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Farewell to Midnight

by Eric Hilton

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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    From Eric Hilton, Godfather of downtempo electronics comes two new tracks of dub soul goodness, “Farewell to Midnight” b/w “Front Line”.

    Eric Hilton’s work as a solo artist is primarily instrumental; for this release longtime collaborator Puma Ptah provided vocals and the lyrics on both tracks. Hilton and Ptah’s musical relationship goes back to the 2012 debut album by The Archives, a roots reggae project which Hilton produced, and Puma performs with. Ptah has also been a frequent guest on recordings and is a key member in Thievery Corporation’s live show.

    Musically speaking, the a-side “Farewell to Midnight” delivers the laid-back groove and sparkling atmospherics that Hilton has perfected in his solo work, while Ptah’s soft and soaring voice seems to answer the question “what if Marvin Gaye made a reggae record?” It was a vocal performance that Ptah initially found challenging. “Farewell” is in a higher key than my usual range and initially I wasn’t comfortable singing like this,” said Ptah. “But Eric pushed me. I couldn’t project my voice as easily in that key, so I sang softer, it took a couple of takes and then it was comfortable.” Hilton expanded, “I love working with Puma, he has an incredible voice, he writes beautiful lyrics and brings such a good vibe to every performance. His background is in roots reggae but he’s a real soul singer. “Farewell To Midnight” is my favorite vocal performance by him, and I think we made a really great sounding record,” says Hilton.

    Ptah’s questioning lyrics for “Farewell to Midnight” brilliantly contrast the musical sweetness of the record. “Life seems significantly more stressful post pandemic, everyone’s mind seems to be full of anxiety,” says Ptah. “Suffering is symbolized by midnight - midnight is gonna come no matter what, you just have to be ready for it. Things can fall apart or get dark, but good outcomes can come from that.” Ultimately, “Farewell to Midnight” acknowledges the inevitable darkness we all must contend with, but with eyes looking hopefully towards the impending dawn.

    The b-side “Front Line” is Afrobeat in flavor, tough and more uptempo. Horn flourishes and a simply burning flute solo funk things up. Once again, Ptah’s draws his lyrical inspiration from the tribulations of modern life, and the will to never stop fighting. “My strength comes from community and family,” say Ptah. I may not be able to change the world, but I can try to influence and be influenced by my community. If I can be of assistance to them, that’s a realistic hope for me. Start your fight against injustices from within your community.”

    The retro cover art features of juxtaposition of photographs the artists took of each other on separate occasions; the graphic design a beautiful compliment to the limited-edition green vinyl 7” that will be available for pre-order. Both artists are looking forward to fans hearing this latest chapter in their long musical working relationship. "Eric’s solo music is a breath of fresh air,’ Ptah effuses. “It’s hard, especially as an artist to be hopeful in these times - but I'm becoming hopeful again."

    Includes unlimited streaming of Farewell to Midnight via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 7 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $26 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    From Eric Hilton, Godfather of downtempo electronics comes two new tracks of dub soul goodness, “Farewell to Midnight” b/w “Front Line”.

    Eric Hilton’s work as a solo artist is primarily instrumental; for this release longtime collaborator Puma Ptah provided vocals and the lyrics on both tracks. Hilton and Ptah’s musical relationship goes back to the 2012 debut album by The Archives, a roots reggae project which Hilton produced, and Puma performs with. Ptah has also been a frequent guest on recordings and is a key member in Thievery Corporation’s live show.

    Musically speaking, the a-side “Farewell to Midnight” delivers the laid-back groove and sparkling atmospherics that Hilton has perfected in his solo work, while Ptah’s soft and soaring voice seems to answer the question “what if Marvin Gaye made a reggae record?” It was a vocal performance that Ptah initially found challenging. “Farewell” is in a higher key than my usual range and initially I wasn’t comfortable singing like this,” said Ptah. “But Eric pushed me. I couldn’t project my voice as easily in that key, so I sang softer, it took a couple of takes and then it was comfortable.” Hilton expanded, “I love working with Puma, he has an incredible voice, he writes beautiful lyrics and brings such a good vibe to every performance. His background is in roots reggae but he’s a real soul singer. “Farewell To Midnight” is my favorite vocal performance by him, and I think we made a really great sounding record,” says Hilton.

    Ptah’s questioning lyrics for “Farewell to Midnight” brilliantly contrast the musical sweetness of the record. “Life seems significantly more stressful post pandemic, everyone’s mind seems to be full of anxiety,” says Ptah. “Suffering is symbolized by midnight - midnight is gonna come no matter what, you just have to be ready for it. Things can fall apart or get dark, but good outcomes can come from that.” Ultimately, “Farewell to Midnight” acknowledges the inevitable darkness we all must contend with, but with eyes looking hopefully towards the impending dawn.

    The b-side “Front Line” is Afrobeat in flavor, tough and more uptempo. Horn flourishes and a simply burning flute solo funk things up. Once again, Ptah’s draws his lyrical inspiration from the tribulations of modern life, and the will to never stop fighting. “My strength comes from community and family,” say Ptah. I may not be able to change the world, but I can try to influence and be influenced by my community. If I can be of assistance to them, that’s a realistic hope for me. Start your fight against injustices from within your community.”

    The retro cover art features of juxtaposition of photographs the artists took of each other on separate occasions; the graphic design a beautiful compliment to the limited-edition green vinyl 7” that will be available for pre-order. Both artists are looking forward to fans hearing this latest chapter in their long musical working relationship. "Eric’s solo music is a breath of fresh air,’ Ptah effuses. “It’s hard, especially as an artist to be hopeful in these times - but I'm becoming hopeful again."

    Farewell To Midnight b/w Front Line will be released by Montserrat House on May 12th 2023.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Farewell to Midnight via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 7 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $14 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $2 USD

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 13 Eric Hilton releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Sound Vagabond, Poppy Fields, Closer, Midnight Milan, Corazón Kintsugi, Amor Astral, Farewell to Midnight, Present Past and Future, and 5 more. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $63.99 USD or more (20% OFF)

     

1.
Farewell To Midnight Verse 1: Things that I see, things that I know, has came with a steep price And though I try and fight I fail, to release what it feels like And all my decisions built upon a mission, to reach the unknown Has only lead to fears and tears, drowning the seeds that were sewn But this is only life’s dawning, and I can see through the tears and the cracks Oh yes the light from the morning, and I can feel my soul relax A farewell to the midnight, always and teacher and a friend Ready myself inna de evening time cause you never know what life will recommend Chorus: A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh Verse 2: Your cup will runneth ova sometimes Yeahya Betta drink yuh fill full ah sunshine Yeahya, Yeah A farewell to the midnight, always a teacher not a friend Ready myself inna de evening time cause you never know what life will recommend Chorus: A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh Verse 3: I know you try, and so do I, to believe there’s one way to Convince the night, to pass us by, maybe not one but two Weeks at at time, forgiving skies, with some hopeful shades of blue But don’t deny, evening will arrive, on this final afternoon Your cup will runneth ova sometimes Yeahya Betta drink yuh fill full ah sunshine Yeahya, Yeah Chorus: A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh A farewell to the midnight, Ohhh
2.
Front Line 05:30
Front Line Verse 1: Unaware of intentions, appeared to be so cool and kind Even the darkest hearts, can come as an angel of light Before we place the blame, what have you done to change the times Our enemies are strong, but not stronger than soul and mind Chorus: Terrified of the front line You close your mind and then deny Their vault of secrets What they provide, kills the vibe Knowing the little we have left we try to keep it Don’t run away (Repeat 1x) Verse 2: Somebody please show me, the thin line between what’s wrong and right At times we all have to concede, no evidence for future fights Chorus: Terrified of the front line You close your mind and then deny Their vault of secrets What they provide, kills the vibe Knowing the little we have left we try to keep it Don’t run away (Repeat 2x) Verse 3: Don’t run away cuz your future bright They can’t dim our inner light Fighting with our soul and mind

about

From Eric Hilton, Godfather of downtempo electronics comes two new tracks of dub soul goodness, “Farewell to Midnight” b/w “Front Line”. Hilton’s longtime collaborator Puma Ptah (a frequent guest on recordings and live performances by Thievery Corporation) provides vocals and the lyrics on both tracks.

Musically speaking, the a-side “Farewell to Midnight” delivers the laid-back groove and sparkling atmospherics that Hilton has perfected in his solo work, while Ptah’s soft and soaring voice seems to answer the question “what if Marvin Gaye made a reggae record?” The b-side “Front Line” is Afrobeat in flavor, tough and more uptempo. Horn flourishes and a simply burning flute solo funk things up.

The retro cover art features of juxtaposition of photographs Hilton and Ptah took of each other on separate occasions. Both artists are looking forward to fans hearing this latest chapter in their long musical working relationship. "Eric’s solo music is a breath of fresh air,’ Ptah effuses. “It’s hard, especially as an artist to be hopeful in these times - but I'm becoming hopeful again."

credits

released May 12, 2023

Management Contact: cory@montserratmusic.com

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Eric Hilton Washington, D.C.

On his stunning new album “Lost Dialect”, Eric Hilton speaks the 12-bit vernacular of trip-hop, a genre he helped birth as a co-founder of the legendary downtempo electronic music act Thievery Corporation. Across ten expansive tracks, the artist/producer uses old-school skills to craft new school chill. The old ways remain strong. Speak the "Lost Dialect." ... more

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