Michael Leonhart is a writer and composer as well as being a truly accomplished and talented multi-instrumentalist. The New York-based musician only recently released a collection of songs on the Secretly Canadian label imprint St. Ives titled Hotel Music.Being on the St. Ives label itself is nothing short of interesting and cool, as the small imprint only puts out a handful of releases every year. The artwork for these releases are usually handmade pieces, far out of print as soon as they're distributed, and with the list of bands including an eclectic mix of indie acts such as; The Fruit Bats, Microphones, Animal Collective, Mirah, Sound Team and Impossible Shapes, the label's discography is sure to remain collectible and sought after for completists and fans alike.
Hotel Music is a creative and mellow affair filled with experimental sound collages and mixed samples that give the album an airy feel, bringing to mind landscapes, environment, and movement. It has a similar feeling to that of a soundtrack; it could easily meet with the music of Wim Wenders' Until the End of the World and be at home in its vast universe. Leonhart's lyrics range somewhere between fanciful and surrealistic, painting a vivid and unique imagery all their own. The titles of the songs are equally as inventive as the tracks themselves, and with names like "On the Midnight Moog Train From Paris to Berlin", "The Madman from Kyoto", and "Memphis Trolley Rolls Through the Fountain", the titles serve as both mysterious and unusual settings for their unique but fitting musical themes.
Download This: Nightingale Floors - Michael Leonhart
Hotel Music Tracklisting:
1. Adelaide
2. Nightingale Floors
3. Atlanta Transport 519
4. Botanique Canberra Gravel
5. Hawaiin Sink Drivers (Fly With Me)
6. Snake In the Hole
7. On the Midnight Moog Train from Paris to Berlin
8. The Madman from Kyoto
9. Memphis Trolley Rolls Through the Fountain
10. Viennese Snowsong for Mona
11. Florydian Casinos
It should also be noted that while you may not think you know Leonhart's name; his music and playing has been featured on many albums and in countless soundtracks for film, dance, and television. As well as being the full-time trumpeter for rock band Steely Dan; Leonhart has worked with an array of musicians ranging from Brian Eno, Bill Frisell, and Lenny Kravitz, to Q-tip, Mos Def and A Tribe Called Quest. He remains, also, one of the youngest musicians to collect a Grammy--Leonhart won an award for his work on Steely Dan's album "Two Against Nature" when he was only 17.
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