Shleep is the seventh album by Canterbury scene and progressive rock veteran and musician Robert Wyatt, released in 1997.

Shleep
Studio album by
Released26 September 1997
Recorded1996–1997
VenuePhil Manzanera's Gallery Studio, Chertsey
GenreProgressive rock, art rock, Canterbury scene, experimental rock
Length53:39
LabelHannibal, Thirsty Ear
ProducerAlfreda Benge, Brian Eno, Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt chronology
A Short Break
(1992)
Shleep
(1997)
Dondestan (Revisited)
(1998)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Pitchfork Media8.6/10[2]
Rolling Stone[3]
Uncut[4]

The album brought together a diverse range of musicians from a range of genres. After Wyatt's largely one-man recordings of the 1980s, Shleep marked a return to featuring other artistes as on his 1970s albums. The balance of his discography would follow suit. The Wire named Shleep its record of the year in its annual critics' poll.[5]

Track listing

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All tracks composed by Robert Wyatt and Alfreda Benge; except where indicated

  1. "Heaps of Sheeps" – 4:56
  2. "The Duchess" (Wyatt) – 4:18
  3. "Maryan" (Wyatt, Philip Catherine) – 6:11
  4. "Was a Friend" (Wyatt, Hugh Hopper) – 6:09
  5. "Free Will and Testament" (Wyatt, Mark Kramer) – 4:13
  6. "September the Ninth" – 6:41
  7. "Alien" – 6:47
  8. "Out of Season" – 2:32
  9. "A Sunday in Madrid" – 4:41
  10. "Blues in Bob Minor" (Wyatt) – 5:46
  11. "The Whole Point of No Return" (Paul Weller) – 1:25
  12. "September in the Rain" (bonus re-release track) – 2:31

Personnel

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  • Gary Azukx - djembe
  • Alfreda Benge - voice of the apparition, chorus
  • Philip Catherine - guitar
  • Brian Eno - synthesiser, synthesiser bass, vocal chorus
  • Jamie Johnson - guitar, chorus
  • Phil Manzanera - guitar
  • Chucho Merchan - bass guitar, double bass, bass drum, percussion
  • Evan Parker - soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
  • Charles Rees - chorus
  • Chikako Sato - violin
  • Paul Weller - guitars, harmony vocals
  • Annie Whitehead - trombone
  • Robert Wyatt - voice, keyboards, bass guitar, polish fiddle, trumpet, percussion, chorus

References

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  1. ^ Ankeny, Jason. Shleep at AllMusic
  2. ^ Pitchfork Media review
  3. ^ Rolling Stone review[dead link]
  4. ^ MacDonald, Ian (October 1997). "Truth and beauty". Uncut. No. 5. p. 86.
  5. ^ "97 Rewind: 50 Records of the Year". The Wire. No. 167. London. January 1998. p. 35 – via Exact Editions.
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