Territories: WW -DE, -AT

TRACKLIST:
A1. Useless Machines
A2. And Everything Is One Thing After Another
A3. Rebstock Fold
B1. Earth Moves
B2. Thresholds
B3. Luck Takes A Step
C1. I Can Still See Us
C2. Speculative Nature Of Purposive Form
C3. Cut Up
D1. New Pastoral
D2. On That Occasion, Landeau
D3. Every Degree Of Distance

SHORT INFO:
While previous albums, most notably Leland and Minutes of Sleep (2014) as well as two albums released as one half of the duo Aris Kindt (most notably the stellar Swann and Odette from 2017) have relied on singular thematic and narrative drives that were often of a personal, collaborative, or hermetic in nature, Thresholds is an album that aspires to sonic universality and the presentation of a fully formed psychoacoustical world. That being said it is not an “album of ideas”. Inspired by the ecological and political upheavals of the present and the role of speculative thought as an avenue of global transformation Thresholds is the work of a mature artist fully in control of his powers. Both expansive and nuanced the album widens the aperture of the affective possibilities of the electronic assemblage; themes skip from one track to the next, elevating and informing each other in tangible fields of abstract figuration. The titles, while often heady, concisely allude to strategies implicit in the construction and arrangement of the works: Cut Up, within the context of the album, is exactly that. Luck Takes a Step juxtaposes stately synths with just the right touch of playful fluctuation and latent atonality. The title track itself is a knotted mass of uncertainty and propulsive beats the breakdown of which is a nervous series of fits and starts that resonate not just within the track but as the fulcrum of the entire album: the threshold of our Threshold: “…we are caught up in our own original transversals of time to the point of dissolution, and that which remains a part of the contrivance of ourselves is ultimately that which crosses the threshold and is somehow, miraculously, reconstituted on the other side of it. Because it is via the threshold that we can best observe the conditions of experience as lived even as we cross to the other side of understanding, rejoining the ancient equilibriums of which we, in our depths, are comprised.” (From the liner notes)
No track overstays its welcome and with the help of standout vocalist Eliana Glass, and instrumentation by Dave Harrington (Darkside with Nicolas Jaar), Mark Nelson (Pan American), Will Shore, Greg Paulus and Gareth Redmond, and mixed by Phil Weinrobe, the result is a dizzyingly pure inward gaze that is first and foremost an album about connection.




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Tracklist 12":
A. Minor Forms (Joaquin Joe Claussell's Cosmic Arts Version) (15:22)
B. St. Catherine And The Calm (LNS Remix feat. Nadia Sparrow) (11:07)

Release Info:
After Francis Harriis third album 'Trivial Occupations' gained magnificent resonances during press and listeners - his “meandering, spine-tingling loveliness” (DJ Mag, USA) became an album of the year in several publications - here is the Remix-EP with two very special reworks. While the left-field ambient waves of 'Trivial Occupations' still linger in the ears, Joaquin Joe Claussell and LNS tamper with the two bit more beat-driven 'Minor Forms' and 'St. Catherine And The Calm' for two new interpretations that totally break the chains.

New York based DJ, musician and producer Joaquin Joe Claussell, label-owner of both Spiritual Life Music and Sacred Rhythms Music is looking back on a list of countless works on Labels like Vega Records, Brownswood Recordings and Wonderwheel Recordings. Famous for his percussion-driven Afro-House tracks which are influenced by his Puerto Rican background, he also has a deep connection into New York’s local Jazz Scene. Claussell's Cosmic Arts Version of Minor Forms features the outstanding Jazz-pianist Bennett Paster with skillful and organic Piano lines. The track opens up with indistinct vocal chants and distant piano-tinkles alongside scattered drum hits. This moody, steady swelling beginning follows on the vibe of the original’s jazzy trumpets. As the bass, played by Claussell, hits at some point, the whole track turns into a fusion of virtousic synth and piano melodies, underlined with excentrical drum rolls. A turn back into the lighter ambient-spheres finally ends the wildness.

"No different than how I approach producing remixes," says Claussell, "my goal first and foremost is to initiate a connection with the original composition. What this allows me to do is become intimate with the piece in a way that it almost becomes one of my own. Once the relationship is established, I then sketch out the ideas in my head - then on to the canvas - hence whatever format, whether that be DAW or Tape that I feel can most appropriately assist me in getting the job done. As it relates specifically to 'Minor Forms', I envisioned it becoming a journey that moves in 4-parts (Deep Wilderness, Morning Light, Jazzstosphere and back into the Wilderness). The ultimate goal was for the remix to become a story that continues moving through different atmospheric scenes and melodic emotions-all the while respecting the brilliance of the original story. An important part however, is that i need to feel the original composition before i entertain the idea of agreeing to do remixes. And so, hats off to Francis Harris for creating an inspiring piece of music to begin with."

The lively breathing nature of 'St. Catherine And The Calm' is what Laura Sparrow aka. LNS is most fascinated about, so her approach for her remix was to “utilize Francis organic sounds and approach it both via hardware electronically, and using real instruments”, she says. Her Sister, Nadja Sparrow, who is a professional flutist played over the track, creating a goosebump-atmosphere, that is permeated by floating tape-delays of the originals’ piano and vibraphone. Calm and breakbeat-like drums provide the basis for this breathtaking harmonic adventure. LNS, originally keeping the spirit of Calgary’s underground scene alive, is now at home in the Berlin’s equivalent. Not only her love for Detroit and UK-Techno during Djing, but also a great variety of musical influences mirror in her productions. On her recent releases on DJ Sotofett’s Label Wania and her self-released Recons One EP she shows off a interesting mix of short edged electro and leftfield electronica.

With almost thirty minutes playtime, Trivial Occupation Remixes leaves the impression of listening to an entire album that continues telling the story of the original.


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2LP, Gatefold Sleeve, download code

Tracklist
A1. At First A Wide Space
A2. St. Catherine And The Calm
B1. Song For Aguirre
B2. Trivial Occupations
C1. Dalloway
C2. Recital Of Facts
C3. Parklife
D1. Minor Forms
D2. Beaumont
D3. No Useless Leniency

Release Info
'Trivial Occupations' is the third LP released under the Kingdoms and Scissor and Thread founder’s own name - and continues in the traditions of those landmark records. Having scaled to heights within the club scene and released almost a hundred records under different monikers, Francis Harris embarked on an altogether more personal journey as a composer of intimate, atmospheric pieces removed from the dancefloor.

Here, with 'Trivial Occupations', Harris dives deep into a new sound pallette - bringing the listener on a journey through various states over the almost one hour run time. The album was made over the course of four years in various studios with an array of notable players, bringing a diversity of perspectives and approaches encompassed within Harris stunning artistic studio approach. It was also mixed at Jack White’s Third Man Studios again with the help of long time collaborator and friend, Bill Skibbe.

'At First A Wide Space' opens up the album, setting the tone with a vista of soundscapes, merging synths, live strings by Kingdom’s artist Emil Abramyan. It sets the stage for what is perhaps the album’s (first) opus, 'St Catherine And The Calm'. Spanning over 12 minutes, drifting through ambient textures, shuffling beats and beautifully arpeggiated melodies and found recordings, it gives the listener a widescreen intimacy, not unlike the enveloping sensation of a cinematic experience. 'Song For Aguirre' is a more mournful affair, built around Abramyan’s cello, deep bass tones, pad washes and distant sounding horns from Greg Paulus, adding to the noir-ish 70’s soundtrack feel. 'Trivial Occupations' the album's title track and perhaps the centerpiece in terms of mood and tone, is a dizzying off kilter Jazz trip featuring a cast of remarkable jazz players, including vocalist Genevieve Marentette, Robb Reddy (tenor sax), Darkside member Dave Harrington on guitar and Will Shore (vibes).

Breaking up the album nicely, 'Dalloway', perhaps Harris’ most unique production to date, moves into Dancehall territory with a collaboration with Cameroon born but NY based singer, Kaïssa.

'Recital Of Facts' , one of the only beat driven songs on the LP, harkens back to the sound of Harris' last two albums with a melancholic groove paired with melodic bass fragments and the ever-present pad washes. 'Parklife' follows a similar vibe with the return of Greg Paulus’ mournful horns, but without any rhythmic underpinning, before the previous single 'Minor Forms' appears with its shuffling percussion and the singular sound of Will Shore’s Vibraphone, bringing about a climatic moment listening moment.

The final two tracks - 'Beaumont' and 'No Useless Leniency' both further explore the sense of space with which Harris has become so enamoured - creating textures and backdrops for piano (Beaumont) and horns (Useless Leniency).

It’s an album that is easy to get lost in - a structure suggesting no real beginning or end. Listening to it on loop offers the listener a chance to be fully immersed in the rich, melancholic tonalities of Harris’ sound universe..

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2018 Reissue of the Classic, Now in HQ Gatefold Sleeve! Original Cover Art, Carefully remastered 2LP from Original Tapes + Bonus Download

Tracklist
A1. Plays I Play feat. Gry
A2. Pensum
B1. Living Lips
B2. Lostfound feat. Gry
C1. Of the Field
C2. McLeod
D1. Pharoah In the Morning feat. Gry
D2. Whether It Was
E. Picture Us
F1. Close Air
F2. Leland

Francis Harris is one of the most interesting figures on the american electronic music cicruit and beyond. His output has gone from tightly wound tech house cuts as Adultnapper in the early days, sublime deep house as Frank & Tony, intricate and expressive musical journeys as evident in his two solo-albums 'Leland' and 'Minutes Of Sleep', and ambient shoegaze with two Aris Kindt albums, co-produced with Gabe Hedrick. Most recently Harris branched out with a new label - Kingdoms - a home for his love of a more adventurous sound.
Up until now his most notable milestones remain the two solo-albums Leland (2012) and Minutes Of Sleep (2014) who became essential albums of the genre. Both albums have been out of print for a long time and due to public demand we are happy to present new vinyl editions of both albums. Carefully restored from original masters and artwork the albums now appear in gatefold-sleeves while Leland spans over three vinyl discs and Minutes Of Sleep over two, just like the sold out originals.

‚Leland' features Danish vocalist Gry on three tracks including "lostfound," the first single and video which was remixed by Mathew Herbert and debuted on Pitchfork. Also featured throughout are Emil Abramyan, whose poignant performance on cello evokes comparison to Arthur Russell, and Greg Paulus (No Regular Play/Matthew Dear Band), whose improvisational free jazz inspired trumpet accents converse thoughtfully with Harris' own tonal melodies performed on piano and guitar. Determined to produce electronic music with warmth and true dynamic range, Harris recorded and mixed "Leland" with Jordan Lieb on an analog SSL and then enlisted legendary engineer Joe Lambert to master the project.

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2018 Reissue of the Classic, Now in HQ Gatefold Sleeve! Original Cover Art, Carefully remastered 3LP from Original Tapes + Bonus Download

Tracklist
A1. Plays I Play feat. Gry
A2. Pensum
B1. Living Lips
B2. Lostfound feat. Gry
C1. Of the Field
C2. McLeod
D1. Pharoah In the Morning feat. Gry
D2. Whether It Was
E. Picture Us
F1. Close Air
F2. Leland

Francis Harris is one of the most interesting figures on the american electronic music cicruit and beyond. His output has gone from tightly wound tech house cuts as Adultnapper in the early days, sublime deep house as Frank & Tony, intricate and expressive musical journeys as evident in his two solo-albums 'Leland' and 'Minutes Of Sleep', and ambient shoegaze with two Aris Kindt albums, co-produced with Gabe Hedrick. Most recently Harris branched out with a new label - Kingdoms - a home for his love of a more adventurous sound.
Up until now his most notable milestones remain the two solo-albums Leland (2012) and Minutes Of Sleep (2014) who became essential albums of the genre. Both albums have been out of print for a long time and due to public demand we are happy to present new vinyl editions of both albums. Carefully restored from original masters and artwork the albums now appear in gatefold-sleeves while Leland spans over three vinyl discs and Minutes Of Sleep over two, just like the sold out originals.

‚Leland' features Danish vocalist Gry on three tracks including "lostfound," the first single and video which was remixed by Mathew Herbert and debuted on Pitchfork. Also featured throughout are Emil Abramyan, whose poignant performance on cello evokes comparison to Arthur Russell, and Greg Paulus (No Regular Play/Matthew Dear Band), whose improvisational free jazz inspired trumpet accents converse thoughtfully with Harris' own tonal melodies performed on piano and guitar. Determined to produce electronic music with warmth and true dynamic range, Harris recorded and mixed "Leland" with Jordan Lieb on an analog SSL and then enlisted legendary engineer Joe Lambert to master the project.

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Tracklist 12":
A1. More We Cannot Do
A2. Minor Forms
B1. Minor Forms (Valentino Mora Underwater Rephase)
B2. Minor Forms (Valentino Mora Cosmic Trans Rephase)
Info:
Francis Harris is a founding member of the Scissor & Thread label - a Brooklyn-based imprint established 2011 as an outlet for deeper, more personal sounds, as well as music from a range of associated artists including black light smoke, Bob Moses, Frank & Tony, DJ Aakmael, Desert Sound Colony and Aris Kindt, to name a few.
Harris' own output has gone from tightly wound tech house cuts as Adultnapper in the early days, sublime deep house as Frank & Tony, intricate and expressive musical journeys as evident in his two solo-albums 'Leland' and 'Minutes Of Sleep', and ambient shoegaze with two Aris Kindt albums, co-produced with Gabe Hedrick. Most recently Harris branched out with a new label - Kingdoms - a home for his love of a more adventurous sound.
Now we are proud to present his new solo single, the first since the release of 'Minutes of Sleep', 'Minor Forms'which includes two remarkable remixes by Valentino Mora.
'More We Cannot Do' is a perfect example of Harris' feel for depth and dynamics - a track that feels submerged in a warm amniotic fluid cocooning the listener in a thick subby bassline, providing much of the groove, with skittering percussion on top and intricate fragments of melody throughout leading to a wonderful moment with live vibraphone provided by New York player Will Shore.
'Minor Forms', the EP's title track is cut from similar cloth - emerging from a subtly distant place to inhabit a melancholic, beautifully evocative space - somewhere between ambient, jazz and the dancefloor. Joining Harris is Greg Paulus on Trumpet, a long time friend and collaborator adding his signature touch to an already moving piece.

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The second single from Francis Harris' debut full length, "Leland" contains three remixes of "Pharoah In the Morning," one of the highlight tracks on the album featuring the phenomenal vocal talents
of Danish singer Gry who performs here in here native tongue. Two entirely distinctive remixes come courtesy of labelmate black light smoke and the other is by NSI., who should need no introduction.
"Pharoah In the Morning Remixes" will be out on limited edition vinyl from Scissor and Thread soon. Look for "Leland" in February 2012.
Tracklisting:
A: NSI. Mix
B1. black light smoke "Over the Pyramid Mix"
B2. black light smoke "Under the Pyramid Mix"
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