Mark Barrott – Sketches From An Island

Essene is the introduction to the future loop foundation track Omerta on the LP "Conditions for Living".

I love this album. I have listened to it many, many times and it never fails to charm me.

I purchased this for Baby Come Home, every other track is a bonus!
Feelgood sunshine vibes, friendly, warming, beautiful. Artwork is good but not why I purchased this album!

This definitely got a repress. There were never this many brand new copies for sale the first 18 months after release: now there's over 20. Anyone with a new copy prepared to compare matrix numbers with the OG? Otherwise you're selling a repress and claiming it's an original...

One of my all-time favourite artwork. I have to admit, I bough the record more for artwork and the concept, rather than for the music itself.

Anywhere I've looked this record has received rave reviews. But after three years and a bunch of listens I really have to say that "Sketches..." is overhyped. I have a lot of respect for Mark Barrott, both historically, and where and who he is today. He is a talented musician, has a beautiful vision and I've really enjoyed some recent interviews with him.

But I still can't get over that this album simply sounds cheap and doesn't equal the impressive package. Barrott has openly said that he prefers a minimal laptop/software-based production setup today in the sunlight rather than in a dark basement studio. I totally get his point, but when the outcome suffers from sounding like cheap copies of original hardware and of original 80's/early 90's Balearica, then I lose attention.

Barrott has got a great sense for melodies, and especially "Formentera Headspace Blues" is a fairly nice track. But most of this have already been done many times the last 30 years, but in a less beautiful package of course. So I wonder - am I the only one who sees the flaws of this album? Are all these 5/5 ratings honest, or did some of you also fall for the idea of the album rather than the music itself?

'Baby Come Home' contains a sample from 'Regatta' by The Milan Pilar Group

We need a repress of this beaut! Don't miss out on the new album.

fantastic album, timeless music that has melody and depth, carrying an exquisitely executed theme of summer, beach, relaxing, reflecting, and loving, all siphoned through the mind of Mark Barrott. the artwork and packaging is just the cherry on top. 5/5.

crying out for a repress!?

Prints of the album artwork available on 3rd September from www.gatefoldeditions.com