Imagine The Montgolfier Brothers if they had Scritti Politti’s Green Gartside on singing duty and you might be close to appreciating the unique sound of Joaquin Esquivel. Esquivel has a timid voice which veers on extreme politeness, so much so it’s no surprise to hear him plead “One moment please” to begin the third track. Yet this is a fascinating album and certainly the finest I’ve ever heard from an artist living in The Philippines.
Although enjoyment of ‘What We Know Of Heaven’ will depend on whether you can stick with Esquivel’s vocals, there’s actually some rich, atmospheric music going on here. The jazzy arrangements and archaic keyboard accompaniments made me think of day trips to dodgy seaside towns. ‘Solitude’ echoes a typical Gnac instrumental whilst ’Evening’, ‘All’s In Place’ and the title track epitomise the rainy day reflectiveness of the record. The air of nostalgia is never far away and each track seamlessly blends into the next; bringing with it an air of melancholy and dreaminess that is ultimately involving.
Web Sites:
Joaquin Esquivel MySpace
Bendi Records Site
Further Listening:
Scritti Politti, Gnac, The Montgolfier Brothers, Louis Philippe
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