BBC4, for those abroad who will not have the pleasure of accessing this fantastic channel, have, since their launch done a series of brilliant deconstructions on some of the most important (and sometimes underappreciated) genres of music in the world. From Folk America, to Synth Britannia, they almost always have the knack to reveal something new about music you know intimately, or have the faintest of knowledge. Filled with first hand accounts, fantastic archival footage and strong, engaging storylines, they have become the highlights of the already strong programming line-up. As this week was Latin Music week, we saw a re-run of one such example. Latin Music USA. (more…)
Last month, the fantastic Dance music resource RA reviewed some of the best mixes over of the last decade. The list (here) showed the depth and breadth of Noughties Dance Music, it’s adventuorusness and rejection of the 1990’s superclub cul-de-sac. This was a decade that bought us the filthy fashioness of Electroclash, (anyone who ever went to a Electric Stew event would attest to that) the smooth Germanic innovations of Minimal House/Techno (pioneered by Kompakt, Get Physical et al) and the re-birth of Deep House and Dalston’s blast of Underground Disco. Of all the standout tracks that these genres spawned, there is still one that stands above all others it’s a track that blended the most interesting parts of many of Deep House, Techno and Minimal, that looked back as well as being gloriously futuristic, yet outside of Dance Music’s borders, criminally overlooked. This is Where We At. (more…)
This is certainly one of the tracks (and remixes) of 2010. Baby Don’t Stop is from the prolific hand of Nu-Disco pioneer Lindstrøm and is the fantastic result of a collaboration between himself and the vocalist/lyricist Christabelle (A.K.A Solale). Their long-player Real Life Is No Cool is a prime slice of 1980’s boogie and nu-disco joy The album itself has been knocking around the producers mind for a while and came to fruition only after Christabelle took the tracks that make up Lindstrøm’s classic opus You Go Where I Go To and dropped her own vocals and lyrics over the top. A rather chaotic process ensued, but what a good one it is! (Check out this review here for full album highlights and what not)
With all that good karma knocking around, it’s no wonder Baby Don’t Stop is an absolute dancefloor monster, and not just for disco nerds or hipster dancefloors. It feels like something out of a 1980, a lost acetate from one of Quincy Jones sessions with the Brothers Johnson or George Benson. Don’t be fooled though, this is not a retro re-rub for the sake of it, the Nu-Disco groove that made Lindstrøms’ collaborations with Prins Thomas so compelling and hypnotic is still there, tight yet liquid at the same time.
It’s a great platform then for remixers of certain vintage to get their chops around, which luckily, two of the best have done, Aeroplane takes the track and bolsters it’s cosmic brushstrokes and amps them up, taking a similar approach to their awesome remix of Williams Blood by Grace Jones last year. While Aeroplane fly through the cosmos, the Idjut Boys Re-edit ramps up the groove, bending and twisting an already great dancefloor track into something that a John Morales 12″ might sound like. (More to come on this guy) It’s a track you could put on in an empty room and be pretty sure the dancefloor would be full up soon after. Good work boys. And keep an eye out for more mixes of this one, it’s got the lot.
A couple of nights ago, I witnessed another of the wonderful don’t look back series of concerts. For those that don’t know, the concerts, organized by the ATP collective, function as a forum for bands (usually of the high quality variety) to play one of their most iconic albums from end to end. It serves as a perfect platform for performers to find and discover new and interesting subtexts in their classic works. With this in mind, it seems a perfect union when talking about one of Britain’s greatest bands; Spiritualized. 1997’s Ladies And Gentleman We Are Floating In Space is rightly regarded as a classic, a magnum opus to lost love and broken hearts, as well as significant side order of drug induced stupors. All the elements were right for a special gig. It didn’t disappoint. (more…)
Everyone else is doing a best of, so why not join in the fun? Here is the best dance track of the year. The super, super deep Androids And Stardust by Brawther. If found this gorgeous slice of deep house at the start of one of the best RA Podcasts of the year, from Giles Smith, the co-founder of the consistently brilliant Secret Sundaze parties. The whole mix is a wonderful journey that only Secret Sundaze does best, super deep but highly groovy music, clever, articulate and sexy. This track set the tone for the entire mix. Buy it here…
Over the weekend I read this rather heartbreaking sign-off to the music industry from one it’s most talented, prolific and sadly under appreciated producers. Dominic Stanton, or Domu as he (was) commonly known as. In his long sign off you really get a sense that the trials and tribulations of the making music have now become too much, so with that I feel compelled to add my appreciation by shedding a little bit of light onto the album that led me to discover his work (and there is LOTS of it). His Pete Simpson collaboration Look A Little Further.(more…)
The Micheal Jackson post death juggernaut rolls on a-pace. This time Motown have raided the ‘archives’ for 12 slices of Jackson 5 material. Snappily titled “I Want You Back!” – Unreleased Masters”, it could just be another cash-in (OK, well it is) But is salvaged by this stunning interpretation of the Stevie Wonder song ‘Buttercup’, one of his less well known numbers but without a doubt one of the best. Someone got a cheeky pre-release and in their good wisdom decided to put it on YouTube. It’s such a slick groovy interpretation, with amazing harmonies underpinning Jackson’s vocal perfectly.
The late sixties were a strange time for many stars of the mid sixties rock boom. But their (relative) fall from grace more often than not provided music of a rare and beautiful delicacy. One of the lost classics in this genre within an genre is the solos ingle from Sal Valentino. The Van Dyke Parks produced Friends & Lovers’ from 1969. (more…)
Next week, Richard Hawley releases his sixth album, Trueloves Gutter The Guardian (along with some dudes called we7, no not bothering with that one either) allowed an exclusive streaming of the album, I’ve been looking forward to this one since the distinctly underwhelming (for me) Lady’s Bridge, and from the sounds of it, a bold, distinctive album is about to released into the world. (more…)
Spotify is a surprisingly good tool for crate diggers like myself. One of my most recent discoveries reinforces this point. The strange music and story of Paul Bryan and his album Listen of. (more…)
A blog about all the amazing things that our pop cultural, tech obsessed, interconnected and passionate world throws up. If it's interesting, distinctive, opinionated, or worthy of discovery it will (hopefully be here...)
