Back to Mine With Protection

Protection, aka CHVRCHES’ Iain Cook and fellow respected Glasgow musician/producer Scott Paterson enjoy freely exploring genres and drum sounds like breakbeat, techno, house, UKG with vibes from ambient to frantic, 80s/90s onward. With the third single ‘THX’ from their upcoming ‘SEEDS II’ EP out now, and ‘Something Real’ out Friday 18^th August, DMC World goes back to mine with Protection.

Iain:

Tangerine Dream – Love On A Real Train 
Released on the album Hyperborea in 1983 and featured in the Tom Cruise/Rebecca DeMornay film ‘Risky Business’, Edward Froese, Chris Franke and Johannes Schmoelling put the new synthesiser technology of the mid 80s to great use, referencing the New York minimalists that came before them to create an incredibly atmospheric, dreamlike sound that foretold their multiple 80s albums and soundtracks (notably with director Michael Mann).

John Hopkins (with King Creosote) – Immunity Asleep Versions 
Having released an album together in 2011 (Diamond Mine) they worked again together in 2021 on the title track of Hopkins’ album Immunity which he reworked without the beats for an EP called Asleep Versions which is where this comes from. An utterly gorgeous nighttime meditation which hangs in the air and gently whispers in your ears.

My Bloody Valentine – Soon 
From their Magnum Opus ‘Loveless’. Even though the song features baggy beats and chunky bass loops and distorted guitars, this song is one to melt into in the small hours. The hypnotic rhythms and waves of guitars melt together with the vocals in a very pleasant and enveloping fashion.

The Field – Over The Ice – (Kompakt)
The insistent analog kick is warm and inviting as the breathy vocal samples and gentle shaker sample form around it. The little build and drop around 4:30 is so understated and effective. An incredible piece of minimal electronic music.

Nina Simone – Who Knows Where The Time Goes 

I first came across this recording in the film ‘The Dancer Upstairs’. Javier Bardem is driving at night and the piece plays in its entirety on his car stereo – including the lengthy preamble by Nina which sets the mood. She talks of how she is tired and really sounds like it, but from somewhere deep within her she conjures something totally magical from the Sandy Denny song. It starts in a hushed way with a gently strummed guitar and unfolds delicately – the introduction of the piano and organ trills take your breath away. Utterly delicate and yet commanding in a way that only Simone can do.

Scott:

Sam Cooke – Lost and Lookin’ 

Sam Cooke must have one of the greatest voices of all time. I adore this track and I heard that Tricky used to use this as his walk-on music in the 90s. Talk about setting a mood. It’s so minimal. Double bass, ride cymbal, his voice and that gorgeous plate reverb that’s as deep as the ocean. That’s it. His delivery is incredible on this, just pure tone and emotion. I bet even if you didn’t understand the English language you’d still know exactly what he was saying. Every time I play this it’ll hush a room and someone will ask what it is.

Brainwaltzera – Kurrytee (MIDI_2_CV) 

My brother put me on to this not long after it came out and I fell in love with the whole album. It’s got a gorgeous, enigmatic lead synth line with all that analog warmth and tape delay trailing off. It reminds me of all my favourite 90s Warp stuff. Not sure if anyone knows who Brainwaltzera actually are. There was speculation it might be Aphex or Mike Paradinas but I’ve also heard they may be a German duo. It’s a perfect late night record.

Skee Mask – 50 Euro To Break Boost 

From possibly German IDM to definitely German IDM. Bryan Müller is based in Munich and one of my absolute favourite producers making music right now he’s such an inspiration. And the whole Ilian Tape catalogue is fantastic, I’m still working my way through it.

I got put on to Compro from my pal at the end of 2018 when this came out and I ended up listening to it all through that winter. It’s one of those albums where the artwork just perfectly encapsulates the feeling of the music. Again, it’s late night listening and I’ve driven out in the rain and snow to this more than once. It’s sublime.

PFM – The Western (Good Looking Records)

When I first heard Skee Mask this was the era of music I was instantly transported back to. I heard The Western on LTJ Bukem’s Logical Progression mix in ‘96 although that version was a mix with MC Conrad on it. It’s been great to see that album get some love again this year.

I had that whole double CD set dubbed to cassette so I could listen to it in the car and it was a perfect mood setter for driving about Glasgow after midnight, dropping friends off after nights out. I see from the YouTube comments that loads of people seem to rate it as possibly the greatest drum and bass tune of all time. It’s definitely up there anyway and from a great period where Good Looking Records was putting out a lot of introspective classics.

Neil Young – Through My Sails (Reprise)

This is from his album Zuma and when I hear it I can just imagine being on Zuma beach looking at the water at 1am. The harmonies are heart wrenchingly beautiful. ‘Still glaring from the city lights into paradise I soared’… Sounds like it’s the end of something but also the start of something new and that’s ok.

Protection ‘THX’ is out now on Saint Lucky Records.

https://protection.lnk.to/THX.

Their full ‘SEEDS II’ EP drops September 1^st.