RECORD TURNOVER 80s HITS #63
I’d like to thank my friend Lauren for putting me on to this compilation of Paris-based Steve Hiett’s music. Girls In the Grass was released shortly after the passing of the English photographer, musician and designer in 2019. Hiett was in London during the 60s and once filled in guitar for The Pretty Things, after which he formed his own band The Pyramid. They released only one single for which the session musicians included John Paul Jones, John McLaughlin and the soon-to-be singer of Fairport Convention.
Today, Hiett is mostly known for the obscure Japanese record Down On the Road By the Beach from 1983. The project actually started as a gallery exhibition for which the curator wanted a 7″ of original music for the catalogue. Reissued together with Girls In the Grass, thanks to Be With and Efficient Space, it’s the result of a severals years of work together with Hiett. The compilation gathers tracks from his Paris Tapes (1986-1997) and is a testament to Hiett’s ability to craft moods. The sound blends the gentle instrumentals of The Durutti Column with elements of the blues and soul of Hiett’s formative years.
