One of the most eclectic compilations I'm aware of is finally available again. One look at the artists represented here should be enough to convince anyone of the great worth that this now remarkably restored time capsule offers the 21st century: well done (not "corrective") remastering for the music and excellent reproduction of the original booklet. "From Brussels" provides a broad and important overview of the work by those who shaped a still underappreciated but important period in popular and new music innovation: from the Armoury Show to Eno; proto Dome to Gavin Bryars ("Hommages" era); Michael Nyman to Durutti Column; even a lovelier than the final version demo by Thomas Dolby, all bracketed by John Foxx snippets, this collection proves the whole to be far greater than the sum of its parts. The combination of work here is very particular to its time, and delightfully indifferent to genre. The result of compressing so many ideas into so small a space is seductive, alluring and worthy of countless replays thanks to the depth of ideas and devotion to an egalitarian inclusiveness. It may simply be nostalgia on my part. Or it more likely may be the broader historic and artistic awareness at work among these artists. Either way, it's a great document that has maintained its own status as an audio Objet d'art.
Track Listing
1) Jingle 1 - John Foxx
2) Airwaves - Thomas Dolby
3) Stranger
4) Children on the Hill - Harold Budd
5) Sleep Will Come - The Durutti Column
6) Music Room - Martin Hannett
7) Cat - The Names
8) Walk Through H (Reincarnation of an Ornithologist) - Michael Nyman
9) Interview / A Third Trombone - Brian Eno, Phill Niblock
10) Interview - Jeanne Moreau
11) Armoury Show - Richard Jobson
12) Shadow Garden - Bill Nelson
13) Piece for an Ideal - The Durutti Column
14) Haystack - Kevin Hewick,
15) Etrange Affinite
16) White's SS - Gavin Bryars
17) Meine Freunde - Der Plan
18) Twist Up - B.C. Gilbert, Graham Lewis
19) Jingle 2 - John Foxx