RAEL JONES

Mother Echo

TThumpermonkey guitarist’s tender chamber ensemble tribute.

humpermonkey have drawn praise from some prog fans and completely baffled others in equal measure with their metallic Peter Hammill/Shudder To Think style for the last 15 years. But their guitaristkeyboardist, Rael Jones, is more than just a squalling Strat. He’s composed TV and film scores for shows such as Harlots and The Salisbury Poisonings, and his solo work makes use of these cinematic touches, with not a shred of feedback in earshot.

A follow-up to Jones’ stunning 2013 debut Mandrake, Mother Echo is a tribute to his late mother composed in the months following her death and relating to a nightmare Jones had as a child after she was involved in a car crash. The way the piano and string quartet move through this journey is at turns optimistic, tense, dark and heartbroken. Classical documenters-oflife Vaughan Williams and Britten are recalled, as is Ludovico Einaudi in temperance and texture.

It’s Jones’ keyboard melodies and arrangements that startle and impress; the wonder of childhood in Know To Know More and Valley Of Desolation the most poignant hymn (this writer was moved to tears). A most cathartic listen. JK