosyncratic production vision.