THE ALBUM LEAF Drop Exclusive LP for Record Store Day Tomorrow
June 17, 2022 BY Jason Currell
Tomorrow, prestigious ambient electronic project The Album Leaf, will share a double LP compilation, Past And Future Tense,that is comprised of three out-of-print EPs, only sold via tour on CD, and other long out-of-print rarities, live cuts, and one-offs exclusively for Record Store Day.
Side A: A Lifetime or More (2003, never released on vinyl & not available digitally)
Side B: In An Off White Room (2001, Limited to 1000 CD pressing – long out of print)
Side C: Spinning Makes Me Dizzy (2004, Red Tour EP, Self-released EP never released on vinyl & not available digitally)
Side D: MD EP (Including UNRELEASED SONGS and a collaboration with Peter Broderick
When asked about the release LaValle explained, “I’ve collected vinyl since my teenage years so having the opportunity to release something special for record store day was really exciting for me. This release compiles my early EP releases, songs that I’d play live 20 years ago, and some that I still play now (PAST). I have also been writing so much new music since Between Waves that I felt this was a perfect time to release new music that foreshadow’s the musical direction I have been writing (FUTURE). Never Held a Baby was written and recorded in one afternoon that Peter came by my studio. We connected quickly and since I was soon to be a first-time father, we were talking about how excited I was while also feeling extremely daunted. The track was released digitally under the radar, so I feel like it will finally get the love it deserves being included in this collection. The artwork was beautifully reimagined by my long-time art designer, Alex Deamon, who created new covers for each release that are included as high-quality prints. He truly created a special package for my first Record Store Day release.”
The Album Leaf began as the solo project of JimmyLaValle, who came up in the San Diego music scene playing in hardcore bands and the instrumental rock band Tristeza. He had inked a deal to release his next solo album through the indie label Tigerstyle Records, so he put the modest advance towards a self-recording starter setup, building out the sound with occasional studio access. The music that emerged — vivid, rhythmic, soaring instrumentals guided by lines of Guitar and Rhodes — not only set the path for The Album Leaf over the next two decades of acclaimed releases (for Sub Pop, City Slang, and others), it became a touchstone for the next generation’s wave of melodic and meditative electro-organic music.
