Song of the day: Friday, November 6, 2009

“Embers” – Just Jack

From the 2009 LP – All Night Cinema

Jack Allsopp from North London; an amateur breakdancer, DJ, holder of a degree in Furniture Design, once a flower arranger, gardener, cleaner and then studio hand at RGRecords where he handed his demo to the owner Carl “Chas” Smith the ex- Madness singer & dancer. Allsopp loved all forms of black music; rap, dance, soul and funk and his cheeky Englishness take on these genres make his album fun, toe tappy, catchy and top pop filled. Just Jack sits, I think right in-between the very cheeky Lily Allen and the socially adept Mike Skinner of The Streets.

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Happy Friday

I will be away for 3 weeks and giving up the SOTD reign to the very capable; both creatively and musically to Master Mike John Peters who will fill your SOTD needs:

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Song of the day: Thursday, November 5, 2009

“Yes We Can Can” – Pointer Sisters

From their self titled debut 1973 LP – Pointer Sisters

The debut album from June, Bonnie and Anita Pointer gained a lot of positive feedback when this was released. I could have selected many of their big hits; “Neutron Dance”, “Jump, (For My Love)” or “I Am So Excited” but this album is quite diverse, with some funk, soul and even jazz standard-esque numbers on it. From an upbringing where there mother only allowed gospel music into the house as rock n roll and blues was regarded as devil music. When June brought home a copy of the Elvis Presley record All Shook Up, she was surprised that her mother allowed her to play it, until discovering that her mother had been pacified by the song “Crying in the Chapel” on the “B” side of the record. They formed a band, toured as backing vocalists and signed on to Atlantic Records and after recording educational music for Sesame Street, their live performances on TV to enthusiastic crowds.

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Song of the day: Wednesday, November 4, 2009

“Blackie’s Dead” – Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson

From the 2009 LP – Break Up

I am not sure if it was happenstance that Pete Yorn is a friend of the 3rd most beautiful woman in Hollywood, Scarlett Johansson (Salam Hayek and Monica Bellucci are 1 & 2) or that Yorn values her musical talent or that he is trying to re-create a Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot sound or is it a marketing ploy to cash in on well a hungry for Hollywood audience; albeit way to mainstream for Yorn quiet musicianship. Well probably all of the above. Though, what he has created is a pleasurable album that with the aid of Johansson’s waify vocals does add a touch of completeness. Even though her vocals were recorded in just 2 afternoon sessions, long after Yorn had completed the tracks. They have appeared live in studio and television to very favourable reviews although the album is receiving mixed reviews.

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Song of the day: Tuesday, November 3, 2009

“Making Plans For Nigel” – XTC

From the 1979 LP – Drums And Wires

Quite simply XTC were the smartest, catchiest, and highly critically acclaimed bands to emerge out of the late 70’s. They could have been massive, gone on to greater things. And from their records alone, you would have thought why haven’t I heard more of these guys? Andy Partridge co-founder, singer and guitarist  in 1982 after suffering a collapse due to exhaustion and collapsing a 2^nd time due to a stomach ulcer, Partridge stated he would never play live again, blaming the collapse to stage fright. Since then they have only recorded studio albums and a handful of studio live & TV performances. Since their live hiatus; they obviously dwindled from the public eye, fighting with their record label and even though lack of commercial success their music continued to be “bright, occasionally melancholy, melodies flow with more grace than most bands” but maintaining true artful pop songs maybe due to being out of the music machine.. Is XTC the great lost pop band? I have included a favourite for the SOTD; but there are other superb offerings: “Wonderland”, “Ten Feet Tall”, “Ball And Chain” “General And Majors”, and “Love On A Farmboy’s Wages” to name a few. Explore for yourself.

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Song of the day: Monday, November 2, 2009

“Laughing All The Way To The Plank” – Elle Milano

From the 2008 LP – Acres Of Dead Space Cadets

Hailing from Brighton England, Elle Milano only lasted 4 years with only one album release but said to have with a vast catalogue of tunes most of which were available online.

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Song of the day: Friday, October 30, 2009

“Drop It Down” – Calibre & Singing Fats

From the 2005 LP – Second Sun

This is a great tune, a classic. Here’s a review taken from Discogs; “Calibre is bordering on genius as a producer on the evidence of “Second Sun”. In my opinion he is by far the most talented producer in the Drum N’ Bass scene. This album is pure class. Hearing this for the first time was nearly as exciting as when I first bought my copy of Bukem’s classic “Logical Progression” LP.

What makes Calibre’s music stand out from other D artists is the stunning production. He shows he is gifted with an amazing imagination and also a proper knowledge of musicality.

If you’re looking for an album full of hard, in-yer-face, techy ballistics then forget this album. This is deep, intelligent D with strong Dub, Reggae, Funk, Jazz and Soul influences. The basslines are rooted in Dub and are buried deep and low but they are all the better for that – these are fantastic basslines. Also there’s less emphasis on the beats. They’re minimal on nearly every track and just keep the tunes rolling along nicely. This album is not cheesy though, the moods and emotion captured here are sombre and melancholy like on the opening tune “Bullets”.

The main highlight for me is the breathtaking title track which is almost symphonic with it’s orchestral strings and some lovely ambient like atmospherics. It’s majestic, truly a thing of beauty and I would honestly suggest buying this album for that track alone. “Kiya” is also an amazing track. Featuring some great vocal hooks from Crow and brooding strings which combine with an almost cinematic string sweep. The melody on this is also very clever. It sounds off-kilter at first but after a closer listen it is infact perfectly executed. The bassline is also brilliant. “Is It U” and “Consulate Charm” are also amazing dub-tinged, soulful beauties.

I’ve found that this is a great album for listening to late at night when you want to relax with a good smoke, it’s like a chillout album believe it or not. The whole album is a rich, intoxicating listening experience and I would highly recommend this to anyone with a liking for quality music. Even if you’re not a big fan of D once you’ve listened to this you must surely agree that Calibre is a genuine talent. Quality all the way, this is a work of Art!”

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Happy Friday

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Song of the day: Thursday, October 29, 2009

“Joints & Jam” – Black Eyed Peas

From their debut 1998 LP – Behind The Front

As the support band for U2 (blog link) in last night sold out 60,000 crowd, I give them large shout-outs; mainly for missing them, albeit for the last 5 minutes in giving the crowd a pleasurable warm up to the biggest band in the world.

Here in the SOTD is a song from the first album featuring Kim Hill (not Fergie). Plus I want to shout out to the lady with her back turned to the stage with her cell phone in the air looking for husband, the BC Place staff member who was collecting rubbish through a packed stadium floor and to the guy that fainted in front of me (I hope he is okay) and to my buddy who gave me the ticket and how he found me after wandering off twice and to the older couple all dressed for the Symphony standing and enjoying the show!! Oh yes, the tall blond geezer that was a guardian for the 2 ladies who were trying to scout out a position on thew floor that was not blocked by tall people, oh and the toke too! It was a Top Show!!

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Song of the day: Wednesday, October 28, 2009

1. The Unforgettable Fire,

2. A Sort of Homecoming (live)

3. Love Comes Tumbling

4. The Three Sunrises

5. Bass Trap

From the 1985 12” – The Unforgettable Fire

In honour of U2 playing in Vancouver tonight, today’s selection, I have featured all the songs off the 12” release, The Unforgettable Fire, because it is there best, shortly after there excellent live release “Under The Blood Red Sky”, there were heading to the “best/biggest band in the world” status.

Four Dublin school friends formed a band in 1976 and by the 80’s they were an international band and have sold more than 145 million records. Not bad for a guy who cannot sing, and a band that grew into the musicians they are; The Edge’s guitar is as recognizable as say Paul McCartney’s voice. Apparently all the guitars in the band were tuned to F to counter Bono’s shrill of a voice. These 5 songs, many artists would be proud to call this an album, save for the 1st 2 tracks, the others are relegated to the B-side catalog. A stunning record.

“And if the mountain should crumble, or disappear into the sea. Not a tear, no not I. Stay in this time, stay tonight in a lie, ever after, it’s lovin’ time and if you save your love, save it all tonight. Don’t push me too far. Don’t push me too far. Tonight. Tonight.”

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Song of the day: Tuesday, October 27, 2009

“Fried Hockey Boogie” – Canned Heat

From the 1968 LP – Boogie With Canned Heat

Back from a time when musicians had cool middle/knick names,  Canned Heat formed in 1965 consisting of consisting of Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson (guitar/vocals), Larry “The Mole” Taylor (bass), Henry “Sunflower” Vestine (guitar), Aldolfo “Fido” Dela Parra (drums), and Bob “The Bear” Hite (vocals). The SOTD is the first recorded “boogies” that Canned heat were well known, jumping from recognizable riffs to unmistakable lead guitar parts and including the bands biography, makes this near 11 minute jam a true blues-boogie classic. Also on the album, you may have heard “On The Road Again” full of eastern themes and the anti-speed anthem “Amphetamine Annie”. This is a true classic.

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Song of the day: Monday, October, 26, 2009

“There’s Nothing Left Of Me But Her And This” – Tim Exile

From the 2009 LP – Listening Tree

Tim Shaw or Tim Exile or known as Exile is a producer of electronic music; idm, drum & bass & techno started experimenting with music at age 12. While he was studying for his philosophy degree and  studying electroacoustic composition at Durham university he met John B where he has released for his label. After DJing for a while, he turned away from the drum n bass sound and more into an abstract musical style. He has been supporting Imogen Heap on her US tour. Although more vocal based, the sounds here are still abstract but has a warmth similar to that of Royksopp.

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