The Cairo Gang

Probably best known for their work with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy more than their own recordings, Emmet Kelley and his co-conspirators The Cairo Gang have been making quietly refined folk pop since 2006, slipping out a 7" last year on Empty Cellar that was rather unfortunately missed out on by the masses. Returning to the Cellar for a full length, Kelly and the Gang have crafted a fine record that should most certainly not be slept on. Kelly's singular voice anchors the bulk of the material and its just as idiosyncratic and heartbreaking as that of his oft-collaborator Oldham. As for what backs his pipes; the record is stocked with hushed, still moments that creak with back porch sincerity and lushly produced numbers that are full of pop swing and delicate nuance and even a swell of guitar growl or two. Empty Cellar has a knack for finding those records that are unusual jewels in a sea of trends and imitations and its these sorts of records that wind up on collector's dockets years down the road as highly sought after grails. Made all the more special is the care and detail of packaging that's gone into The Corner Man, with heavy paste on sleeves and a fine grain, letter-pressed OBI strip. Gotta say I'm always a sucker for a really nice package and this is certainly that.

Listen:


Support the artist. Buy it: HERE