Hi kids I assume some of you might be bored of all this dancable hummable summer music so to add some spice for the more sophisticated reader, here’s some tunes that have been guiding me to sleep in the last months.

The first piece is by Brethren of the Free Spirit duo consisting of 12 string acoustic guitar virtuoso James Blackshaw and lutenist Jozef Van Wissem. As the name suggests “All Things are from Him, through Him and in Him” has high doses of spirituality in it. Very repetitive and minimalistic, it might take some time to get into it if you’re not into minimalism in the classical sense. The piece takes a new dimension when Blackshaw’s 12 string joins around 1:20 mark. The second piece I chose is by Van Wissem from his 2007 album Stations of the Cross, I guess Van Wissem is responsible for all the religious references.

The last piece is by Jeffrey Roden from his 2007 album Seeds Of Happiness on New Albion, which is soon to become an all time favourite. Roden works solo on his bass guitar subtly mic-ed into delivering incredible harmonies and barren b&w soundscapes. It’s amazing how he can conjure these mental images with only a bass and no fx and all in one take!

All three should be listened with headphones and probably in a peaceful setting before sleep.

Brethren of the Free Spirit - In Him is No Sin
Jozef Van Wissem - The Weeping Virgin, Trembling, Kneels before the Rising Sun
Jeffrey Roden - Rift
Jeffrey Roden - A Radiance