JOSE GONZALEZ Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Jose Gonzalez is one of the most acclaimed global musicians of the last few years, despite having such a quiet and intimate sound. Now comes his much anticipated fourth album which is another testament to his ability to draw you in and hypnotise you with his unique rhythmic style. Hugely pastoral and organic throughout, this record packs in plenty of mesmeric guitar paying and on some songs drum machine grooves. As always there is the odd reinterpretation of other artists' work and plenty of vital originals that come infused with elements of music from all over the world.

Review: It's now been nine years since Swedish troubadour Jose Gonzalez rose to worldwide ubiquity thanks to his cover of The Knife's 'Heartbeats', and this is only his third solo record in twelve years. True to form, 'Vestiges And Claws' is a notable development of Gonzalez' sound. Whilst there may be no shortage of the kind of delicately constructed and tastefully somnambulistic songcraft by which he made his name - somewhat akin to a 21st century Cat Stevens - there is both a depth of subject matter and a glorious breadth of instrumentation to these ditties that bear the hallmark of an restless artist disinclined to rest on his laurels.

Review: With a background playing in Swedish punk bands, the potent emotional force distilled within Jose Gonzalez's music suddenly makes a lot of sense. Hearing the ten songs on "In Our Nature" is almost like a palette cleanser. Even more starkly compelling than before, his approach is identifiably patient, methodical and focused on illuminating melodic details at unexpected angles. As a guitarist, he finds accord with players like Geoff Farina, and in the finger-picking style of Cuba's Silvio Rodrigeuz. Having worked on the songs at length on his own, the album was recorded to tape in two weeks in a studio in Gothenburg. Jose (guitar and vocals) is joined by Erik Bodin (percussion), Hakan Wirenstrand (keyboards) and Little Dragon's songwriter/vocalist, Yukimi Nagamo (backing vocals).