'The Unfairground' shines with a calm allure
Kevin Ayers
The Unfairground (Gigantic)
ESSENTIAL "Baby Come Home"
A key figure of the seminal band Soft Machine and Britain's Canterbury scene, Kevin Ayers is cited as a founding father of psychedelia. But Ayers left free-form for song form long ago, later retreating to the life of a recluse in southern France. Nudged out of retirement, the singer-guitarist has returned with "The Unfairground," his first album in 15 years and best in more than three decades. He calls it "people-to-people music that goes well with wine," and indeed, the 10 songs here sound like they were borne by a circle of friends playing in the front room. Arrangements of guitars, horns, and strings are brightened by new admirers from the Ladybug Transistor, Teenage Fanclub, and Architecture in Helsinki, and seasoned by old pals Robert Wyatt, Hugh Hopper, and Phil Manzanera. Ayers's reflective songs shine with a calm allure, his accommodating baritone and off-center melodies lifting the world-weary lyrics until they sound almost cheery. Mariachi-style horns and a sweet duet with Bridget St. John shape "Baby Come Home" into a lush romantic ode. Other standouts include the lively baroque pop of "Walk on Water," the heralding horns of "Cold Shoulder," and "Brainstorm" with its chilling groove. [Tristram Lozaw] 