Brian Eno / David Byrne

Every so often an album emerges and without radio play, media hype or commercial success it changes the face of popular music. The Velvet Underground’s and The Stooges debuts influenced Bowie who in turn influenced hordes of budding young bands. So was the case with the Brian Eno and David Byrne experiment, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts.

Recorded between August 1979 and October 1980, the album was unlike anything record buyers had ever heard, unless they were dancing on the fringes and listening to Cabaret Voltaire or Psychic TV. Eno (Roxy Music) and Byrne (Talking Heads) took music far beyond what had been done before as they successfully fused world beat, funk-rock and ambient tones with an electronic landscape. Yet unlike other electro groups, they incorporated several percussionists and bassists which gave the disc a slightly more organic feel. The duo were also pioneering the art of sampling as they used from radio talk-show hosts, Lebanese mountain singers, preachers, Muslim chanting and even exorcism ceremonies as backdrops to the avant-garde tones of the music.

The 2006 reissue of this historic album far extends the original vision. In addition to flawless remastering, they included seven previously unreleased tracks and a film for the song "Mea Culpa" by Bruce Conner. If you listen to the Orb, Aphex Twin, or even Moby, you will definitely appreciate this piece of work.

For more info see: bush-of-ghosts.com