PETE UM - NO PRESSURE (LP)

"Pete Um, a breeder of horses and creator of quirky tape loops, had already created a proud number of tracks scattered over a series of CD-Rs, a 7" and a Split LP, when he happened to run into the talent scouts of Gagarin Records in a small pub of his hometown Cambridge. The fateful encounter set the clock ticking for a release but it would be five years before the essence of Um's vast output was distilled into a flock of 18 tracks that now dazzle silvery on this very record. Meanwhile, his music had been boosted by eccentrics such as Ariel Pink and featured in mixes by celebrities such as Hot Chip. The icing on the cake was delivered by Antwerp's punk painter Dennis Tyfus (Ultra Eczema) who created the poisonous cover for this record. The sleeve of was printed exclusively in special colours (phosphor green, gold, bronze) on thick cardboard - a measure that nearly went beyond the scope of the budget. Even this extravagance couldn't stop Gagarin Records from complying with the demands of Um's fans to add an inlay with his lyrics." (label info)