There was a long time I considered Raymond Richards the ultimate secret weapon. There were sounds he could make that other people just couldn't. Pure, whole, yet complex sounds. The pedal steel is an extremely niche instrument outside of it's Country confines, but it's sheer and transcendent depth has never failed to floor me. Raymond's ear for implementing the steel into literally 'anything' has always been uncanny. After decades of being savvy to his work ethic, multi-faceted studio skills and overall sense of musical honesty, it became a priority for me to channel some of this into narratives through the ESP Institute and get his stories told. Without further recounting the history and trajectory of our musical relationship (see the press release for 2020's critically-acclaimed album 'The Lost Art Of Wandering'), I can whole-heartedly confirm this sophomore release, 'Sand Paintings', opens an even wider door into Raymond's visceral, contemplative world. The cast of players has elaborated to include Calexico's John Convertino on drums and percussion, a bevy of eccentric stringed instruments and even a hint of brass to collectively stratify context for the pedal steel. Through diversifying the timbral palette, we invite an increased soundstage acuity but also reveal untapped wells of emotion for the listener, perhaps even testing cultural literacies. One foot remains in our established ambient realm, while the other steps toward grand cinematic gestures, and despite the dense, insurmountable emotion in these songs, there is a stoic singularity, like a lonesome cowboy pulling up his boot straps to endure another day. 'Badwater Basin' opens with courage, an enormous chord evoking Raymond's image of 'hard dawn', but in navigating through the dramatic depictions of 'Monument Valley', 'Saguaro' and 'Deer On Hwy 80', we grapple with a cloaked vulnerability-weathered by the elements, beaten down and alone, yet still madly in love with the world. -LovefingersTracklisting:A1. Badwater Basin A2. Rattlesnake Pass A3. Monument Valley A4. 2 Cent Mambo A5. Saguaro B1. Zion Lodge B2. Farrington Dome B3. Deer On Hwy 80 B4. Mescal Shakes B5. Sonora
Release date:
June 14, 2024
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Turntables - Top Picks
A selection of reliable record players you can buy today, for every budget
-
Vevor Ultrasonic Cleaner
Thoroughly clean and restore your vinyl records, removing dust, dirt, and grime from every groove without damaging the surface
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Pretty Bitter Pleaser (Blueberry Lemonade Splatter)
Tiny Engines
August 1, 2025 -
Sinsaenum IN DEVASTATION
Earmusic
August 8, 2025 -
Florence + The Machine How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Blue Marble) [2xLP]
Republic Records
August 29, 2025 -
Le Volume Courbe Planet Ping Pong
Duophonic Super 45S
July 4, 2025 -
Primal Fear Domination [2xLP]
Reigning Phoenix Music America, LLC
September 5, 2025 -
Five Finger Death Punch Best Of - Volume 1 [2xLP]
Better Noise Music
July 18, 2025 -
Clamm Serious Acts
Meat Machine
June 27, 2025 -
Late Night Drive Home As I Watch My Life Online (Opaque White) [2xLP]
Epitaph
June 27, 2025 -
Darkthrone It Beckons Us All (Cream)
Peaceville Import
July 4, 2025 -
Fit For A King Lonely God
Solid State Records
August 1, 2025 -
Bostich + Fussible Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich + Fussible Greatest Hits
Nacional Records
July 25, 2025 -
Herbert & Momoko (Matthew Herbert & Momoko Gill) Clay
Strut
June 27, 2025 -
The Beaches No Hard Feelings
Beaches Touring Inc.
August 29, 2025 -
Robert Forster Strawberries
Tapete Records
July 4, 2025