Rain Before Seven… Limited Petrol Green Vinyl LP

Coloured vinyl repress ofPenguinCafealbum Rain Before Seven A sense of optimism infusesPenguinCafes fifth studio album, not the braggadocious, overconfident kind, but more a blithe, self-effacing optimism in keeping with the national character. Even when all signs point to the contrary, it operates within the certainty that things are going to be alright. Probably.

The title comes from an old weather proverb with the rhyming prognostication fine before eleven hinting at a happy ending, irrespective of the science: I found it in a book and I’d never heard it before, says Arthur Jeffes, leader ofPenguinCafe. It has faintly optimistic overtones and I quite like it. It’s fallen out of usage recently but it does describe English weather patterns coming in off the Atlantic.

From the widescreen reverie of opener Welcome to London with its cheeky nod to Morricone to Goldfinch Yodel, the self-described Maypole banger at the denouement, theres a welcome sense of sanguinity, always with an undercurrent of exotic rhythmic exuberance. Playfulness pervades, with a titular nod to A Matter of Life… from 2011, the last album title that concluded with an ellipsis. ThatPenguinCafedebut is the bridge between the legendaryPenguinCafeOrchestra, led by Arthurs father Simon Jeffes, and the much- loved descendent, led by Arthur.

Stylistically it’s really satisfying to get back to playful rhythms and instruments, says the younger Jeffes, who kept the groups debut from 12 years ago in mind when writing the new album. Certainly when starting out, I became aware that wed stopped using quite a few of the textures that had been there at the beginningand it was certainly there in my dad’s earlier stuff. So there’s a lot of balafon and textures from completely different parts of the world, musically and geographically: ukuleles, cuatros and melodicas that you can hear.

Encouraged by co-producer Robert Raths, the rhythmic elements of Rain Before Seven… have never been more to the fore and, at times, even hint at the electronic. Find Your Feet, for instance, is underpinned with more than just a pulse. Mixed by Tom Chichester-Clark, it brings to the musical melange what Arthur describes as a near electronic feel. He adds, excitedly: There are elements of fun here which we haven’t really done with the last three records. Another ebullient highlight is In Re Budd, dedicated to the late ambient godfather Harold Budd, who Arthur discovered had died on the day hed been writing the celebratory ear worm with a deceptively tricky syncopation. Played on an upright piano with some prepared felt to accentuate the bounce, Jeffes feels a track with an Afro CubanCafevibe would appeal to Budds contrariness.

Tracklist:

1. Welcome to London
2. Temporary Shelter from the Storm
3. In Re Budd
4. Second Variety
5. Galahad
6. Might Be Something
7. No One Really Leaves
8. Find Your Feet
9. Lamborghini 754
10. Goldfinch Yodel