John Martyn, Outside In. Initially a very successful folk music performer in the ridiculously talented UK scene of the late 1960's, he morphed into a kind of jazz fusion sonic explorer for a few years in the mid 70's. Sadly no longer with us, he lived the rock n' roll lifestyle a little too much for his own good. Whenever I think of what it would be like to exist in 4d, this kind of music (along with Weather Report) springs instantly to mind. He was a one man effects pedal maestro, his use of echoplex delay pedals made even the most straightforward riff just kind of ring out into space. Psychedelic, impressionistic, instinctive; he chose a path that none of his peers could have expected.
Island Records founder Chris Blackwell allowed Martyn complete artistic freedom to make what he wanted, and boy did he oblige! I include a live version of Outside In as well, so you can hear his mastery of the guitar and completely fearless approach to improvisation. Blackwell said his early morning (5am) recording session with Martyn for the epic classic Small Hours ranked as the most incredible moment of his recording career, and this is the man who signed Bob Marley saying this! He pretty much invented ambient music, you can even hear a flock of geese caught in quieter moments of the recording. It perfectly captures the vibes of an all-nighter gently swinging into the dawn, what we used to call the "morning glory". The stillness of the hour is eerie to behold, I think that's why it's also the optimum time to pray. Small Hours is kinda like a prayer to the dawn.
A true innovator, without John Martyn there'd be no Portishead that's for sure.
I'll include that track also, though it's hard to pick favourites from his considerable back catalogue. Thank god for music though, emotionally I'd be lost without it, it helps keep me sane in this wicked world.