Tracklist
1 | The Cantonese Detective Agency | 2:35 | |
2 | Some Aspects Of Music | 3:54 | |
3 | All Night Long | 1:38 | |
4 | Wooden Heartthrob Of Peking | 3:11 | |
5 | Chase The Dragon | 4:09 | |
6 | The Word | 4:14 | |
7 | Cyclotron | 3:34 | |
8 | Water | 3:23 | |
9 | Take It Away | 1:56 | |
10 | Flicker | 2:45 | |
11 | Stretch_1 | 5:44 | |
12 | Stretch_2 | 1:18 | |
13 | Horizontal_Diagonal | 3:45 | |
14 | M0903A | 2:24 | |
15 | Melodica Melodica | 1:39 | |
16 | People In Space | 1:56 | |
17 | Free-Float | 3:50 |
Hailing from Nuneaton, England, Kevin Harrison recorded both solo and collaboratively throughout the late '70s and early '80s. While his early recordings would come out in hyper-limited editions or go unreleased for decades, Inscrutably Obvious remains his sole LP – a lost gem of Britian's '80s cassette culture and DIY bedroom aesthetics.
Originally released in 1981, Inscrutably Obvious covers a lot of ground on its seventeen inscrutable tracks – from analog synth workouts to mutated disco and shimmering guitar improvisations. The album maintains a late-night vibe, filtered through a post-punk lens.
Harrison clearly wears his influences on his sleeve – major debts are paid to Brian Eno, Robert Fripp and Manuel Gottsching – yet finds his own unique voice, combining quirky instrumentals and surrealist sensibilities.
This first-time reissue is recommended for fans of Chris & Cosey, Cupol and The Normal. Inscrutably Obvious sounds as fresh today as it must have nearly 40 years ago.