Here's an esnips folder containing mp3's of my home recordings from 2004 - 2006
[
www.esnips.com]
A friend sent out some cdr's back then and it got some good reviews...
Gerald Van Waes of Radio Centraal, Antwerp
"Alan Davidson (Kitchen Cynics) introduced me to this promising talent. This sample is meant as demo for a future studio recording, but is pretty much worth hearing. Philip is much in demand on the Aberdeen music scene. He was recently asked to make some new recordings which Will Oldham was producing locally for Alasdair Roberts and he also participated with Kitchen Cynics latest release (This is reviewed on the separate Kitchen Cynics fan page). I also found out he also plays with the Aberdeen based mainstream pop band The Simon Gall Band, and also participated with the London based group `Delicate Awol'.
Most tracks have a delicate mood influenced by sitar psychedelia, and by various kinds of Jazz-fusion styles. The first track, The Traveller is a jazz-fusion song with acoustic guitar, bass, tabla, drums and brass. This is followed by the instrumental Together we stand inseparable in love with a catchy groovy semi-looped semi-Latin lounge jazz vibe (bass, acoustic guitar, flute), a fine intro for the singer-songwriter based song Where I want to be (with acoustic guitar and some airy keyboards). It is especially the tracks with Indian titles I like most. Vrindavan for instance, is a neo-60.s song, which has a tempered beach-like summer vibe, accompanied by acoustic guitars, lots of flute, and another catchy jazzy rhythm. Sundaram is another favourite, as a perfect dreamy psych song accompanied by sitar and flutes. Part 2 of it has very moody acoustic guitar finger picking, and like the first part, with two harmonic layers of flute. Both these tracks have a very warm sound and echo on the recording. On the last track, Sri Sri Radha Govinda the Sanskrit title is repeated in dual vocals. This is accompanied with acoustic guitar finger picking and some flute, with birds in the background. It is a perfect closer for a nice quasi debut album. I await the finished article."
George Parsons, Dream Magazine ..5
"Philip Johnston Sundaram (demos) Big thanks to our pal Alan Davidson of the Kitchen Cynics for sending this brilliant self produced CDR of seven demo tracks by Alan's friend and neighbour Philip Johnston. Philip has often accompanied the Kitchen Cynics, and recently worked with Alasdair Roberts and Will Oldham. This is really something special; though bare bones, Johnston's song writing gifts really shine though brightly. Favouring a jazz-folk sound, with sitar-laced elements (an Indian prayer ends this EP) and roots in Witch season, Bert Jansch, Pentangle, Saint Nick, and more; but making it all fresh through his own energy and invention. I eagerly look forward to seeing what a real production will sound like coming from this more than promising young artist."
Lee Jackson
"Phillip Johnston plays a very accomplished mix of jazz psych in the Gong and Caravan mould along with true blue psych folk gems and spacious acid detours on the self-released "Sundaram" CD-R, featuring lyrics on one track penned by Alan Davidson, aka, Kitchen Cynics This is an absolutely captivating surprise that I hope more people will hear. Rarely does a self-released demo come with these kinds of complex harmonies and such a wide musical berth (incorporating guitars, flute, bass, mellotron, etc) that's fully dressed for mass consumption."
Foxy Digitalis
"I am not really sure how official this 23 minutes long CD-R is because it says `demos' right next after its title. But no matter status, it.s beyond any doubt that Scottish Philip Johnston is a very talented musician flawlessly blending melodic folk beauty and downcast pop with tuneful balladry. Throw in some jazzy reeds, Indian influences, electronic percussion and softly flowing folkedelia, and it goes without saying that this is a low-key release well worthy of a better destiny than being just another demo CD-R. The true highlight is unquestionably the sitar-infused title track, which is quietly transporting and transcendental in the same way as German Fit & Limo. "Sundaram" moves beautifully from spiritual energy and jazz-inspired emotion to downcast folk pop. What we need now is some enterprising label to pick it up and distribute it properly worldwide. 7/10 - MG"