Italian troubadour Antonio Vitale works under the name Jester at Work but there’s little point in trying to muddy the waters with humour here. As the title suggests, a lo-fi affair (in fact recorded on a four-track Fostex recorder), Vitale has captured his own sound at its barest, while politely reminding the modern world that good music predates technology. Good music with moral fibre? Impressive!
In his stony Italian drawl, JAW could sound enlightened in voicing even the silliest of lyrics. Thankfully, though, he presents no such troubles. Beneath a downwards-spiralling acoustic riff, Vitale voices the stillness and distant heat of the Egyptian desert on “Sphinx”. Later, there’s a believable intensity to “I’m on Fire”, with Vitale’s voice once again creating the illusion that the listener is encountering some form of Biblical sage.
A little improvised percussion is a nice touch on “A Brand New Motorbike”, which somehow makes every other driving song seem weak. However, nothing prepares you for “Invisible Man”. Led by an entirely different voice, this track could well be the soundtrack to mental breakdown. “Radiolove Parade ‘76” ends the album in suitable lo-fi character.
Now and then, an album of reluctant genius passes by. It’d be a shame if more people didn’t get to hear the music of Jester At Work. “Lo-Fi, Back to Tape” will be greatly valued by anyone who treasures the art of the singer-songwriter.