Bim Sherman: Extracts from the album Miracle

Still ill. Bleurghh. But thanks for asking.

This CD is like a podcast 1996-style. No full songs, it's just one 16-minute track which combines two-minute excerpts from a few songs with interviews with Sherman himself, über producer Adrian Sherwood, and the musicians including Skip McDonald and Talvin Singh (it's not always clear which is which).

This was the first free CD that I got with The Wire — I've no idea if it was the first they did, as I only started my subscription in 1996 — and it's kind of interesting to see how the etiquette of the free giveaway has changed since then. Though Chris Anderson's Free seems to be discredited before it's even published. Nowadays custom and practice seems to be one free full track for download. Not nearly as imaginative or engaging as this.

And the clips of the Miracle are gorgeous! Not sure how I missed this originally. As the single on Sherman's subsequent album has it, it's like the music you might imagine hearing in Heaven (not the club!), along with Pavilion of Dreams. Some of the interviewees reference Nat King Cole, and if you like your reggae soft and silky, this is definitely for your. Unfortunately the album isn't available to listen to online. Some of the remixes are, however, and so is the the subsequent album. I have to admit I found them a little too sweet in large doses, but that's Heaven for you.

I had the Boy standing on my lap one time when I was listening to this, and as some of Talvin Singh's percussion came in, he grinned and started bouncing up and down. That's a first in my experience. So he can dance, even if he can't quite walk yet.

Wikipedia stub for Bim Sherman Rate Your Music entry for Miracle Listen to none of Miracle in full at Last.fm