And now I have the pleasure of reviewing two of my favourite internet musicians in one combination, a Alderman and Jim-n-Lisa joint, as it were. I feel like I've known Alderman since forever but - silly - that cannot be the case. I first met him a year or so ago on another site and reviewed his Glimpse of Wonderland track. two things about him appealed to me; he was a crusty old fart like yours truly and who can resist that and he made some very mature music to boot. I haven't liked everything the man has done, but he's done better than most at keeping me entertained.

I noticed Jim-n-Lisa and Leif (aka Alderman) were getting on like a house on fire and kinda wondered what the outcome would be. I got a taste of it first with the superlative work of art that we know as 'Into The Light', a rock chewing, fire blowing, monster track set on fire by some blistering sax licks courtesy of Mr Jimbob Charley Boy of Scrawny Neck TX. It was the first time I think I'd ever really heard Alderman himself rock out too, and it was this combination that made Into The Light irrisistable.

Diamond Dust brings another ace to an already loaded deck with Lisa making a vocal appearance, her voice being the ideal counterpoint to this very surprising track. Not at all what it appears to be at first, even when you know the artists work as intimately as I do, Diamond Dust surprised me time after time. It has odd rhythms, odd style stances and some even odder structural movements but, damnit, it works soooooo beautifully. From the excellent lyrics to the inspired arrangement, Diamond Dust is yet another extremely compelling track from both these artists. Inventive, elusive and very, very entertaining; someday all collabs will sound like this

A Must Have.

Steve Gilmore

Jimbo, Lief, you really didn't need to send me a naked lady, I'd have reveiwed this anyway. So, I stuck her away for further scrutiny (and a bit of how's yer father) so now lets get to the business at hand. Pond Surfers is a collaboration between the artist called Alderman and Jim Miller (of Jim-n-Lisa), both of whome have been very special artists to me for a long time. I seem to have known Leif (Alderman) forever and Jim has become one of my favourite Soundclick flavours in whatever guise he seems to adopt. The story behind this track is about a 1954 Conn 'Naked Lady' saxaphone that Jim rescued and restored which has since become one of his trademark sounds.

Come on, you don't seriously think they would send me a naked lady, did you?

On the face of it, a collaboration between the musical style of Alderman (electronica, dancey) and the edgy, dark alternative indie that Jim-n-Lisa produce doesn't seem feasible but that's before you hear it. Although I've come across them in various combinations, I've only ever reviewed one Pond Surfer track: Excursion (October 2005). Although I always appreciate the density of ideas and the sheer musical nous of both these guys, for me the track was just a bit too new age-y in feel but there was no disputing the style and expertise on display. It goes without saying that I expected a lot more from this track...especially since it features a bassline from yet another old friend and well known internet face, Steve Worswick aka Square Bear

It's easy to spot the bassline in question, especially if you are familiar with Square Bears work and it can only be Jimbo on the tooter so is the lead guitar work courtesy of Alderman? Not at all the track I was expecting, Naked Lady is an almost chaotic but sublime romp into jazz fusion and one I found much to my taste. Central character is, of course, el saxo and it fully deserves the spotlight. I've always made a big thing about Jim's saxplaying and on this outing he shows exactly why he is The Man, the sound, the phrasing, the tone all shout 'fekkin listen to me!' and you do. It helps that the musical backing is edgy AND soft and that is no mean trick, and that some of the most inventive sections where truly splendid. I am, however, tremendously biased and I feel it only fair to mention it. Nonetheless, if you want to hear some music with balls and style, this'll be that bad boy. Oh, btw, it is REALLY good to hear Square Bear again because it's been a while.

Months of pleasure. Recommended.