A Mountain Of One is the work of two London-based musicians and producers, Zeben Jameson and Mo Morris, A Mountain Of One aren’t interested in making music that is easily listened
to and easily forgotten. Rather, their ambitious and transcendental sonics are designed for ultimate excitement and maximum fulfilment.
And it’s this belief in the restorative properties of music that is etched into every groove, every beat, every vocal turn, every nuance of their mood altering and mood enhancing album. Although Mo and Zeb’s musical paths first crossed a decade ago, it wasn’t until 2006 that A Mountain Of One (“It’s about inner belief and inner strength,” explains Mo, “It’s about empowering you by listening to the music. It sounds a bit wanky, but that’s what it is really”) came into existence. And really it’s a un
ion made in musical heaven, Zeb’s astounding musical talents (a multi-instrumentalist, he’s toured the world with the likes of Oasis, Tricky and The Pretenders) coalescing perfectly with Mo’s inventive widescreen vision.
“I think we were both in a similar headspace,” says Zeb. “We were desperate to get out
of the situation we were in and determined to prove to ourselves that we could be the men we wanted to be.” Harnessing this frustration and this desire to create rich emotional music dripping with experience, the duo immediately set to work on what would be a remarkable opening salvo of EPs. Their first release, EP1, commonly referred to as Silver (which now goes for silly money on those internet auction sites) had the music press doing cartwheels in an effort to rain down critical hosannas on the band, while Rough Trade captured their exquisite timelessness when they said: ‘A drugged out Fleetwood Mac… Pink Floyd’s Meddle… the full 70s Santana… Arthur Russell… Laurel Canyon… Air’s Moon Safari… JJ Cale… Talk Talk… Madchester… the first Beta Band EP… The Verve’s A Northern Soul.’
Their second EP, EP2 or Gold, released in 2007 was no less lauded (and will also set you
back a pretty penny). By now the duo had consolidated their live set, thus dispelling any
lingering doubts that A Mountain Of One were nothing less than an all encompassing 21st Century psychedelic rock band. Due to the scarcity of these first two EPs they were
bought together under the banner Collected Works, which despite not being an album
proper shot to number 12 in Rough Trade’s Albums of the Year.
That said, Institute Of Joy will still knock you sideways when you hear it blasting from
your speakers for the first time. A bona fide modern day classic its vast scope, its
unapologetic vaulting ambition and the rich grandeur is undeniable. Taking in hypnotic
rock, pastoral folk, Krautrock, gospel and life-affirming soul this is a record aiming
straight for the heart.
“We had to be as ambitious as possible,” admits Mo. “It wouldn’t have made sense
otherwise – there wouldn’t have been any point being broke for four years and being
forced to rob pasties from supermarkets.” “It is,” says Zeb with stunning simplicity,
“nothing less than a crusade.”
And like an episode of The Simpsons, it’s multi-dimensional, working on numerous
layers. On one level it demands your attention, its musical tapestry urging you to
engage. And yet, it’s beautiful musicality, its otherworldly melodies are the perfect sonic tonic for educated escapism.
“Zeb’s wife goes running to it,” says Mo. “And my mum listens to it in the car. And she
likes Will Young. Let’s put it like this, it’s not an album just for musos.” Indeed it’s not.
Mixed by Danton Supple (Coldplay) and Guy Massey (Spiritualized) and produced by
Mo and Zeb this is music that is as accessible as it is adventurous. Years of craftsmanship, of learning and of experience have gone into making it, which makes sense when you cock your ear to its hard won optimism and celebratory collectivism. For those that think it’s inevitable that we’re all going to hell in a hand cart, listen up, A Mountain Of One have delivered the perfect antidote. An Institute Of Joy indeed.
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