Marc Almond - The Velvet Trail (2015)

Legendary British pop stylist Marc Almond considered 2010’s ultra-personal Variete to be his swan song from songwriting. His ensuing albums proved true to this claim. However, composer/producer Chris Braide (who’s worked with Lana Del Rey, Sia, and Britney Spears) sent Almond three tunes to which the elder statesman wrote lyrics and added vocals. The duo worked transcontinentally until the 16-track album (12 songs and four brief instrumental passages) was completed, not meeting in person until things were finished. Almond sounds timeless (“Pleasure’s Wherever You Are”), even recharged from the challenge of bringing words to someone else’s music.

TRACKLIST
01. Act One (Instrumental) (0:50)
02. Bad to Me (4:22)
03. Zipped Black Leather Jacket (3:57)
04. Scar (3:42)
05. Pleasure's Wherever You Are (4:27)
06. Act Two (Instrumental) (0:48)
07. Minotaur (4:29)
08. Earthly (4:22)
09. The Pain of Never (4:14)
10. Demon Lover (3:25)
11. Act Three (Instrumental) (1:08)
12. When the Comet Comes (feat. Beth Ditto) (3:40)
13. Life in My Own Way (4:08)
14. Winter Sun (4:00)
15. The Velvet Trail (5:50)
16. Finale (Instrumental) (1:09)