Daniel O’Sullivan & Richard Youngs – Persian Carpets

Second LP of duets by these longtime VHF family staples, here delivering 2 side-long epics of minimalist bliss. Both sides feature Daniel on piano and Richard on zither, with rippling waves of sound recalling classics like Charlemagne Palestines Strumming Music (Dan is a frequent collaborator with C.P.) and Richards Advent. Persian Carpets I is a real-humans performance full of tiny variants in rhythm and attack, rising and falling in intensity sometimes a rush of sound, sometimes a cloud of soft overtones and phantom notes. Persian Carpets II is more spare, with quiet and careful piano alongside Richards subdued accompaniment a gorgeous bath of pointillist sound that rewards close listening.