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John Twells is the abstract electronic clip-hop/glitch musical brain who operates his machines under the name of Xela. His debut full-length on UK-based Neo Ouija is entitled For Frosty Mornings and Summer Nights and is to be released January 2003. John was asked to supply Igloo Mag with his current & somewhat casual Top 10 list that includes some interesting classics and a couple ambient highlights over the past several years..
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This album made so much sense when I heard it. A mixture of structured electronics and pure ambience. Every track is so beautiful and delicate. I like to listen to it when I’m walking by myself in the morning, as the frost is melting in the bright sun. Perfect and totally inspirational.
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Liz Fraser has the most awesome voice, it manages to be cutting and interesting without ever grating. This album is probably the most poppy of all of them, but that’s why I like it. A combination of great songwriting and wonderful melodies.
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It’s a toss up between this and Vespertine but I think (especially when it first came out) that this album has more resonance for me. I can sit for hours listening to these songs and I never tire of them.
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I used to be the biggest Smiths fan ever and I guess I’m never gonna shake a real love for them and what they do, even if Morrissey is intensely annoying. I love all the albums but this just steals it.
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Definately my favourite hip-hop album ever, every track tells a story and I’m a total sucker for the Kung-Fu samples thing. Genius music, so raw and loose, but so well constructed. The rapping is just on another level, it makes me sad to listen to this sometimes when I hear so much awful hiphop around now.
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I know this is an obvious one, but it’s such a good record. I cant -not- put this in. Very influential to me and to my outlook on music. I think if this record had not happened the music scene today would look quite different.
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My first thought after hearing this record was “why do i bother” – it’s that good. The track “For Brother” is one of my favourite electronic tracks ever, so soulful. one of the best things about the album is how understated it is, it never goes over the top. An electronica album with humility and subtlety.
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One of my mom’s favourite albums has translated as one of mine. I know every song backwards and what songs they are! Stevie Wonder is a genius, pure and simple.
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Since I play the saxophone this album has a particular beauty to me, it is what I think of when someone says jazz, i mean I know jazz goes far far deeper, but this is pop, and it’s so darn listenable. I can put this album late and night and just ENJOY.
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In my opinion this is his best album, it’s mournful, meaningful, dreamlike, fragile. When i first bought it it did not leave my CD player for weeks, I dont think I had heard anything like it before. I know he is never going to do anything like this again, and that is what makes it so timeless.
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Check out Xela’s For Frosty Mornings and Summer Nights released January 2003 on Neo Ouija.
