Tempelhof & Gigi Masin Tsuki

After 2014’s brilliant Hoshi LP, Hell Yeah Recordings is delighted to announce a second album from Italians Tempelhof and acclaimed countryman and composer Gigi Masin. Entitled Tsuki and due for release late april, it features nine tracks of exquisitely designed modern ambient with a blissful tinge of the beach, sun and sea... did we use the word Balearic?

Tempelhof is musicians Luciano Ermondi and Paolo Mazzacani, a pair who have put out three great albums and many magical EPs since 2009. They are expert craftsmen who are skilled musicians with a rare grasp of melody, rhythm and timbre. Once again here their work with Gigi Masin—who was picked as one of the best artists of 2015 by many outlets, and who enjoyed lots of love for his re-issued Wind album, amongst others—is soothing, stunning and serene.

Things open up with Tuvalu’ a rippling, suspensory track full of lush chords, floating synth lines and angelic harmonies. From there things stay perfectly horizontal, with dangling hang drums and transcendental drum lines slowly unfolding on tracks like Corner Song.

Tracks like Vampeta, with their drifting trumpets and plaintive pianos, are hugely absorbing and captivating. They feel orchestral in make up, with live drums and oodles of reverb cocooning you in beautiful sound. Far from performing the same trick over and over, darker, more sombre moods also pop up on Komorebi, whispered vocals make for tender additions to Blue 13 and the glassy textures and clear summer skies of Labyrinth take you to another place entirely.

This is another faultless album from Tempelhof and Gigi Masin that is not only musically adventurous and hugely accomplished, but is also expertly emotional and honest.

01. Tuvalu (7:01)
02. Corner Song (4:52)
03. Vampeta (3:19)
04. Komorebi (5:09)
05. Blue 13 (4:35)
06. Labyrinth (5:32)
07. Phantom Ship (6:24)
08. Treasure (3:03)
09. The Flying Man (4:31)