The Voluntary Butler Scheme: Exclusive free track + video ahead of album release

The Voluntary Butler Scheme: Exclusive free track + video ahead of album release

New album 'Grandad Galaxy' released 18th July 2011 on Split Records

When The Voluntary Butler Scheme recently declared that the intention behind his latest album was "to blend all the different types of music I've been making together," it seemed like a fairly insurmountable task - this is an act known for producing everything from Motown soul to J-Pop via Mark Mothersbaugh-style poptronica.

The Voluntary Butler Scheme: 'The Grandad Galaxy' + video

But Grandad Galaxy is truly a musical cabinet of curiosities, bursting at the seams with strange sounds, melodies, effects and songs. Part instrumental, it follows the direction that the 'Scheme, aka Dudley-based bedroom-pop architect Rob Jones, has been headed in from debut LP At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea via the recent cut-and-paste Chevreul EP.

Joining Rob on the album are Welsh singer-songwriter Sweet Baboo on saxophone plus Rob's girlfriend on sampled vocals for Do The Hand Jive.

"I asked her to make up a tune on the spot, a cappella, recorded it on my iPhone and used that as a sample on the chorus," says Rob, who also enlisted his mum to say random words on the same tune.

Get the brand new track Yo Yo Star (not featured on the album) for free below:

Since releasing the first album, The Voluntary Butler Scheme have toured the UK with Adam Green, received personal plaudits from Madness singer Suggs and signed a US deal with influential indie Park The Van.

Jones has seen his tracks pop up in such varied places as Grey's Anatomy, a Dell ad, Eastenders and, er, Countryfile. "Living in Dudley, you defo don't imagine your life will ever come in to contact with the telly," says Jones. "In a small way it has, and I just find it hilarious."

The Voluntary Butler Scheme - Yo-Yo Star video:

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