The High Llamas’ classic 90s output comes back to lifeavailable to independent retailers on vinyl for the firsttime in over twenty years. The vibrant and colourfulsweep of this remarkable six-album arc shines in newpressings of the original masters, including the first-ever vinyl pressing for their debut album, ‘SantaBarbara’.The High Llamas were founded by Sean O’Hagan(emerging from a high-flying eight year run withMicrodisney), Jon Fell, Marcus Holdaway and RobAllum. Special note should be made of the work ofCharlie Francis throughout the creation of the firstthree albums. As engineer / backing vocalist / synthplayer / and co-producer, his long hours of dedicationand commitment earned him the title of honorary HighLlama.After the high times and critical mass arrangements ofthe previous two records, ‘Snowbug’ exuded a breezy,spare, morning-after vibe. Edified by all manner ofworld-folk, classic Brazilian pop and the first volumesof the ‘Ethiopiques’ comp, the Llamas recorded inLondon with Fulton Dingley and in Chicago with BundyK. Brown and Jim O’Rourke engineering at ElectricalAudio and John McEntire mixing at Soma. ‘Snowbug’is an understated, underrated gem.
