Three Body are a trio of super-talented musicians and producers based out of Nottingham comprising of Pete Beardsworth [Keys, Woodwind], Tom Towle [Drums & Moog] and Guohan Zeng [Percussion & Samplers]. They are also the driving force of the Running Circle collective (with releases by Kinkajous, Yazmin Lacey and more). They recently released their self-titled debut on the label and it’s an excellent fusion of cosmic head magic and electronic percussive energy, at times like Kenny Dixon Jr on ayahuasca. They are also an intriguing live prospect .
As long time friends and supporters of the guys, we decided to ask them to contribute to our ‘Music That Speaks to…’ series and they’ve come up with some wondrously sublime pieces of otherworldy music and sounds, discordant and soothing in equal measure. The selection gives a real insight into the textures, inspirations and feelings within their own creations be it synth-heavy Lebanese funk or minimal percussive body-music; there’s a healing vibe throughout.
Over to Three Body!
“Jon Hassell created so many great memories for us. He’s someone just as important as Coltrane, Miles and Dilla. Working till late at night and then putting on one of his records always takes us away to somewhere else. We had so much fun sharing his music, trying to figure out how he creates his sounds and the concept behind each of his albums. He is definitely a leading light for us on our musical journey and this track opens up the door into his magical 4th world.
Jon Hassell - Toucan Ocean
4th world pioneers with members from Iceland and Germany. The duo is named after a pygmy girl’s lullaby.
Mo Boma - Strange Attractors
We love listening to Embryo. They are one of those pioneers of music culture from all over the world, and they definitely keep inspiring us, consciously and subconsciously.
Embryo - Konga
Derdiyoklar İkilisi are a Turkish group formed in West Germany in the late 70s by Ihsan Güvercin and Ali Ekber Aydoğan. They make incredible disco music with a heavy dose of Anatolian influence.
Derdiyoklar - Dam Üstünde Uzun Uzun Bacalar [Long Chimneys On The Roof)
Oriental jazz groove from Lebanon. Lebanon is def one of the places we’d love to go. There is a real music legacy from the area. This one is by Ziad Rahbani, one of the most influential lebanese composers and political commentators. He’s also the son of Fairouz and Assi Rahbani. A smooth piece painted with rhodes with electric guitar, synth sounds and deep exotic voice.
Ziad Rahbani - The Drink
Italian producer Andrea Benini aka MopMop, delivered this LP ‘Drumphillia’ in 2018. Introduced to us by our good friend Pete Woosh [DIY]. It was a real inspiration for us when making our recent EP.
Andrea Benini – Jawa
Pete watched this guy perform at Glastonbury and was impressed - he basically improvises house music on the fly with a bunch of percussion, a casio keyboard and a loop pedal. Later they bumped into each other at the campsite. Crazy vibes.
Roscius - Yessa
One from the legendary Haruomi Hosono of Yellow Magic Orchestra. He’s such a forward thinker, playing and producing on loads of legendary albums in Japan since the 70s. His solo works cover a lot of different genres and still you can hear his fingerprints in every track. This one creates a soothing, healing vibe and is great for waking up to. This official video was released on a VHS tape in 1994.
Haruomi Hosono - Heliotherapy
Raw and psychedelic music from the one and only Francis Bebey. Dusty drum machines and the synthy tribal melody, so cosmic.
Francis Bebey - Sahel
A sad but beautiful piece from Marcos Valle. Hard to believe it’s made in 1973, and the whole album just sounds so out there. This is one of the first records we bonded over, I think Guohan found a copy in Rob’s Record Mart (infamously chaotic Nottingham record shop) some 5 years ago.
Marcos Valle - Mais do Que Valsa
A calm piece that is beyond its own time and is perfect for cleansing the mind at this special moment. Roland Young was brave enough to step out and express in his own sound, one that will take you on a deep journey.
Roland Young - Crystal Motions
This one feels like an ode to the times we are in. Dark and strange but equally beautiful.”
Gigi Masin - Tears of A Clown
LISTEN / BUY Three Body’s new record HERE!
