Jan Linton + Logan Sky: Typical London Weather – UK/HK- DL [2023]

1. Typical London Weather 3:35

Yow! This was a single that appeared suddenly while I was still on Christmas break in another state and not blogging, but it behooves us to investigate even a fortnight or so later, because it’s an example of two favorite musicians collaborating. While Jan Linton has been adding his chops [and eBow] to the late period output of Steven Jones + Logan Sky to terrific effect, Mr. Sky has thrown the gauntlet with this new song wherein Linton is his partner this time. And the word was that it was inspired by a “dream conversation with Mick Karn.”

The barest hint of drumbox was graced with a Satiesque upright piano right out of “Nightporter” but instead of the melancholy poise of that song, the guitar [or were they synth] harmonics howled like a mournful wind in a minor key swirl of anxiety. Linton entered the song, often doubling his vocals for impact within the delicate music box structure of the song.

Just when we least expected it, the middle eight shifted the song dramatically to a more upbeat fortissimo, complete with emphatic tympani courtesy of Mr. Linton. Who followed that with his eBow solo; flying perpendicular to the harmonic atmosphere of the song for maximum intrigue before returning to the main theme for a delicate touchdown, giving him the last word in the coda. Let’s listen below.

I’m chagrined that I was unable to partake until I got home to the main computer as this would bave definitely been in my singles list Top Ten for 2023. It’s all quite an exquisite score for those who may have been pining for an unofficial sequel to Japan’s “Nightporter,” but entirely apropos when their godlike bass player Mick Karn was the inspiration for the song to begin with. And it’s out there now on Bandcamp for a mere eight bits [$1.00] but feel free to tip generously. Just because Sky + Linton make this luxury affordable doesn’t mean it’s not worth more.

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