Returning to one of my favourite chill-out musicians out there, Arthur Jeffes and his Penguin Cafe. And we're returning in more ways than one; in April, the first Penguin Cafe album A Matter of Life got a re-release. Titled A Matter of Life... 2021, this new version is completely remastered and features a brand new recording titled Harry Piers.

The album itself is already a celebration of Arthur's father Simon Jeffes and his Penguin Cafe Orchestra, but the inclusion of Harry Piers makes it even more poignant – it was composed by Arthur for his father's funeral. Though it has been part of Penguin Cafe's live performances ever since, as far as I know this is the first ever studio recording of the piece.

Also new from the original release is the brand new cover art. The original version featured Emily Young's (Arthur's mother) painting of an Emperor penguin with a small boy (representing Simon and Arthur) – and the new version recreates the scen with Arthur in his penguin attire holding his daughter.

Though the themes highlighted here are more sombre, the album is every bit as feel-good and chill as you'd expect. As I mentioned with the original release, the tribute-nature of A Matter of Life makes it the most Penguin Cafe Orchestra sounding of Arthur Jeffes' Penguin Cafe albums.

And, as a final note, as the one often called by my friends as 'the Finnish penguin' – who also is a coffee aficionado – I absolutely have to highlight this track:

Seriously, if you like to wind down with some calm, chill melodies, I recommend getting the album.