spiral deluxe: the love pretender
Francisco Espregueira
Axis Records presents The Love Pretenders, the culminating work from the supergroup Spiral Deluxe, a collaboration between Jeff Mills, Yumiko Ohno, Kenji "Jino" Hino, and Gerald Mitchell. This album, a product of two intense recording days in Tokyo between 2018-2019, followed by extensive mix-down sessions at Paris's Studio Ferber under Mills's guidance, stands as a testament to spontaneous creativity. With no pre-determined musical direction, the tracks on The Love Pretender traverse diverse sonic landscapes, revealing the collective's wide-ranging musical interests. The core of the album, built on improvisational sessions initiated by Mills's percussion and Hino's bass, highlights the group's ability to capture raw, unedited musical moments, with many compositions recorded in single takes.
Adding to the album's rich tapestry, Mills enlisted the late guitarist Sylvain Luc during the Paris mix-down, infusing several tracks with a laid-back, 1970s West Coast vibe through his rhythmic contributions and masterful solos. This final release, executively produced by Jeff Mills and composed by all four members, showcases the unique synergy between these seasoned musicians. Ohno's Moog synthesizer, Mitchell's keyboards, Jino bass guitar, and the driving rhythm section create a dynamic and unpredictable sonic experience, making The Love Pretender a fitting farewell from this extraordinary ensemble. Available on vinyl.