Name: A Matter Of Life… 2021
Brand: Penguin Cafe

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

ERATP149CD

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-04-29

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Forte

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

3700551784455

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

ERATP149LP

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Black

2022-07-15

3700551784363

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Penguin Cafe

Genre GB

Modern Composition

Label GB

Erased Tapes

Erased Tapes Records is a London-based record label established in 2007 by Robert Raths, also known as Ghostworker. With the label code LC 15952, Erased Tapes has become renowned for its diverse roster of *artists* and *performers*. The label's focus lies on releasing avant-garde and experimental music across various genres, including ambient, electronic, and modern classical. Erased Tapes has gained a reputation for nurturing talented musicians and pushing boundaries within the industry. Their commitment to quality and innovation has made them a trusted source for unique and captivating musical experiences.
At Erased Tapes, they believe that music should be an immersive journey that transcends traditional boundaries. They strive to create an environment where artists can freely express their creativity while receiving support from a dedicated team of professionals. By fostering close relationships with their *artists*, Erased Tapes ensures that each release is treated with care and attention to detail.
Over the years, Erased Tapes has built an impressive catalog of critically acclaimed albums that have resonated with listeners worldwide. From the ethereal compositions of Nils Frahm to the mesmerizing soundscapes of A Winged Victory For The Sullen, each release showcases the label's commitment to showcasing groundbreaking talent.

The Penguin Cafe Orchestra (PCO) was founded by British composer Simon Jeffes (1949 - 1997). Jeffes, born in Sussex, England and raised in Canada and around Europe, began playing the guitar at the age of 13. He studied classical guitar, piano, and music theory at Chiswick Polytechnic before dropping out. 

While living in Japan in 1972, Jeffes developed an interest in ethnic music, particularly African styles. Inspired by this fusion of sounds, he launched the PCO as a platform for his eclectic compositions. The concept of "Penguin Cafe" came to him in a dream during a bout of food poisoning in the south of France that summer. Describing their music as "modern semi-acoustic chamber music," the PCO's unique style blends traditional Western sounds with diverse influences.

Contact Information: 
Penguin Cafe Orchestra 
2 Hippodrome Place 
London W11 4NG 
UK 
Tel: +44 20 7792 3493 
Fax: +44 7792 7855

Penguin Cafe are back with a lovingly produced 10th anniversary reissue of their debut album, titled A Matter of Life… 2021. Besides being completely remastered and pressed on vinyl for the very first time, the record also features a brand new 2021 recording of lead single Harry Piers, a song commemorating Arthur Jeffes’ late father and Penguin Cafe Orchestra founder Simon Jeffes.

“I originally wrote Harry Piers to play at my dad‘s memorial service 24 years ago, and I played it at the end of pretty much every gig (and soundcheck) we’ve done since, so I’ve probably played it hundreds if not thousands of times since we originally released A Matter of Life... So when we decided to reissue the album, Robert and I both felt it would be fun to record an up-to-date version of this song, because it has changed over time and it continues to evolve. So while this is still very much the same tune, I think it has a lot more nuance and detail that reflect the years that have passed since 2011,” Arthur explains. 

A Matter of Life… 2021 is a chance for a classic example of the beauty that’s found in collaboration to reach fresh ears, and an opportunity to breathe new life into fan favourites. The album, performed by a mix of personalities — including Neil Codling of Suede and, on percussion, Cass Browne of Gorillaz — incorporates the aesthetics of the original PCO, seasoned into a confident and redefined style, maintaining that quintessentially English sound, but adding a fresh direction and a sense that they are evolving into something new and very much their own.

Arthur says “it’s been really lovely to come back to these old friends — and with this re-issue we’ll be bringing them all out to play live again. Now four albums on, and with our new home at Erased Tapes, it makes a lot of sense for us to go back and pull this record out and brush it off for today”. 

The cover artwork also received an update in the shape of a beautiful photograph taken by the UK photographer and long-time collaborator Alex Kozobolis, who was sent to visit Arthur in his second home in Tuscany. Raths’ concept for this was to not only reenact the original painting by Emily Young, but to express the generational change by putting Arthur and his daughter in place of the little boy and the emperor penguin figure that suggest father and son.