Fabulous/Arabia, Unlimited Buffet (2011)

Lawrence Arabia hasn’t put a foot wrong if you ask me – and this collaboration album is a charming side-step that isn’t really too wildly divertive from his solo albums. There’s a more pronounced feeling of groove, sure. And I continue to hear this as being on a line with some of Steely Dan’s work, subversive lyrics, the tongue-in-chic approach. In 2012 it was released on vinyl, a limited pressing – 200 copies, numbered. I have number seven. It’s nice to have. And nice to play. And though it’s not my favourite work from Mr Milne (aka Lawrence) it’s up there. Some days it’s good enough to be the best and every other day it’s a reminder of just how good his very best stuff is. He’s one of our great talents here in New Zealand. Perhaps our best new songwriter currently working. And Mr Fabulous deserves plenty of credit for what he brings to the party. The party for a start. It’s very clear he brought that to this mix.

Sample Track: The Ballad Of State Highway 1

The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown