10 Seconds: Lulu Manning

1. Beverley Glenn-Copeland (Kelsey Lu’s Transportation) - Ever New (00'08" - 00'18")

"This is such an important record in my musical journey. I remember sitting in an East End cafe with a pal who played me Glenn’s music for the first time, how they were ecstatic to be the person to open the gates for me to this magical pathway… and how I’ve had a joy of being that person for others ever since. This record is testament to the far reaching spirit in Glenn’s music, with an incredible roster of artists reimagining his work. This version of Ever New by Kelsey Lu is a track that always puts a smile on my face. The bass sound that enters at 00:08 I am still obsessed with. Stick some headphones on and let it pull you in like a warm hug."

2. Ian William Craig - Before Meaning Comes (00'23" - 00'33")

"Ian William Craig’s music feels so bodily to me. It’s the fragile nature of being human etched into sound. I am deeply inspired and fascinated by his sculpting of textural soundscapes using tape machines that he layers and manipulates in various ways. The sound here is his voice through a tape machine that has been warped to only pick up fragments of the incoming audio signal - and it is absolutely beautiful.. I encourage you to play on and get lost in this dreamy world."

3. Moses Sumney - Doomed (00'05"- 00'15")

"This is a beautifully moving piece of songwriting. But the sound I adore is the crack of Sumney’s voice on the word 'tongue'. It’s absolutely fascinating and heartbreaking in a way that is just so human. I remember sitting up late at night with flatmates trying to recreate it somehow with our voices… god knows what the neighbours were thinking."

4. Bjork - It's Not Up To You (0'00" - 0'10")

"I love the sentiment of this song. It’s one I return to periodically, always there when I need it. I love this percussive opening - it’s so playful and exciting. In her podcast Sonic Symbolism (which I’d highly recommend), Björk says that she was focussed on acquiring lots of small sounds and quiet sounds to form the sonic palette for this album, something she describes as microbeats."

5. KMRU - Why Are You Here (12'10"-12'20")

"KMRU is one of the most exciting musical discoveries gifted to me last year. I am deeply inspired by his weaving of field recording with synthesis and the dreamscape he takes us to in the listening  experience. Here’s an extract from 'Why Are You Here'."

6. Azimuth - The Tunnel (4'43" - 4'53")

"Perhaps I’m romanticising my days at a London Jazz college a little by including this.. but I can’t deny the impact it still has on me when I listen to it… This 10 seconds feature a beautiful bit of out singing from the great Norma Winstone, I listened on the overground the other day and yes, I still love it."

7. Bill Evans - Peace Piece ( 3'47" - 3'57")

"This line. Hairs on the back of my neck the first time I heard it. Tension and Release. We need more peace in the world."

8. Caoimhìn Ò Raghallaigh - Big Mammoth (01'05" - 01'15")

"Caoimhìn Ò Raghallaigh plays a bespoke 12 string fiddle that is showcased here in a deep, extended resonance. I could listen to these harmonic tones all day. Beautiful stuff."

9. Robinson’s Village - By Burning This (00'00"-0'10")

"I’m a huge fan of Robinson’s Village. Here we can hear a casette tape that has been warped by burning it with a lighter, and then tuned into an otherworldly magic. Thank you to James for being so generous with his process, deeply inspiring. I would strongly encourage you to go and check out his Bandcamp page if you vibe!"

10. Anna Meredith (performed by Ligeti Quartet) - Honeyed Words (02'54" - 03'04")

"I witnessed the Manchester Collective string quartet perform this live at Southbank last year and at this very moment turned to my partner who had tears rolling down their cheeks. Beautiful. Anna Meredith is sick, and this moment is a thing of beauty."

11. Caroline Polacheck - (Last Days : Non Voglio Mai Vedere II Sole Tramontare (02'00" - 02'10")

"This style isn’t necessarily what comes to mind when someone mentions alt pop queen Caroline Polachek.. and maybe that’s exactly why I love it. Play this to any Polachek fan and watch heir jaw drop. It is sheer vocal athleticism with the beautifully indulgent theatrics of opera. She hits anF#6 to be precise. And then again. Just to show you it wasn’t a flook!" 

12. Shida Shahabi - Deep Violet of Gold (07'49" - 08'00")

"This Shida Shahabi record is something I’m still returning to with renewed joy and discovery on each listen. The build of this track featuring this growing saturation and distortion that whirls around in your mind is astonishing."

13. Brìghde Chaimbeaul - Crònan (i) (00'00" - 00'10")

"I’ve chosen this sound because for me, the sound of a set of small pipes tuning up to play just does something to me that is hard to describe. (I am Scottish after all). And who better to be playing than the incredible Brìdghe Chaimbeaul. Also a fun fact : Brìghde Chaimbeaul coincidentally played on Caroline Polachek’s last record ^^ "

14. Sarah Vaughan - All of Me (01'00" - 01'10")

"An old one now, but it still brings me so much joy. This break into her scat solo is Iconic, ask any budding jazz singer, or even begin singing it and they will join you before you get to the end of the first line haha."

15. Ganavya - El kebda, let it go (01'52"-02'02")

"Ganavya’s connection to her voice is without question a spiritual one. Seeing her perform live at St Pancras Old Church is a memory I cherish. The interplay between her vocalising and Shabaka’s flute here is so beautiful, so earnest."

16. Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) (00'20" - 00'30")

"This one to finish. Simply because as soon as I hear that first bar I know its Kitchen boogie time. Fond memories dancing with my partner in the kitchen, careful not to burn the onions x"