RM Hubbert - First & Last

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4...according to our Brian on Thu 24 Feb, 2011.

Bloody hell, Phil should be reviewing this. El Hombre Trajeado were one of those bands only he knows about and maybe 3 other quiet introspective folks dotted around Scotland & Scandinavia. This chap was in them back then & now here he is with his CU backed solo debut which gathers up some incredibly thought-provoking instrumentals of the experimental guitar variety. He meshes together influences ranging from Flamenco, Fahey's Tacoma style, post-rock, Samba &, on occasion, that wonderfully personable percussive style that guys like Eric Roche perfected. Saves having a kick-drum pedal tied to yr foot if yr gonna be a one man band. I always thought the guitar was wasted when people just deployed the strings. No seriously, this chap doesn't sit still, he doesn't just try & throw Jack Rose-style pastiches at us. His playing is vivid, colourful, emotive & inventive. He truly explores his axe & all the burrs, inflections & blemishes are there to savour & enjoy. Like Blackshaw supporting Swans last year, this guy has been taken under Mogwai's wing for their mammoth tour. Get there early and feel the talent, what a lovely surprise! Make sure you shout 'Mrs. Saunders' for me........For fans of the usual suspects, plus the likes of Cam Deas & Spoono!

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· ‘First & Last’ brings Glasgow music scene mainstay and longtime
friend of the label RM Hubbert onto Chemikal Underground
for the first time.

· Following several years in Glasgow outfit El Hombre Trajeado,
Hubbert took a few years off to study guitar before selfreleasing
‘First & Last’, his debut solo album.

· Chemikal Underground have come on board to provide their
support, coinciding with Hubbert’s upcoming support slot on
Mogwai’s mammoth European tour.

· The album also receives its virgin pressing on deluxe vinyl.
· RM Hubbert’s debut is a collection of beautifully contemplative
instrumentals which highlights his undeniable virtuosity without
any hint of self-indulgence or technical bravado.

· The tracks incorporate elements of folk, flamenco and samba,
and were often inspired by dark events in Hubby’s past, notably
the death of his parents and his diagnosis with depression.

· That these traumatic events resulted in an album of such
beauty is testament to Hubbert’s considered and subtle
strengths as a composer.

· Awkward comparisons with folk and flamenco artists can give
the wrong impression – best to note that RM Hubbert has been
asked to support Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thee Silver Mt.
Zion Memorial Orchestra Band, Alasdair Roberts and King
Creosote, and is about to embark on a five week European tour
with Mogwai.

· The LP comes in a singlefold sleeve with printed inners, heavy
vinyl and a copy of the CD, and is limited to 600 copies only.