contours: elevations
Francisco Espregueira
Music From Memory welcomes Contours, the project of Manchester-based musician Tom Burford, with his new album Elevations. Burford, known for his genre-bending explorations between house, jazz, and broken beat (evident in an already established discography with records on labels such as Rhythm Section, ANMA Records, Shall Not Fade, and others), weaves a captivating sonic tapestry on this record.
Driven by his background in percussion, Elevations began with the Balafon, a Malian tuned instrument. The album blossomed into a suite of delicate compositions where synths, strings, and intricate percussion interlace seamlessly. Recorded during and after the pandemic, the music reflects a yearning for vast landscapes - a nod to Burford's Cumbrian upbringing. Featuring collaborations with musical friends, Elevations transcends boundaries, effortlessly blending electronic and acoustic elements with influences from minimalism, spiritual jazz, ambient, and contemporary classical music. Available on vinyl, courtesy of Music From Memory.