The Killing of Eugene Peeps

Bastien Keb

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22.00 22.00 £22.00 £22.00
  • Genre: Soul / Funk
  • Label: Gearbox
  • Released Date: 9th October 2020
  • Buying Format:
    1LP Coloured Vinyl
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An ode to Giallo, 70’s crime flicks and French new wave cinema; Bastien Keb’s third album ‘The Killing of Eugene Peeps’ is an imagined score of downbeat anti-ballads, cinematic instrumentals, psychedelic-folk and warped soliloquies. Originally made in three parts: film score, soundtrack and incidental music; the record develops in a dream like state, a narrator periodically guiding the listener between songs of longing and regret – “I always wanted more, I always hoped there was more”.

The sequencing of ‘The Killing of Eugene Peeps’ unfolds akin to a film. Songs like ‘Lucky (The Oldest Grave)’, ‘Rabbit Hole’, ‘Alligator’ and mid-album rap tangent ‘Paprika’ suggest they would soundtrack key set-piece moments. Evocative instrumental passages shift and link moods and themes between them; from brief minimal-jazz meanders (‘Murmurs’), psychedelic funk (‘Street Clams’) to ethereal romanticism (‘All That Love In Your Heart’). Throughout, the mysterious narrator in turn lends clarity and ambiguity to the story, monologuing his deepest thoughts over the distant soundtrack of a late night band and noises leaking from the outside world.

Bastien Keb has been described as “one of the most exciting musicians emanating out of London at present” (Dummy Mag), “a modern yet individual sound that’s an absolute dream” (Wonderland), “3am electro-jazz flickering with warped ’70s pop” (The Line Of Best Fit), “blessed with an innate sense of funk and a shrewd songwriting sensibility” (Clash), “brimming with broken hearted lo-fi soul” (Electronic Sound) and “beautifully soulful, avant garde and psychedelic music” (Bonafide). His music has been widely supported on BBC radio by Gideon Coe, Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Huw Stephens, Jamie Cullum, Mary Anne Hobbs, Nemone, Phil Taggart, Tom Ravenscroft, as well as by Amazing Radio and Worldwide FM.

A guitarist first and foremost; Keb also plays trumpet, bass, drums, piano, flute and more – many borrowed, donated or found instruments. Layering his voice to imaginative effect, you may hear influences of Bon Iver or Jai Paul but in truth it’s more indebted to the widescreen soul of The Impressions or The Delfonics.

Bastien Keb’s debut album ‘Dinking In The Shadows Of Zizou’ (One-Handed, 2015) subtly nudged itself into public consciousness, drawing the attention of myriad press and radio. Stamp The Wax called it “one of the most sonically interesting releases of the year” and The Wire noted “his trumpet, bass, guitars, drums and flute playing are all outstanding and it’s clear that his understanding of sound separation and arrangement are just as accomplished”.

Follow up ‘22.02.85’ (First Word, 2017) solidified his reputation as an individual rising talent, a glowing New To Q feature highlighted his “otherworldly psychedelic soul”.

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Track Listings

SIDE A
1. Main Title
2. Lucky (Oldest Grave)
3. Rabbit Hole
4. God Bless Your Gutters
5. Theme For An Old Man
6. Can’t Sleep
7. All That Love In Your Heart
8. Young Ponies
9. Street Clams

SIDE B
1. Paprika (Featuring Cappo)
2. Israel Ate His Own Mind
3. Bookie
4. The Clerk
5. Murmurs
6. The Trains Don’t Keep Me Up Now
7. Lucy (Reprise)
8. Alligator
9. The World Creaks

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