The Sheer Group has in the past few years released a string of great local and international singer-songwriter albums on its 2 Feet imprint.
2 Feet has introduced South African audiences to songwriters such as American Jon Auer, who made his name with the Posies and Big Star, and British singer Fugu, while also releasing a steady stream of local albums.
London-based Chris Letcher’s last album, Frieze, was a standout release for the label and Durbanite Nibs van der Spuy has also released a notable album or two on the imprint.
His latest, titled A Bird in the Hand, is a very interesting listen indeed.
The Puerto Rican quatro guitar that introduces the album opener, You Never Were Alone, is delightful, elevating this spiritual folk song to among Van der Spuy’s best.
But there is much more. The instrumentals Tibouchina, Brunette on a Bicycle and Under a Tongaat Moon are gems, particularly the latter, which features multi-instrumentalist wünderkind Guy Buttery on sitar.
Another highlight is the duet Shaded in Blue, which Van der Spuy performs with Italian singer-songwriter Piers Faccini.
Sheer has also released Faccini’s new album Tearing the Sky in South Africa, although inexplicably not through the 2 Feet imprint even though it would seem the perfect fit. If the idea of an Italian singer-songwriter who sits somewhere between Nick Drake and Jack Johnson is up your ally, check it out, but let’s get back to the Van der Spuy album.
A Bird in the Hand is not flawless but as much as more than half of the album is well worth the purchase price alone, the rest veers too close to mediocrity to make this a great release.
Another new edition to the 2 Feet catalogue is Simon van Gend’s Guest of My Feelings. I must admit, as this album unfurled on my stereo, I couldn’t help but think, oh no, not another Jack Johnson-styled singer-songwriter. I was, however, doing Van Gend a disservice by judging this album too early, because as much as there are really mediocre songs, there are also rockers such as Minor Revelation, which features some great mandolin from Brendan Bussy and former Urban Creepers Ross Campbell and Chris Letcher on drums and piano respectively.
While the album is not really my kind of thing, I have to admit that it does feature some good songwriting, spirited performances and tight production. If only it didn’t remind me of Dave Matthews so much.