Rose & Sandy – Play Cat’s Cradle – Moving Furniture Records

This is the first of two releases I’ve come across on the Dutch label Moving Furniture. Starting in 2008 with a series of CDr releases the time is now right for them to move into the world of manufactured high quality CDs. And my first review will concentrate on this gorgeous work from Rose & Sandy.

Far from being the female duo that the name might imply, Rose & Sandy is, in fact, Ruaridh and Dave Donnelly. The names may be familiar as Law’s work as The Village Orchestra is certainly well known and liked around these parts, whilst Donnelly’s Production Unit mixes and membership of Marcia Blaine School for Girls ensures a high pedigree for this work.

Taking a somewhat more chilled out approach than the acts in question this 40 minute slice of delicious ambience uses guitars and subtle electronics to provide a mournful and melancholic listening experience. Gentle, distant guitar strums and a distinct sense of melody offer a reverb-drenched soundscape that ebbs and flows throughout. There are clearly defined passages here with one part using a background tone that speaks volumes, without ever impinging itself on the single notes that are layered over the top. Small loops of sound play insistently while sad chords come and go, joining the mix for a short while before making way for more overt landscapes of texture that creep around the edges.

Then stillness, quiet, a brief moment for contemplation before the sounds slowly build up for the lovely finale. A spiral of looped guitar, a dash of lo-fi distortion morphing into a dreamy drone towards the end. Sumptuous.

Stripping back their collective sounds, this pair of musicians has constructed a rather beautiful and evocative journey into depth and musical narrative. As such it gets a hearty recommendation.

Check it here: Moving Furniture Records