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The Late Night Tales series has gained critical acclaim over the last decade. The compilations give the most eclectic roster of artists the chance to showcase some of their favourite bedtime tracks- taking the listener on a unique journey and giving them an invaluable insight into what makes them tick.
Names as varied as Snow Patrol, Four Tet, Sly and Robbie, and Arctic Monkeys have taken on the challenge since 2001. The latest instalment, however, sees Norwegian electronic duo, Royksopp, take on the mantle.
In the true spirit of Late Night Tales, the record is a vibrant trip through the weird and wonderful. It touches on every nook and cranny of Royksopp's record collection, exploring electronica, synth-pop, folk, jazz, prog-rock, the odd guilty pleasure, and a couple of new recordings from the band themselves.
'Daddy's Groove' was exclusively recorded for the compilation. The track could blend seamlessly into Royksopp's masterpiece debut, 'Melody AM', but also acts as a wonderful opener.
Listen to 'Daddy's Groove' below
In many cases, the 18 tracks that follow read as if they have been plucked from complete obscurity, but a full listen reveals the time and care that has been taken to make the album an encapsulating sonic meander.
Infectous folk songs from the likes of Rare Bird and Little River Band are married perfectly with 80s pop masters such as Tuxedomoon and XTC. The latter is a genre Royksopp even dare to have a go at themselves in the shape of a cover of Depeche Mode's 'Ice Machine'- incidentally the version is a delightful listen.
The journey also visits the depths of the avant-garde with tracks from Greek cinematic composer, Vangelis, and kraut-rock oddballs, Popol Vuh. For periods, the album is as much an education as it is a recreational voyage.
Cover versions of tracks by Neil Young and Emmylou Harris (courtesy of Prelude and This Mortal Coil respectively) are dream-like and give a subtle injection of familiarity to the record.
As is the beautifully disorientating convention of Late Night Tales, things are brought to a close with a piece of spoken word (from none other than 'Sherlock' star, Benedict Cumberbatch).
His delivery of the second part of the modern short story, 'Flat of Angles' is a continuation of the last edition of Late Night Tales, curated by Friendly Fires.
Whether a Royksopp fan or not, those already au fait with the Late Night Tales catalogue should thoroughly enjoy this. For others yet to explore the concept, it may prove a bit of an overbearing place to start- but give it the right context and frame of mind and there is something here for all the insomniacs amongst us.
Tracklisting:
1. Royksopp- Daddy's Groove
2. Rare Bird- Passing Through
3. Little River Band- The Light Of Day
4. Tuxedomoon- In A Manner Of Speaking
5. Vangelis- Blade Runner Blues
6. Royksopp- Ice Machine (Depeche Mode Cover)
7. Johann Johannsson- Adi Et Amo
8. F.R. David- Music
9. Prelude- After The Goldrush
10. Richard Schneider Jnr- Hello Beach Girls
11. Acker Bilk- Stranger On The Shore
12. Thomas Dolby- Budapest By Blimp
13. Byrne & Barnes- Love You Out Of Your Mind
14. Andreas Vollenweider- Hands And Clouds
15. John Martyn- Small Hours
16. XTC- The Somnambulist
17. This Mortal Coil- Till I Can Gain Control Again
18. Popol Vuh- Aguirre I (Lacrime Di Rei)
19. Benedict Cumberbatch- Flat Of Angles (part 2)
