About this item

First released in 2004 under the pseudonym ‘Phynix’, Primal Prayer’s 8 tracks are a wildly creative fusion of jazz, world, dance and classical influences. Sonically the album is almost without comparison, a life-affirming acknowledgement of the many paths we humans walk to enable us to open our hearts and lives to each other.

The black double vinyl includes a personal note from Romy (The xx) on the back sleeve, and it features ‘La Vita’, as sampled by Romy in her single ‘Enjoy Your Life’ earlier this year.

Primal Prayer is part of a series of reissues and special releases of Glenn-Copeland’s catalogue, including most recently Beverly Copeland and Beverly Glenn-Copeland. Previous releases include a reissue of his career-defining record Keyboard Fantasies, and a reworked version of the album including reimaginations from the likes of Bon Iver, Arca and Blood Orange, plus an anthology and live album. Both originally released in the 70’s these two out of print works have become widely sought after by collectors. Revered as modern jazz-folk masterpieces, they have been remastered and re-cut for release by Guy Davie.

Glenn-Copeland began his musical career in the 1960s, when he studied classical singing at Montreal's McGill University and performed at Expo 67. A pair of self-titled, multi-genre albums released in the early '70s showcased his powerful voice and songwriting talent. In 1986, while living in rural Ontario, Glenn-Copeland taught himself to use digital synthesis and recorded the album that would ultimately alter the entire course of his career. At the time, he self-released Keyboard Fantasies via a 200-copy cassette run, selling just a handful while the rest waited in storage. In 2015, a Japanese record collector emailed Glenn-Copeland about selling the remainder; a new generation had unearthed his art. The music spread globally, and a few years later, in his 70s, Glenn-Copeland embarked on his first European tour to share his songs with live audiences, a journey captured in Posy Dixon's 2019 documentary Keyboard Fantasies.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: A singular, unparalleled, post-millennium classic; a cauldron of influences guided by operatic vocal and lush, cinematic soundscapes. There's both a spiritual and funky element constantly battling for attention. Immersive and elegant it's a masterpiece of world fusion.

TRACK LISTING

1. La Vita
2. Back To Bachland
3. Heaven In Your Heart
4. On The Road
5. This Side Of Grace
6. Primal Prayer
7. Between The Veils
8. A Song And Many Moons
9. In The Image
10. A Little Talk