El Hombre Trajeado - Moonunit Manual: The Best Of El Hombre Trajeado (2016)

Guitarist R M Hubbert co-founded the Glasgow-based band El Hombre Trajeado in 1995 alongside bassist Stevie Jones and drummer Stef Sinclair, with Hubbert serving as the primary guitarist and occasional vocalist. The group emerged from the city's vibrant DIY music scene, blending post-rock elements with experimental and lo-fi influences, to create a distinctive sound characterized by intricate guitar work and atmospheric textures. They first came to my attnetion with the inclusion of their 'Neoprene' on the 4-track 7" compilation EP 'Glasgow', which was one of a series of sampler records for various towns throughout the UK. That was just the start of the band's decade-long active period, during which they released three full-length albums that showcased their evolving style. Their debut, 'Skipafone', arrived in 1998 via Guided Missile Records, featuring raw, instrumental-driven tracks that established their post-rock foundation. This was followed by 'Saccade' in 2001 on Human Condition, which incorporated more dynamic rhythms and subtle vocal elements from Hubbert. The trilogy concluded with 'Shlap' in 2004 through Lost Dog Recordings, a release that refined their sound with greater emphasis on Hubbert's flamenco-infused guitar techniques amid the band's noisy, improvisational ethos. Hubbert's contributions as guitarist were central to the band's identity, often driving the compositions with looping, repetitive motifs that evoked both tension and release, hallmarks of the burgeonng post-rock genre, and the band built a dedicated local following through relentless touring and cassette releases in the mid-1990's, fostering a cult status within Glasgow's underground circuit. El Hombre Trajeado disbanded in 2005 after a final spate of performances, marking the end of their original run, although the band did later reunite for select gigs in 2015, which then led to them reforming and releasing their fourth album, 'Fast Diagonal', on Chemikal Underground Records.  Although the band rarely toured, they supported artists such as Nick Cave, Sebadoh, Tortoise, Mike Watt and The Delgados around the UK, and they also recorded three radio sessions for John Peel on BBC Radio One between 1998 and 2001, and yet they are a completely unknown quantity to most people. I'm hoping that this sampler of some of their best work will introduce them to a new fanbase, who will then explore the rest of their catalogue. 

Track listing

01 Neoprene (from the 'Glasgow' EP 1998)
02 Dos (from 'Saccade' 2001)
03 Like Quicksand (from 'Skipafone' 1998)
04 Syncopatio (from 'Shlap' 2004)
05 Tracky B (John Peel session 2001)
06 Darkest Sea (feat. Ela Orleans) (from 'Fast Diagonal' 2016)
07 Logo (from 'Skipafone' 1998)
08 Warm Down (from 'Shlap' 2004)
09 Diary Extract (John Peel session 1998)
00 Dylar (from 'Saccade' 2001)
11 Do It Puritan! (feat. Sue Tompkins) (from 'Fast Diagonal' 2016)
12 Moonunit Manual (b-side of 'Logo' single 1997)
13 Skipafone (from 'Skipafone' 1998)
14 Redial (John Peel session 2001)
15 Saccade (from 'Saccade' 2001)
16 Kayak Building (from 'Shlap' 2004)
17 Sleep Deep (from 'Skipafone' 2001)
18 Double Blind (from 'Saccade' 2001)