Fanshaw – Dark Eyes (Mint Records) A breathy take on Laurie Anderson anyone? Well, that’s how we start here, with this album coming at you with a track that could easily have graced Big Science. It is from the fringe of those lawless 80’s, where creating an atmosphere was the first thing to do, and then synth it up was the second. Happily, the latter doesn’t apply here, and the backing builds from just a bass accompaniment on the opening track, “Diana”, to (full blown) trumpet by the sixth track, “Oh Sailor”; and these heartfelt nine songs journey to many more places in the rather short time of just 28 minutes. It’s a slight album, but in time only. Listening to this is not unlike having a gentle breeze waft over you as you sip your favourite drink in the gathering twilight at the end of a hard-worked day. So, if you feel that you have earned a musical treat on this very day, then go ahead and pour your favourite tipple, sit back, and unwind to some seriously lovely music. If you aren’t as laid back as a sloth at suppertime by the time mid-track “Strong Hips” kicks in, then you will need to do it again tomorrow! www.myspace.com/fanshawmusic Kev A. Next