Ampersand
20 Seas 4 Oceans

5
...according to our Mike on 26 January 2012.

Ah, you know where you are with the Great Pop Supplement, definitely one of the more reliable purveyors of psychedelic pop in recent years. This time round they’re dishing us up a single from the mysteriously-monikered &, who are bucking the current trends by making a ‘60s-inspired slacker pop number that isn’t remotely drenched in reverb! Instead it relies on a charming tune and a friendly shuffling beat to propel itself into your memory-tubes. On the flip there’s a quiet and beatless psychedelic number with a slight tropicalia feel and Crosby, Stills & Nash-style folky harmonies that reminds me of a little band called the Thamesmen. Pleasant times.

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What their label says...

Here’s a fabulous new 45 on The Great Pop Supplement. A debut on wax from Matthew Hainsby of Fujiya & Miyagi’s solo venture, AMPERSAND.
 
“20 Seas 4 Oceans” is utterly beautiful. A beguiling, almost playful acoustic intro soon joined by gorgeously ghostly backing vocals and understated bubbling moogs. On one hand childlike and very simple, on another it’s slow building, growing sound becomes almost motorik- either way the effect is rather mesmerizing and to these ears is possibly the first great single of 2012.

Wonderful stuff and that’s before we come to the package! 300 vinyl only 7” singles in hammer press sleeves, each with a screened veneer panel produced by Matt himself with further equally gorgeous additional inserts and odds ‘n ends. Just fabulous….