Published on October 31st, 2023 | by Phil

Phil and Tim release Triple Vinyl Box Set

On 24 November, BFD/The Orchard will release a limited edition vinyl box set collecting together the recordings from renowned Kiwi singer-songwriter Tim Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House) and legendary guitarist and producer Phil Manzanera (ROXY Music)’s ambitious lockdown collaboration.

In addition to the two albums Caught By The Heart and The Ghost Of Santiago, released in 2021 and 2022 respectively, the vinyl box set includes a third album of five previously unreleased songs. Of these new songs, ‘Viento en Popa’ will be made available digitally on 24 November.

‘Viento en Popa’ is a Spanish phrase that literally means ‘having the wind in your sail’ and a metaphor for being ‘on a roll, optimistic’. The track is sung in English and has the refrain in Spanish and is a good example of the many tracks that Tim and Phil wrote combining the two languages with a Latin feel.

Although started at the beginning of the project, along with all the previously released songs, the five tracks on the third LP were only finished this year.

Tim and Phil’s collaboration began in late 2020. Over a nine-month period during the pandemic-restricted life, each worked in their home studios some 12,000 miles apart, writing over 20 songs, finding the time and space of a pandemic-restricted life leading to an incredible period of artistic creativity. There was no end goal in sight, just the sheer pleasure of two old friends making music together.

To augment the incredibly diverse and multi-genre songs they crafted, Tim and Phil drafted in 20 musicians representing 12 countries, across four continents, spanning seven decades, from teenagers to people in their 70s to these incredibly diverse and multi-genre songs.

The resulting albums, Caught By The Heart and The Ghost Of Santiago,both comprise of 10 songs each. These songs cover a range of styles and genres: Latin, rock, pop, prog, reggae, classical and chamber orchestra pieces, all drawn from Phil’s extensive musical palette, inspired by his love of music regardless of where it comes from. This coupled with Tim’s uniquely observed lyrics – as well as the phenomenal range of international guest musicians -resulted in two sophisticated, shapeshifting albums and remarkable collaborations.

Upon release both albums were lauded, between them receiving 4-star reviews in The Times, MOJO, Record Collector and Classic Rock, and Caught By The Heart featuring in the Mail on Sunday’s Top 10 albums of 2021.

Of their successful collaboration, Phil said:

“It has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my recorded career to work with Tim Finn. The collaboration has produced a flurry of tracks that combine everything I like about lyrics and musicality. Each track is different, genre fluid, and they all have a very personal touch lyrically, as well as being set in unique musical contexts, many using modern Latin grooves.”

Of the five new tracks, Tim said:

“These five tracks are for me filled with unity and love, sixteen people in their ‘lockdown’ bubbles, separated by thousands of miles, by language and customary practice, joining together to play and sing from the heart. For me they have an unforced and even gentle effect. But don’t lack for musical detail and emotional truth. I love them: from a song for the roadies that Phil and I and all musicians are forever grateful to, a plea for some calm waters in the midst of yet another global storm, a cry to our menfolk to always listen to a woman, a song of praise to all the fellow travellers, especially the quiet ones, and finally ‘Dominoes’, a response to those first heartbreaking photos that came through from Bergamo, Italy.”

Pre Order Here

Tracklistings:

Side 1:

1. Mambo! Salsa!…

2. The Cry Of The Earth

3. Caught By The Heart

4. La Ruleta De La Fortuna

5. All That’s Human

Side 2:

1. Malecón

2. Bajo Luz Distinta

3. Galleon Of Stars

4. Vamos Despacio

5. La Musica Del Tiempo

Side 3:

1. Space Cannibal

2. Our Love

3. Llanto

4. The Ghost of Santiago

5. Esperando La Caida

Side 4:

1. Costeño

2. Rosemullion Head

3. Mal Sueño

4. Falling Asleep

5. Curtain Call

Side 5:

1. Save You

2. Smooth Sailing

3. Escucha a un a mujer

Side 6:

1. Hello Fellow Travellers

2. Dominoes

Caught By The Heart and The Ghost of Santiago were produced by Phil Manzanera and Tim Finn and recorded by all the musicians in the UK, Germany, Colombia and New Zealand and mastered at Abbey Road. The five bonus tracks were produced by Phil, Tim and Mike Boddy.

Pre Order Here