A little over a year ago, I claimed that Tom Misch was ‘teasing a rousing return’. It may have taken over a year, but it seems my prophecy has finally come true! Misch has just announced an album, Full Circle, and his first live shows in over 3 years, taking place at KOKO this April.
Full Circle is technically being described as a ‘sophomore’ album. It doesn’t really feel like that though. Through COVID’s Quarantine Sessions, the collaborative What Kinda Music, and the original Beat Tapes, it feels like we’ve seen way more than just one album’s worth of Misch’s work. And that’s without mentioning arguably his most impressive piece of work, and his technical ‘debut’ – Geography.
Geography is my Album of the Week. Released in 2018, on Misch’s own record label Beyond the Groove, Geography is largely self-produced, and traverses a number of genres – soul, disco, jazz and hip-hop – a musical landscape, if you will.
Geography is one of those records where something jumps out to me every time I listen. It’s not necessarily something that I’ve never noticed before, but maybe just something I’ve never fully appreciated, or something which just hits a little sweeter on that particular listen. For example, my most recent listen conjured up a real feeling of appreciation for the soloing throughout Geography. From Misch’s guitar noodling in Before Paris to Johnny Woodham’s muted trumpet solo in Lost in Paris, and Reuben James’ beautiful piano solo in Movie to more Misch noodling on his cover of Isn’t She Lovely, there are some incredible moments of individual brilliance at play, particularly in the first half of the record. I think these sometimes fly under the radar or get lost in the busyness of some of the tracks.
Another element which stood out to me recently is a much more specific one. The spoken word intro to the album comes from legendary jazz musician Roy Hargrove, passionately talking about music:
“You have to do this because you love it. And it doesn’t matter if you broke, you still gon’ do it…you have to love this thing, man! You have to love it and breathe it and—It’s your morning coffee. It’s your food. That’s why you become an artist. Art is a mirror of society, you know…”
It’s a fitting start to Geography, and introduces us to both Misch’s passion for his craft, and the identity of this record as very much inspired and influenced by jazz.
The album opener is not the only section where spoken word is implemented as a brilliant tone setter. Movie, one of my personal favourite tracks on this record, includes a spoken word introductory ‘sample’:
“My cheek brushes against his
Smooth on stubble for a moment
And then it’s gone
He walks along the platform as if in a dream
Every fiber in me wants to shout and scream
‘Stop!’
To run across to him, to take him in my arms
To tell him, ‘I love you! You silly, silly man, I love you!’
But instead I stand still
Heart cracking
Those little curls on the back of his head bouncing
As he steps out of my life, forever.”
Only until I sat down to write this article did I learn that this sample is not in fact taken from a 1940s romantic film – but was recorded by Misch’s sister, Polly Misch, specifically for the track. It even includes a ringing bell, whistle, and the chugging of train wheels on a track. It’s a fantastic emulation of the atmosphere Misch is going for on this track, and it really does frame the entire song.
Misch is a collaborator, and his partnerships have produced some of his finest releases. Think Damselfly and Angel with Loyle Carner, Money with Michael Kiwanuka, and of course the entirety of What Kinda Music, with Yussef Dayes. Geography is, of course, no different. Rappers GoldLink, Posdnuos (De La Soul) and Loyle Carner offer their own verses, and Poppy Ajudha’s vocals bring Disco Yes to life.
Geography is a fine example of a ‘debut’ album, which saw the emergence of an artist as a frontrunner in their scene. Tom Misch, spurred by this seminal record, has seen sustained hype and success over the last 7 years – despite a quiet period over the last couple. There is no doubt an exciting new era on its way, and I, for one, cannot wait.
Waxing Lyrical 