a room full of tuneful
various artists

The first release of 2002 and the tenth for the burgeoning melodic label sees a Quality Street mix of some of the finest instrumental, beat-laden music you can get your hands on at the moment. It also kicks off a busy year for the label with a pile of releases lined up that include a new 7" and album from Lucky Pierre (Aidan Moffat from Arab Strap, released May & July) a new EP from Minotaur Shock (June release) and the debut album from Pedro (October).

It's a bargain-priced CD-only album featuring tracks from the full melodic roster: Minotaur Shock, Pedro, Empire State, Baikonour and Topo Gigio as well as brand new signings Lucky Pierre. The rest of the comp is completed by a range of guests culled from the best un-released tracks melodic received in 2001; Tex La Homa, Bronze Age Fox, Noakes Pressure and Dreams Of Tall Buildings. Finally, a track from Chessie on Plug Research possibly Melodic's equivalent label in the US at the moment - certainly one of our favourite labels. Then we have a a limited edition vinyl 12" EP taster, featuring four of the finest floor-fillers picked from the CD.

The melodic label began in September 1998 after receiving a demo from James Rutledge. Label founder David Cooper had been to a gig at Manchester's In The City Festival where Twisted Nerve had a night featuring D.O.T, Mum & Dad and Badly Drawn Boy playing live. David explains, ' I watched D.O.T and was blown away by their ramshackle punk/post-rock. They were like a Tortoise/Durutti Column hybrid and it gave me faith that young people in the UK [they were all around 19] were listening to some decent music at last! ' Pedro's EP was subsequently released in June 1999.

Since then melodic has signed Minotaur Shock, Topo Gigio, Baikonour and Lucky Pierre. ' I've read that many major label A&R people rarely sign acts on the strength of a demo. Every act melodic has signed was down to receiving a brilliant demo tape or CD. ' says Cooper.

Minotaur Shock had 'Chiff-Chaffs and Willow Warblers' become the first album to be released on melodic and was greeted with high praise. Topo Gigio (Adrien Rodes) and Baikonour (Jean Emmanuelle Krieger) are good friends who hail from Versailles, France but live in Brighton, UK. They bought the first three releases on melodic and decided it was one of their favourite labels so melodic were lucky enough to get their demos before anyone else. Lucky Pierre is surrounded in mystery (he's an established recording artiste) but an incredible album called 'Hypnogogia' will be released in July and all should be revealed.

In the meantime, wherever it may be that you keep your radiogram (bathroom, lounge, kitchen), simply insert this CD and create your very own Room Full of Tuneful.

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