Digital Kicks 020
Hello. Welcome back to Blog Rockin' Beats (after a long, long layoff) and to a brand new, updated, revamped Digital Kicks. It's hard to believe that I am already on volume 020. Not all of the compilations / mixes have seen the light of day but I can assure you they were all lovingly put together on my laptop and saved for posterity.
Some of you may remember previous editions of Digital Kicks. The premise is pretty simple - I trawl through all of my new music each month, select my favourite tracks and present them to you sequenced and mixed with love. I have had a long think about the approach and nearly decided to change the format beginning with volume 020. But since I want to avoid trouble and potential lawsuits, I am going to continue with the same formula.
So, I have still made my way through all of my new music for this month. I have still selected and sequenced the killer tracks with love. And to help you along the way, I have written a little bit about each song so that you know more about what you are hearing.
I give to you the first Digital Kicks of 2008 and number 020 in the series.
To listen to the mix, click here to go directly to my Digital Kicks podcast page.
Enjoy the compilation!
The track listing for this month is:
01. I Still Remember - Bloc Party
02. We'll Live And Die In These Towns - The Enemy
03. Tonight The Streets Are Ours - Richard Hawley
04. You Dream In Solid Gold - Future Kings Of Spain
05. My Babe - Little Walter
06. Let Me Blow Your Mind - Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra
07. I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
08. Secret Stealth - Stealth 3
09. The Clapping Song - Shirley Ellis
10. The Preacher & The Bear - Golden Gate Quartet
11. Green Door - Wynder K Frog
12. Days Go By (Paul Oakenfold Vocal Remix) - Dirty Vegas
13. Spliffhead - Ragga Twins
14. Smile And Receive - Swayzak
15. Das Spiegal - The Chemical Brothers
16. Operation - Jamie T
17. Crumble - Dinosaur Jr
18. You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover - Bo Diddley
19. Ain't Got No One - Clarence 'Frogman' Henry
20. The Imperial March - John Williams
21. Midnight Funk Infinity - Soulphiction
22. Fragment Two (The First Picture) (Jesse Rose Instrumental Remix) - Kenneth Bager
I Still Remember - Bloc Party ¦ Vision
Bloc Party. Yer man, Kele, is a bit of a douche but I still think that the band haven't made a wrong turn. Yet. Musically, I'm a huge fan. I've even seen them live twice and they certainly don't disappoint. This mix kicks off with 'I Still Remember' from 'A Weekend In The City'. It's a song about regret. A song about what could have been. A song about lost love. And maybe, just maybe a song about two boys. I haven't quite worked that out yet. Give it a listen and judge for yourself.
We'll Live And Die In These Towns - The Enemy ¦ Vision
While I would like to give my mate, Mark, credit for introducing me to this song (he is always about 5-6 albums ahead of me when it comes to anything Indie), it was actually on 'Tom Dunne's Essential Selection 20007'. From what I know about these guys (which isn't very much) they are a bit of a slow burner. They have been touring for a while and most people who have seen them (not me) reckon they have improved a lot since the beginning. They have had their fair share of press in NME but then again what young, up-and-coming English band hasn't? And apparently the Manics really dig them. I just like this tune (even if it is the only one that I know - to date). I think I mostly like it because the singer sounds like Paul Weller and they really remind me of the Jam. And since I am too lazy to go and copy all of my Jam CDs on to my iPod, I have been listening to this tune a lot lately.
Tonight The Streets Are Ours - Richard Hawley ¦ Vision
Another artist that I know nothing about. And another tune courtesy of Mr. Dunne and his essential selection. Hawley apparently worked as a session & supporting musician for years before slowly building an audience of his own and a bit of respect from those people who claim to know something about music. This is a great song and if I am to believe what the interweb says, a departure from his normal sound. Still, if you are a bit fed up with your town or city, you will love the way he sings about getting out of 'this town' with an overflowing amount of youthful optimism. And you can never go wrong with a song that sounds like it was written by Burt Bacharach and produced by Phil Spector.
You Dream In Solid Gold - Future Kings Of Spain
I was asking a good friend of mine about these guys the other night. "Are they really princes?" "Are they from a long line of royalty?" "Are they actually Spanish?" It turns out that the answer to all of these questions is no. They are in fact Irish. And they are from Dublin. And one interesting thing about them is that they played their first ever gig in support of J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) in the The Temple Bar Music Center. So, now you know.
My Babe - Little Walter
Little Walter (Marion Walter Jacobs) started his music career as a guitarist. But he was a much better harmonica player. While trying to earn a living as a musician, he grew very frustrated because he (and his harmonica) were continuously being drowned out by electric guitars. So, he had a clever idea. He held a small microphone in his hands when he played and plugged it into an amp. Suddenly, everyone could hear him. He went on to experiment with the harmonica and developed radical new techniques and effects that had never been heard before. After joining Muddy Waters and playing on most of his hits throughout the 1950s, he started recording his own material. This song went to number one in 1955 and marked his second time at the very top of the charts.
Let Me Blow Your Mind - Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra
Cover tunes are not everybody's thang. Some may say that they require no creativity. Some may say they are used as filler or for when writer's block strikes. But others may say that they offer a chance for an artist to throw a curve ball and develop a song further by doing their own take on it. That's just what Shawn Lee did with this Eve and Gwen Stefani track. As a kid growing up in Kansas, Shawn probably stood out a bit from the crowd. His musical tastes were satiated by 70s funk and blaxploitation songs. He moved to LA as a teen and learned to play multiple instruments. Then he moved to London and recorded an album that never got released. But he perservered and eventually recorded another album called 'Monkey Boy' that was released (and applauded). Fast forward to 2004 and Shawn released the first album featuring his Ping Pong Orchestra. They wrote songs for the cinema that were inspired by classic library records. I'm not quite sure what that means but I read it on his website, so it must be true. Their third album is full of funktastic, groovilicious covers like this tune. Check him out!
I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
Etta James began singing at the age of five and never looked back. She worked hard through the 1950s, releasing several successful singles, which eventually led to her signing a recording contract with Chicago's infamous record label, Chess. One year later she released her most popular and enduring album 'At Last!', which featured six chart singles and this song. She continued singing and recording until the mid 1990s when a long-time drug problem and obesity forced her to stop. But, in fairness to her, she didn't let those problems end her career. She sorted herself out and lost an amazing fourteen stone. (Her heaviest weight was an unbelievable twenty-eight stone!) She has been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, received a Grammy Lifetime Acheivement Award and is regarded as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Secret Stealth - Stealth 3
Google 'Secret Stealth' and you will get pages and pages of hits back about bombers and fighter programs. But if you dig a little deeper you may find a bit more information about these guys. They are two English producer-DJ type boffins that have been around a while and involved in numerous different projects. One site I read describes them as being reminiscent of Kool & The Gang with their electro-funk-soul-proto-disco flavour. I have tried for days now to remember how I came across them and I have no idea. But I suppose where you get new music from isn't as important as the fact that you do, in fact, get new music. I am thrilled to have this tune. And now you can have it too!
The Clapping Song - Shirley Ellis ¦ Vision
I took this little ditty from a Chess Records compilation, even though it was recorded on the Congress label in the 1960s. Weird. Supposedly, it is a really difficult song to find on CD, so I am just happy that I managed to get my hands on it. The story goes that Shirley met Lincoln Chase in the early 1960s. He was an experienced singer and song writer. He did not have very much success at either. Still, she married him. And then, like magic, the duo started turning out the hits. 'The Clapping Song' is one of them. The lyrics sound very much like a nursery rhyme and the song was one of her last big hits, released in 1965. She subsequently retired from the music business three years later in 1968. The song has survived though. It has featured in some ads through the years and was a favourite among early Hip-Hop DJs spinning at block parties.
The Preacher & The Bear - Golden Gate Quartet
Despite their name, this quartet were actually from Norfolk, Virginia. They formed in 1934 and had several hits, including this one in 1937, that combined barbershop quartet-type arrangements with blues and jazz rhythms. This tune is about a preacher that goes hunting. After he shoots a quail and a hare, he is confronted by a bear, who chases him down the road and up a tree. Another cool little ditty with a mighty fine story to boot.
Green Door - Wynder K Frog
Although it is a cool name, Wynder is not the real name of this talented keyboard player. His parents call him Mick Weaver and he was a sessions player who was in a slew of bands in the late 60 and early 70s. By most accounts he was a bit of a master of the Hammond organ. But he seemed to have some weird obsession with frogs. His solo work consisted of albums named after frogs or that had pictures of frogs or contained songs about frogs. This particular tune is on a compilation CD that I bought in Bangkok (at a very reduced price) called 'Last Night A DJ Saved My Life'. It is the companion CD to a book of the same name and one that I have read numerous times. He may be totally obscure and unknown but this song deserves to be recognized as a true funk nugget.
Days Go By (Paul Oakenfold Vocal Remix) - Dirty Vegas
Oakie - you either love him or hate him. Lots of people hate him. Then again, he is rich and famous so lots of people must love him. After an auspicious beginning producing the Monday's killer album 'Thrills 'n' Pills...' his career has been mostly about pleasing the masses. True, he did introduce the general public to trance and has done some great remixes but most hardcore people think he spends far too much time on the wrong side of the mainstream fence. This mix (like many of his) isn't much of a stretch. OK, it's no stretch at all. He seems to have added a drum loop to the original song, thrown in a few extra vocal bits (hence the name of the track) and Bob's yer uncle. But it is still a cool song. And yes, I picked up his greatest hits CD, which is where I got this track from. And while some of his stuff is too dumb or too big or too obvious or just plain wrong, there is enough quality to please me. Especially considering the 'on sale' price I paid for the disc.
Spliffhead - Ragga Twins
Flinty Badman and Deman Rocker were a couple of MCs who decided to get together and make some dance music. They ended up creating to a sub-genre of jungle called ragga. This song was one of their big hits and was highly influential. I reckon that Goldie may have been furiously taking notes the first time he heard this track. It's also another tune lifted from the 'Last Night A DJ Saved My Life' compilation.
Smile And Receive - Swayzak
Swayzak are James Taylor and David Brown. They have been releasing deepy, dubby, techy, moody, angular house music for over ten years. Personally, I think a lot of their stuff is a bit too hectic but they do have a soft side, typified by this track. I downloaded this tune from emusic.com after coming across it accidentally. It turned out to be a great mistake.
Das Spiegal - The Chemical Brothers
Messrs Rowlands and Simons released their sixth studio album last year. Even though they may not be the Kings of Big Beat anymore, they can still pack a bit of a punch when they want to. And this tune proves it. I have not heard the entire album just yet - Paulo, I'm waiting for a copy because I know you picked it up in America! But I read the other day that some of the tunes on the album actually sample some tracks from their previous albums. That's very interesting. Either they have completely run out of ideas and are just getting lazy or they are trying to start the next trend in sample-based music: quit digging in the crates for funk and soul rarities from the 60s and 70s and just start using your own songs (which probably contain a sample of a 70s funk or soul rarity anyway).
Operation - Jamie T
Jamie T(reays) is from Wimbledon but don't let that put you off. His album 'Panic Prevention' is literally all over the shop. It ranges from punky, raw stuff to somewhat dancey-type stuff with lots of acoustic folk thrown in. He also likes to sample - everything. Lines from movies, self-help tapes and even pieces of stuff he recorded himself where he just chats to friends and family. This song is no exception and is well worth checking out.
Crumble - Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr are one of the oddest bands you could ever find yourself wanting to like. On paper they don't promise anything that great: high gain, loads of feedback, distortion, reverb and whiny, low-key singing by Mr. Mascis. And even though it shouldn't, it works. It totally works. Now, I can do without all of the distortion and feedback but every album they release contains a few tunes where Jay turns the dial down from eleven to a more reasonable number and they belt out a glorious pop tune. 'Crumble' is the lastest in a long line of those tunes. Probably my favourite tune by them since 'Feel The Pain' way back in 1994.
You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover - Bo Diddley ¦ Vision
Bo Diddley was born Ellas Otha Bates in Mississippi. There are different stories about where his stage name came from but one claims that it is from a black slang phrase meaning nothing. As in, 'he ain't bo diddley'. Although there may be uncertainty about his name, there is none about his musical ability and influence on rock 'n' roll music. He, in fact, created a style of music captured on his 1958 album 'Bo Diddley' called (originally enough) Bo Diddley Beat that used instruments to imitate the sound and rhythm of people slapping or patting their arms and legs. In 1955, he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and infuriated the host by not playing the song that he had agreed to. It didn't matter. After his performance, all of America knew who and what Bo Diddley was. He released this song in 1962, one of a long line of musical triumphs.
Ain't Got No Home - Clarence 'Frogman' Henry
What a tripped-out cat. His influence was Fats Domino. He did talent shows and wore a wig with braids. He opened about twenty concerts for the Beatles when they toured the States in 1964. He played in the Bourbon Street strip in New Orleans for nearly twenty years. And then there was his voice. Some have said it was 'freak unique'. Others probably said it was just 'freak'. But it is brilliant. He developed a trademark croak that was never better than in this song. He sings the first verse like a man, the second like a woman and the third like a frog (croak and all). It is beyond description. It is fucking brilliant. Get this tune into your life - right now!
The Imperial March - John Williams ¦ Vision
I was born in 1970. I grew up with Star Wars. I had all the toys as a kid and saw the original three films more times than you could possibly imagine. I love everything about the films. But not the new ones, just the originals. One day, while surfing emusic.com, I typed in 'Star Wars' and found this song. It's deadly, dark and evil. And it is a great seque way into the next song...
Midnight Funk Infinity - Soulphiction
Soulphiction (aka Michel Baumann) likes to release music. Since the mid 90s, he has put his own blend of hip-hop, soul and jazz on slabs of vinyl for four different labels! I downloaded this tune from emusic.com after hearing a few of his tracks on a German house compilation called Inhouse. It's quite laid back and jazzy and the vocal bit at the beginning is pretty cool. A very good warm-up record if you ever find yourself on the decks.
Fragment Two (The First Picture) (Jesse Rose Instrumental Remix) - Kenneth Bager
He's a Danish guy who used to manage a record label. Now he owns one called 'Music For Dreams'. He has an album or two knocking around and he is the force behind the Luftkastellet compilations. I reckon you have never heard of him or Luftkastellet. The compilation series is now five releases in and is one of the best kept secrets in electronic music. The name comes from a Danish night club and Mr. Bager knows how to compile music. He combines well known artists with up-and-coming ones. His selections range from eclectic to quirky. The beats range from chilled to tech-soul, passing through dubby on the way. And the best part is he doesn't mix anything! I'm not sure why but for me decent song selection and high quality don't need to be mixed. Each track can stand on it's very own. So, hat's off Mr. Bager - keep them coming!
Thanks for listening and remember to respect all of the included artists' work and talent. If you really like something, go buy it!
Kub
Some of you may remember previous editions of Digital Kicks. The premise is pretty simple - I trawl through all of my new music each month, select my favourite tracks and present them to you sequenced and mixed with love. I have had a long think about the approach and nearly decided to change the format beginning with volume 020. But since I want to avoid trouble and potential lawsuits, I am going to continue with the same formula.
So, I have still made my way through all of my new music for this month. I have still selected and sequenced the killer tracks with love. And to help you along the way, I have written a little bit about each song so that you know more about what you are hearing.
I give to you the first Digital Kicks of 2008 and number 020 in the series.
To listen to the mix, click here to go directly to my Digital Kicks podcast page.
Enjoy the compilation!
The track listing for this month is:
01. I Still Remember - Bloc Party
02. We'll Live And Die In These Towns - The Enemy
03. Tonight The Streets Are Ours - Richard Hawley
04. You Dream In Solid Gold - Future Kings Of Spain
05. My Babe - Little Walter
06. Let Me Blow Your Mind - Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra
07. I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
08. Secret Stealth - Stealth 3
09. The Clapping Song - Shirley Ellis
10. The Preacher & The Bear - Golden Gate Quartet
11. Green Door - Wynder K Frog
12. Days Go By (Paul Oakenfold Vocal Remix) - Dirty Vegas
13. Spliffhead - Ragga Twins
14. Smile And Receive - Swayzak
15. Das Spiegal - The Chemical Brothers
16. Operation - Jamie T
17. Crumble - Dinosaur Jr
18. You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover - Bo Diddley
19. Ain't Got No One - Clarence 'Frogman' Henry
20. The Imperial March - John Williams
21. Midnight Funk Infinity - Soulphiction
22. Fragment Two (The First Picture) (Jesse Rose Instrumental Remix) - Kenneth Bager
I Still Remember - Bloc Party ¦ Vision
Bloc Party. Yer man, Kele, is a bit of a douche but I still think that the band haven't made a wrong turn. Yet. Musically, I'm a huge fan. I've even seen them live twice and they certainly don't disappoint. This mix kicks off with 'I Still Remember' from 'A Weekend In The City'. It's a song about regret. A song about what could have been. A song about lost love. And maybe, just maybe a song about two boys. I haven't quite worked that out yet. Give it a listen and judge for yourself.
We'll Live And Die In These Towns - The Enemy ¦ Vision
While I would like to give my mate, Mark, credit for introducing me to this song (he is always about 5-6 albums ahead of me when it comes to anything Indie), it was actually on 'Tom Dunne's Essential Selection 20007'. From what I know about these guys (which isn't very much) they are a bit of a slow burner. They have been touring for a while and most people who have seen them (not me) reckon they have improved a lot since the beginning. They have had their fair share of press in NME but then again what young, up-and-coming English band hasn't? And apparently the Manics really dig them. I just like this tune (even if it is the only one that I know - to date). I think I mostly like it because the singer sounds like Paul Weller and they really remind me of the Jam. And since I am too lazy to go and copy all of my Jam CDs on to my iPod, I have been listening to this tune a lot lately.
Tonight The Streets Are Ours - Richard Hawley ¦ Vision
Another artist that I know nothing about. And another tune courtesy of Mr. Dunne and his essential selection. Hawley apparently worked as a session & supporting musician for years before slowly building an audience of his own and a bit of respect from those people who claim to know something about music. This is a great song and if I am to believe what the interweb says, a departure from his normal sound. Still, if you are a bit fed up with your town or city, you will love the way he sings about getting out of 'this town' with an overflowing amount of youthful optimism. And you can never go wrong with a song that sounds like it was written by Burt Bacharach and produced by Phil Spector.
You Dream In Solid Gold - Future Kings Of Spain
I was asking a good friend of mine about these guys the other night. "Are they really princes?" "Are they from a long line of royalty?" "Are they actually Spanish?" It turns out that the answer to all of these questions is no. They are in fact Irish. And they are from Dublin. And one interesting thing about them is that they played their first ever gig in support of J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) in the The Temple Bar Music Center. So, now you know.
My Babe - Little Walter
Little Walter (Marion Walter Jacobs) started his music career as a guitarist. But he was a much better harmonica player. While trying to earn a living as a musician, he grew very frustrated because he (and his harmonica) were continuously being drowned out by electric guitars. So, he had a clever idea. He held a small microphone in his hands when he played and plugged it into an amp. Suddenly, everyone could hear him. He went on to experiment with the harmonica and developed radical new techniques and effects that had never been heard before. After joining Muddy Waters and playing on most of his hits throughout the 1950s, he started recording his own material. This song went to number one in 1955 and marked his second time at the very top of the charts.
Let Me Blow Your Mind - Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra
Cover tunes are not everybody's thang. Some may say that they require no creativity. Some may say they are used as filler or for when writer's block strikes. But others may say that they offer a chance for an artist to throw a curve ball and develop a song further by doing their own take on it. That's just what Shawn Lee did with this Eve and Gwen Stefani track. As a kid growing up in Kansas, Shawn probably stood out a bit from the crowd. His musical tastes were satiated by 70s funk and blaxploitation songs. He moved to LA as a teen and learned to play multiple instruments. Then he moved to London and recorded an album that never got released. But he perservered and eventually recorded another album called 'Monkey Boy' that was released (and applauded). Fast forward to 2004 and Shawn released the first album featuring his Ping Pong Orchestra. They wrote songs for the cinema that were inspired by classic library records. I'm not quite sure what that means but I read it on his website, so it must be true. Their third album is full of funktastic, groovilicious covers like this tune. Check him out!
I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
Etta James began singing at the age of five and never looked back. She worked hard through the 1950s, releasing several successful singles, which eventually led to her signing a recording contract with Chicago's infamous record label, Chess. One year later she released her most popular and enduring album 'At Last!', which featured six chart singles and this song. She continued singing and recording until the mid 1990s when a long-time drug problem and obesity forced her to stop. But, in fairness to her, she didn't let those problems end her career. She sorted herself out and lost an amazing fourteen stone. (Her heaviest weight was an unbelievable twenty-eight stone!) She has been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, received a Grammy Lifetime Acheivement Award and is regarded as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Secret Stealth - Stealth 3
Google 'Secret Stealth' and you will get pages and pages of hits back about bombers and fighter programs. But if you dig a little deeper you may find a bit more information about these guys. They are two English producer-DJ type boffins that have been around a while and involved in numerous different projects. One site I read describes them as being reminiscent of Kool & The Gang with their electro-funk-soul-proto-disco flavour. I have tried for days now to remember how I came across them and I have no idea. But I suppose where you get new music from isn't as important as the fact that you do, in fact, get new music. I am thrilled to have this tune. And now you can have it too!
The Clapping Song - Shirley Ellis ¦ Vision
I took this little ditty from a Chess Records compilation, even though it was recorded on the Congress label in the 1960s. Weird. Supposedly, it is a really difficult song to find on CD, so I am just happy that I managed to get my hands on it. The story goes that Shirley met Lincoln Chase in the early 1960s. He was an experienced singer and song writer. He did not have very much success at either. Still, she married him. And then, like magic, the duo started turning out the hits. 'The Clapping Song' is one of them. The lyrics sound very much like a nursery rhyme and the song was one of her last big hits, released in 1965. She subsequently retired from the music business three years later in 1968. The song has survived though. It has featured in some ads through the years and was a favourite among early Hip-Hop DJs spinning at block parties.
The Preacher & The Bear - Golden Gate Quartet
Despite their name, this quartet were actually from Norfolk, Virginia. They formed in 1934 and had several hits, including this one in 1937, that combined barbershop quartet-type arrangements with blues and jazz rhythms. This tune is about a preacher that goes hunting. After he shoots a quail and a hare, he is confronted by a bear, who chases him down the road and up a tree. Another cool little ditty with a mighty fine story to boot.
Green Door - Wynder K Frog
Although it is a cool name, Wynder is not the real name of this talented keyboard player. His parents call him Mick Weaver and he was a sessions player who was in a slew of bands in the late 60 and early 70s. By most accounts he was a bit of a master of the Hammond organ. But he seemed to have some weird obsession with frogs. His solo work consisted of albums named after frogs or that had pictures of frogs or contained songs about frogs. This particular tune is on a compilation CD that I bought in Bangkok (at a very reduced price) called 'Last Night A DJ Saved My Life'. It is the companion CD to a book of the same name and one that I have read numerous times. He may be totally obscure and unknown but this song deserves to be recognized as a true funk nugget.
Days Go By (Paul Oakenfold Vocal Remix) - Dirty Vegas
Oakie - you either love him or hate him. Lots of people hate him. Then again, he is rich and famous so lots of people must love him. After an auspicious beginning producing the Monday's killer album 'Thrills 'n' Pills...' his career has been mostly about pleasing the masses. True, he did introduce the general public to trance and has done some great remixes but most hardcore people think he spends far too much time on the wrong side of the mainstream fence. This mix (like many of his) isn't much of a stretch. OK, it's no stretch at all. He seems to have added a drum loop to the original song, thrown in a few extra vocal bits (hence the name of the track) and Bob's yer uncle. But it is still a cool song. And yes, I picked up his greatest hits CD, which is where I got this track from. And while some of his stuff is too dumb or too big or too obvious or just plain wrong, there is enough quality to please me. Especially considering the 'on sale' price I paid for the disc.
Spliffhead - Ragga Twins
Flinty Badman and Deman Rocker were a couple of MCs who decided to get together and make some dance music. They ended up creating to a sub-genre of jungle called ragga. This song was one of their big hits and was highly influential. I reckon that Goldie may have been furiously taking notes the first time he heard this track. It's also another tune lifted from the 'Last Night A DJ Saved My Life' compilation.
Smile And Receive - Swayzak
Swayzak are James Taylor and David Brown. They have been releasing deepy, dubby, techy, moody, angular house music for over ten years. Personally, I think a lot of their stuff is a bit too hectic but they do have a soft side, typified by this track. I downloaded this tune from emusic.com after coming across it accidentally. It turned out to be a great mistake.
Das Spiegal - The Chemical Brothers
Messrs Rowlands and Simons released their sixth studio album last year. Even though they may not be the Kings of Big Beat anymore, they can still pack a bit of a punch when they want to. And this tune proves it. I have not heard the entire album just yet - Paulo, I'm waiting for a copy because I know you picked it up in America! But I read the other day that some of the tunes on the album actually sample some tracks from their previous albums. That's very interesting. Either they have completely run out of ideas and are just getting lazy or they are trying to start the next trend in sample-based music: quit digging in the crates for funk and soul rarities from the 60s and 70s and just start using your own songs (which probably contain a sample of a 70s funk or soul rarity anyway).
Operation - Jamie T
Jamie T(reays) is from Wimbledon but don't let that put you off. His album 'Panic Prevention' is literally all over the shop. It ranges from punky, raw stuff to somewhat dancey-type stuff with lots of acoustic folk thrown in. He also likes to sample - everything. Lines from movies, self-help tapes and even pieces of stuff he recorded himself where he just chats to friends and family. This song is no exception and is well worth checking out.
Crumble - Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr are one of the oddest bands you could ever find yourself wanting to like. On paper they don't promise anything that great: high gain, loads of feedback, distortion, reverb and whiny, low-key singing by Mr. Mascis. And even though it shouldn't, it works. It totally works. Now, I can do without all of the distortion and feedback but every album they release contains a few tunes where Jay turns the dial down from eleven to a more reasonable number and they belt out a glorious pop tune. 'Crumble' is the lastest in a long line of those tunes. Probably my favourite tune by them since 'Feel The Pain' way back in 1994.
You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover - Bo Diddley ¦ Vision
Bo Diddley was born Ellas Otha Bates in Mississippi. There are different stories about where his stage name came from but one claims that it is from a black slang phrase meaning nothing. As in, 'he ain't bo diddley'. Although there may be uncertainty about his name, there is none about his musical ability and influence on rock 'n' roll music. He, in fact, created a style of music captured on his 1958 album 'Bo Diddley' called (originally enough) Bo Diddley Beat that used instruments to imitate the sound and rhythm of people slapping or patting their arms and legs. In 1955, he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and infuriated the host by not playing the song that he had agreed to. It didn't matter. After his performance, all of America knew who and what Bo Diddley was. He released this song in 1962, one of a long line of musical triumphs.
Ain't Got No Home - Clarence 'Frogman' Henry
What a tripped-out cat. His influence was Fats Domino. He did talent shows and wore a wig with braids. He opened about twenty concerts for the Beatles when they toured the States in 1964. He played in the Bourbon Street strip in New Orleans for nearly twenty years. And then there was his voice. Some have said it was 'freak unique'. Others probably said it was just 'freak'. But it is brilliant. He developed a trademark croak that was never better than in this song. He sings the first verse like a man, the second like a woman and the third like a frog (croak and all). It is beyond description. It is fucking brilliant. Get this tune into your life - right now!
The Imperial March - John Williams ¦ Vision
I was born in 1970. I grew up with Star Wars. I had all the toys as a kid and saw the original three films more times than you could possibly imagine. I love everything about the films. But not the new ones, just the originals. One day, while surfing emusic.com, I typed in 'Star Wars' and found this song. It's deadly, dark and evil. And it is a great seque way into the next song...
Midnight Funk Infinity - Soulphiction
Soulphiction (aka Michel Baumann) likes to release music. Since the mid 90s, he has put his own blend of hip-hop, soul and jazz on slabs of vinyl for four different labels! I downloaded this tune from emusic.com after hearing a few of his tracks on a German house compilation called Inhouse. It's quite laid back and jazzy and the vocal bit at the beginning is pretty cool. A very good warm-up record if you ever find yourself on the decks.
Fragment Two (The First Picture) (Jesse Rose Instrumental Remix) - Kenneth Bager
He's a Danish guy who used to manage a record label. Now he owns one called 'Music For Dreams'. He has an album or two knocking around and he is the force behind the Luftkastellet compilations. I reckon you have never heard of him or Luftkastellet. The compilation series is now five releases in and is one of the best kept secrets in electronic music. The name comes from a Danish night club and Mr. Bager knows how to compile music. He combines well known artists with up-and-coming ones. His selections range from eclectic to quirky. The beats range from chilled to tech-soul, passing through dubby on the way. And the best part is he doesn't mix anything! I'm not sure why but for me decent song selection and high quality don't need to be mixed. Each track can stand on it's very own. So, hat's off Mr. Bager - keep them coming!
Thanks for listening and remember to respect all of the included artists' work and talent. If you really like something, go buy it!
Kub
Labels: Digital Kicks
posted by Kub at 23:00
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