The limited LP features music from Arthur Russell, Nils Frahm, Vashti Bunyan and more.
Folk musician Devendra Banhart has announced Fragments du Monde Flottant, a new compilation of rarities and previously unheard demos from a number of musicians that Banhart has compiled over what he states as “a period of many years”.
The release – which will be vinyl-only and limited to 2000 copies – is the result of a collaboration between Banhart and Swiss record label Bongo Joe, featuring music from the ever-indefinable music luminary Arthur Russell, Nils Frahm, King Tuff, Vashti Bunyan and more.
Each of the 2000 copies will be presented in one of six different coloured cardboard packaging enclosures and feature one of six drawings by Devendra.
Stream Vashti Bunyan’s ‘If I Were’ now.
Of the project, Banhart issued the following statement,
“I’ve always loved demos, often much more than the final version. In fact, my favorite John Lennon song is a demo; its called “Friend of Dorothy”. It’s a masterpiece. This is an album of demos. You know who doesn’t like demos? The people who make them – that’s who! Wait , wait…. That’s not true. They do like their demos but they are definitely not gonna let anyone hear them anytime soon. They have big big plans for these songs. Fortunately , I don’t mind being extremely annoying when it comes to bothering/begging my friends to let me hear their demos. Unfortunately , I am not a very good dentist. This album could have been called “Pulling Teeth” if ya know what I’m sayin’….
Now, if i may take a moment to say what kind , generous , and patient the sweet people on this comp are. Thank you forever for enduring all of my emails, phone calls , texts, letters, and astral badgering! I am extremely grateful to you – I love you. I would also like to thank my ol’ pal Cyril Yeterian. He also loves demos and happens to runs the label that put out the record you are now holding, so that worked out nicely. I am also endlessly indebted to Dustin Reid for introducing me to Tom Lee, who allowed us a peek into the priceless vault of Arthur Russell’s demos & release this never before heard work from the great master!
Please enjoy this anthology of intimacy before everyone on it freaks out and doesn’t want you to hear their demos (on the bright side , at least 5 of them will show up at your house and pay you the big bucks to get this back!) This comp has taken years and years to put together. Wow. Has it been that long? Yep.
Love Above All – Devendra Banhart.”
View the full track listing for Fragments du Monde Flottant below.
Fragments du Monde Flottant:
01 Nils Frahm – And Patterns
02 Vashti Bunyan – If I Were
03 Josiah Steinbrick – Fo Baro
04 Tim Presley – Aura Aura
05 King Tuff – Living On a Star
06 Adam Tullie – Meridian Hawk
07 Arthur Russell – Not Checking Up
08 Helado Negro – Lentamente
09 Diane Denoir & Eduardo Mateo – Señora Diana La Ví
10 Rodrigo Amarante – That Old Dreams of Ours
11 Matteah Baim – Blossom
12 Jana Hunter – Raising the Dead
Fragments du Monde Flottant releases via Bongo Joe on March 1st. Pre-orders are now live via Bandcamp.
Words by Sam Wilkinson.
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