My Mixtape: Neil Cowley

Since then his musical career has meandered like his fingers across the keys, from classical to jazz, to contemporary to pop, and now to a more electronic sound. He’s performed as a session pianist for Adele, been Musician in Residence for the city of Derry, and now he’s stepping out, or rather sitting down, on his own.

On 4 & 5 December Cowley joins us to perform his debut solo album, Hall of Mirrors, a highly personal account of his relationship with the piano which incorporates electronic, ambient and neo-classical production.

Ahead of that performance he’s kindly shared with us this snapshot of his recent listening habits, with a specially curated 10 track playlist of his recent musical likes. And whilst you enjoy that, along with the artist’s own introduction, below, we’re off to raid our archives to search out photos of the 10-year-old Cowley.

‘My streaming playlist is constantly being updated, and like that of most people, has a semi-autobiographical feel to it. So I thought what better way to compile a playlist than list the last 10 tracks that I’ve ‘liked’, and put together a few words as to why they feature. A little snapshot into what’s been going on in my life for the past few weeks!’

Connie Converse – ‘Talkin’ Like You (Two Tall Mountains)’

An artist I discovered just the other week; remarkably enigmatic and there is a dearth of material to listen to due to her much reduced output. I love the fact that she got in her car in 1974, drove off and was never seen again. 

Fofoulah – ‘Blest (Issaadiyen)’

I met up and played with Dave Smith from the band recently and as a result was introduced to his latest project. I loved hearing his stories of his trips to Western Africa which helped inspire this project. 

Krush Groove – ‘Wax Motif’

My daughter is bang into shuffle dancing and I’ve become somewhat addicted to it too. There are endless numbers of people practising online that you can watch. This is a tune that goes hand in hand with it; shamelessly put in this playlist to make you move. 

The Monks of Pluscarden Abbey – ’Sanctus’

I need to visit this abbey. Up near Elgin in Scotland, it’s the last place in the UK where they sing Gregorian chants in the original latin. I don’t know what they’re singing about, or want to know for that matter. But they cleanse my musical pallet on a daily basis. 

Jhelisa – ‘The Sacral Connection D.288 Hz V.2′

I love Jhelisa. Part of the great heritage of the Anderson/Bird family from the US (James Brown co performers etc.), she came to the fore as guest vocalist on the Shamen’s hits in the 1990s, but has made wonderful music in her own right since then. It is a brave move to make this album 7 Keys V.1 and V.2 where all seven keys of the musical scale and sonic frequencies resonate with each of the chakras, but typical of her and her quest for something ‘other’. Good for Jhelisa!

Randy Newman – ‘Marie’ 

I just adore everything about this tune… and that’s it. 

Pan Sonic – ‘Vaihtovirta’

I just discovered these electronic pioneers from Finland. I’m finding their ethic of creating instruments out of virtually anything inspiring at the moment. I could never find myself personally moving this far away from harmonic instruments, but I’m so glad to find a group of people who do, and inspire me to push boundaries. Some of it feels like having my head attached to a lightbulb! 

Jackie Mittoo – ‘Hot Tamale’

I’m always on the lookout for a new fix of Hammond soul in the vein of Jimmy Smith or Jimmy McGriff. Jackie Mittoo is a hell of a find! Jamaica’s answer to the two aforementioned Hammond organ kings. 

Emery Warman – ‘Mangonada’ 

I drove down to the West County with my daughter recently during a beautiful sunset. It was a truly sumptuous moment as this played at full volume and we just lived in the moment. She took photos of the clouds on her iPad and we just enjoyed each other’s company. Simple as that.

Frank Barcellini – ‘Mon Oncle’

After inexplicably putting it off for a number of years I have finally engaged fully with the films of Jacques Tatti. Playtime is now possibly my favourite film ever! Utter utter genius. Inspiration in every frame. This is from his film Mon Oncle. His films have much of this rather casual quintessentially French sounding music which accompany the bumbling but loveable Monsieur Hulot as played by Jacques Tatti. As an auteur, there are few to rival him.