Now three years on Universal appear to be gearing up to make the most of the treasures at their disposal with some pretty impressive compilations emerging and loads more scheduled for imminent release.

To mark this new burst of activity, I had a natter with Trojan’s Laurence Cane-Honeysett, who’s been at the label for two decades now. For much of this time he’s had what many would consider a dream job, rooting through the vaults, unpicking the scrambled or unlabelled 1/4 inch masters in search of undiscovered gems ripe for reissue.

Listen to the interview below – including classic Trojan sounds – to hear Laurence reminisce about trips to the Trojan archive in Walthamstow, reveal plans for future unreleased material, and talk through the Ska, Mod, Dub and Label overview compilations that have just hit the shelves.

Trojan Records – Laurence Cane-Honeysett interview by musiclikedirt

MLD: Whats your role in the now Universal owned Trojan Records?

I’ve worked for Trojan records as the Jamaican music consultant since 1990. I ve worked in various capacities, I started off started off listening to the tapes and then compiling and writing sleeve notes. In later years I went on to oversee the releases, and now I work in an advisory capacity for Universal in terms of what they have in their reggae catalogue.

MLD: Whats the idea behind the 4 compilations that have just been released?

We used to do a series pre Universal of 3 CD boxsets, and these new comps are very much in the tradition of those. By and large genre based, introductions to various genres and scenes, that follow that model except 2 cd’s set and 40 tracks, but we didn’t want people who’d bought the boxsets to think wait a minute I’ve got these tracks on the boxsets.
What we’ve tried to do with these is include as much rare and unreleased material as possible.

The only thing is we are limited in terms of what’s available, we are negotiating to get the rights for more repertoire. People often think well it came out on Trojan in 1970 they can release it now, but obviously agreements expire. So we are limited, and someone might say well whys there no Studio 1.

MLD: So when you say unreleased, what do you mean? Unreleased on CD, on vinyl, or never ever heard before?

The four compilations Ska, Mod, Trojan, and Dub. None of the stuff on the Dub collection has appeared on a Trojan collection before. Other companies may have released tracks or Trojan may have issues it years and years ago.

The other collections we are trying to get stuff that has never been out before, its a first. Never out in Jamaica or the Uk, focussing either never been on CD before or never been in UK before. But by and large, good stuff, the best stuff has been out in some form, but we’re focussing on what’s never been out in UK, because obviously Jamaica produced more music than ever made it to the UK.

TROJAN RECORDS – Website / Facebook

Buy: Trojan Amazon store

4 new compilations (40 tracks on each for a fiver) Dub, Mod, Ska & “The Heavy Heavy Monster Sound: The Trojan Story”.

MLD: What particularly stands out for you? Is it the tracks issued for the first time like Rupie Edward’s “Let Me Love You”?

Its a little subjective, for example I’ve had Rupie Edwards “Let Me Love You” all my adult life, I bought the record god knows when, but that’s never been issued in the UK and only ever limited issue in Jamaica. Its a cover of an old pop song by the Playmates although its light years away from that in terms of style. Its a personal favourite, its studio 1 with Sound Dimension on backing.

The Mod one what I did like is that there are some old Island Chris Blackwell. A lot of Chris’s early Ska productions especially UK ones have been overlooked, no ones known what to do with them. So this was a perfect vehicle to show them off, and demonstrate that he was a decent producer and some of the music that came out on Island in the early 60’s and was big on the MOD scene.

MLD: Universal own Island so I imagine the plan is to tie in and plunder both archives as one?

We’ve Island, we’ve got Creole, Ras, Trojan, its an incredible collection so lets really start making the most of it which up until now perhaps that hasn’t happened. The opportunities to do “ultimate” compilations is there and that’s what we’re aiming for.

MLD: Is it a challenge servicing the “Now That’s what I call Reggae” market while not forgetting the collectors or hardcore fans?

You cant abandon the hardcore market, and you have to service it? Its two distinct markets and there’s room for them both.

Universal just did a compilation a hundred reggae hits for Tesco which was a really big seller, but obviously that sort of market is vastly different to the type of stuff that I get most joy out of which is stuff that’s never been out.

Listen: Click here to listen to Jonathan Charles’ fascinating BBC Radio 4 documentary on Sister Nancy “The Nun Nurtured That Reggae“.

MLD: Tell me about the experience of getting the keys to the archive for the first time?

That’s how it all started 20 years ago. That was my first job, the 9-5 job was working in Trojan’s archive out in Walthamstow. I’d get off at Blackhorse Road tube station and it’d be a 30 minute walk from there.

MLD: My home station! On U Sound also had their studio near Blackhorse Road.

Blimey! A hot bed of reggae! That’s where the warehouse was, all the tapes, all the stock.

I got the job because I was working for Record Collector writing review and articles, and then Steve Barrow who went on to run Blood & Fire, he left, and then I worked freelance for a while as a compiler and sleeve note writer. And then I said I want to be doing more and they said well we’ve got all these tapes that aren’t logged, come in and let us know what we’ve got on the masters! So Id be in a little studio down the back day in day out just listening to tapes, identifying them, putting them on the system, writing on the tape boxes, what was actually the contents.

It was fantastic, you can imagine it was just an education in itself because back then pre the internet there were very few places you could go for solid information on Jamaican music. It was a gold mine!!

MLD: I’m told the labelling on the tape boxes could have been better?

The funny thing was I always used to wonder why Jamaican music the singles that were pressed over here were so often so badly wrong, until I got to see the tape boxes, because all the tape boxes… it was rubbish what was written on them. It was confusing, or nothing there, or people would make stuff up… that sounds like Jimmy Cliff lets put it out as a Jimmy Cliff thing.

Now of course we find the same situation with the Island tapes which I’m hoping to get to grips with. They have got a database there but the people who originally logged it didn’t know what they were doing. They wouldn’t know if the song title was the song title or the artist. For example we did a Millie compilation recently, the most basic track My Boy Lollipop you’ll get all number of spellings of the track, and of Millie. At the time it was throwaway music it wasn’t really considered high brow or anything it was just lets get this out its a pop record from Jamaica.

MLD: Where are we now in terms of the tape archive, are you back getting access?

Its something that I’m really just giving my attention to. The Trojan is fine, but Island, the later stuff not just Marley, lots of artists, you name it they signed it. So even late 70’s stuff you;d think by then they’d have sorted things out, but its all over the place. Its just a logistical problem for me to get in there, even to see the tapes is a help because sometimes you can see things that perhaps someone who’s not knowledgeable about the music wouldn’t.

MLD: So these are where… there’s a vast store somewhere, they’ve not been digitised..?

No they’ve not been digitized, some are, and the company is moving towards that. Its easier said than done with a vast company. there are people logging and digitizing in some territories but not others. Trying to coordinate that effort takes a lot of effort and money. It is something that we know we need to do, especially as far as digitization goes. While the hardcore might not be that interested in downloading, that’s the way things are going.

Listen: Sandra Robinson – “Sensi For Sale (Part 1)” (MP3)

The Ethiopians – “Everything Crash” (MP3)

MLD: People I’ve talked to about Trojan or who are interested in Trojan seem to want to know… is there anything actually left in the vault!?

Ohh well there is. The answer to that is simple. Funny enough I get asked that question alot as well, because people think wow you put out so much especially in Sanctuary days when they were putting out 7 releases a month! It must have dried up, but so much music was produced particularly from the golden age of Trojan which was late 60’s through to the mid to late 760’s. The amount of music produced in that time is nothing short of incredible.

Even though we’ve released thousands of records over the last 20 years its just incredible how much for which they’ve got rights, which they could release, which is much more then has been out. Really of what’s they’ve got rights to maybe only a quarter at most, so there’s three quarters of the catalogue that’s not been out on CD or digital.

Download: A 21 track compilation of rare crackly 7″ flip side reggae dub versions. Compiled by a now vanished blog liamskablog: The Dubs & Versions Collection (Rar)

MLD: Is one of the issues tracking down the artists, in terms of publishing? Reggae publishing is perhaps known for some shady deals?

That is a problem, because there’s a lot of how could one put it..less than honest practices, but it was easy to just point fingers at the record companies but in truth it ran so much deeper than that. Producers – naming no names – would go to record companies and sign the repertoire exclusively, and then go to another company and do exactly the same deal. And then of course record companies would say what about the artists, and they’d say we’ll sort the artist out. If the the producer refused the record company to pay the artist directly there was nothing the record company could do about it.

But a stance has been taken that whether or not the producer liked it, we’d have to take the money for the artist and if the producers not paying them we have to. Its the right thing to do and we want to keep artists happy.

On the other hand I remember a long time ago there was an artist approached Trojan to pay his royalties, which they did and the following week I read an article saying he’;d never been paid any royalties.

Having said that there is a problem tracking artists down, and record companies have to actively try to do, so that people are getting paid.

MLD: Have you had a eureka moment? Discovering a special treasure that meant a lot to you?

I’ll be honest with you, there have been so many, especially with the Trojan catalogue. I was just like a kid in a candy shop. You can imagine there was stuff that had never been out, and still hasn’t been out, and I was finding stuff from the golden age that got me into the music in the first place. By artists Id never heard of and wonderful wonderful recordings. The only thing I did find though is we put some of those recordings on a compilation back in the early 90’s I think and it bombed. No one was interested. But I think now things have moved on and perhaps because not much has come out over the last couple of years its stoaked up more interest in the new stuff coming. It was getting a little tired before, the fact that we were putting out so much.

MLD: So you turn up at this warehouse in Walthamstow, open the door and before you are just racks and rack of tapes??

yes, literally that, in boxes. Just boxers full of tapes that haven’t been looked at since the day they were put in. That hadn’t been played since the day they arrived at Trojan, it was just mind-blowing. Actually there are still lots of unidentified things, especially on multitrack. Its just finding the time to play all these things, you’ve got hundreds. The only way is to get a studio go in here and play through them.

MLD: Are these all masters, 1/4 inch or are they mastered from vinyl?

It really varies , that’s another ting that was a surprise. It was interesting that we used to ask well this sounds terrible, and we’d be told sometimes that the master was the 7″ single they were provided with. In Jamaica cutting costs they’d use the tape over and over again, so a lot of those old original masters are long since gone and the ones that haven’t that remained in Jamaica, they rotted or they were eaten by termites. Baring in mind what there should be there is really only a small percentage of original masters existing. So we do have to use Vinyl in a lot of cases but then again they were using vinyl back in 1970. Things like Liquidator which was a big hit for Trojan was sourced off of a Jamaican 7″ single. Some people would say that’s the charm that roughness or rawness, it didn’t necessarily need sweetening with overdubs of strings and the like.

Listen: Carl Malcolm – “No Jestering (Part2 – Dub)” (MP3)

Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Buffalo Dub” (MP3)

MLD: Going back to Universal how does Trojan fit in such a vast company. How does it make itself heard?

I think that was a problem to begin with. Universal has a frontline or contemporary record company and they didn’t really get to grips with marketing older music. Trojan is a rather small fish in a huge pond, and it was a little bit lost initially going from one of Sanctuary’s main bread winners to being a really quite insignificant part of Universal.

Now there is a concerted effort and recognition at Universal that Trojan has great value, historically, commercially, but also in kudos, the brand.

MLD: As far as the reissues go, will you be bringing out not just various artists compilations, but also single artist and album reissues? Also there appears to be very little actual product available on even Amazon?

That’s another issue, there is a change over in the way the back catalogue is structured and im very optimistic for the future in terms of what’s being said and planned now. There’s going to be direct to consumer website, aimed at hardcore fans, and more in the way of single artist compilations and originals. On Spectrum albums will be coming out in the originals series such as Harry J Allstars

MLD: I looked on itunes and there appears to be barely any Trojan material available?

Yes, stuff is going up there but by the same token a lot of stuff has been deleted so its in everyone’s interest that the product is available. It may not be of importance to hardcore fans but its a great showcase, if its out there people like tv, adverts, games, films are more likely to use it. The only way we can make money is if the product is out there.

MLD: Aside from the 5 or 6 compilations that have come out in the last month or so, what else is in the pipeline?

Well we are going to be doing a vinyl range which is going to exclusive unreleased and rare material. We’re doing a Bob Marley & Jimmy Cliff single artists compilations.

MLD: Yes I read about you finding lots of unheard Jimmy Cliff in the archive.

It was fantastic, really I could have done a whole albums worth of unreleased Jimmy Cliff and if Id had more time to look maybe a few albums worth. Its astounding but also there is also the Bob Marley Jad stuff which is coming out which is exciting.
Universal acquired the JAD catalogue, pre Island stuff and from end of August beginning of September, the first fruits of that a 4 CD set of stuff that’s never been presented in that form before. Bob Marley when he was a real Soul Rebel. There are a couple of tracks that have never been on CD before and we’ve been promised a 100 or so previously unissued titles , we don’t know how good whether they are just demos, what they are , but that should be happening next year. So its happening across the whole Universal family, this realisation that reggae has this great value to the company.

There’s also going to be a Trojan boxset hopefully, of CD, Vinyl, Memorabilia, an exciting project with the best of Trojan plus rare stuff in there, all sorts of interesting things in a luxury presentation.

Once the obvious names are out there then we get to artists like The Ethiopians and artists of that ilk who aren’t perhaps as well known to the public but have a very important place in terms of the history of Jamaican music. And have commercial value, I mean Train To Skaville was used in a TV advert last year which brings a lot of money in. Its also important to appeal to the core fan base that love and cherish this stuff. Funny enough I found a couple of unreleased Ethiopians tracks amongst the Creole tapes that potentially could come out.

MLD: Well, thank you very much for your time, Ill let you know when its up on the site. Music Like Dirt is of course pinched from the old Desmond Dekker track, although people often don’t understand what it means.

Yes, the 2nd compilation I ever put together was called Music Like Dirt, but the name can be funny. Its not easy, we’ve just done a Lee Perry Black Ark years compilation, which is provisionally called “Sipple Out There” ie “Trouble Out There”. However a few people have quite rightly said what the hell does that mean!?

MLD: I can imagine. I got emails from Lily Allen fans when I put together a compilation of tracks she sampled on her first album… her music isn’t like Dirt they’d say?

You sometimes have to explain it, and you think well maybe I should call it something else.

MLD: Whats the selling point with the Perry collection?

Its amazing its never been done, but its what came out in Jamaica on his label on 7″ single. There’s never been a compilation saying well this is the stuff he issued himself, after he opened Black Ark which he would obviously consider the best.
If it does well we could do the same with the disco mixes , 12″ single, then you could do UK singles, given that Universal have rights via Trojan and Island to all the stuff that Perry put out in the UK after 74. The cross over between Trojan and Island is perfect.

Listen: Boris Gardiner – “Melting Pot (Coldcut re-rub)” (MP3)”

MLD: Finally are there plans to remix any Trojan material or release previous remixes such as WrongTom’s Bob & Marcia’s “I Dont Care” remix ?

A few things got caught up and not released in the buyout of Trojan by Universal but its definitely an area we want to get back into and release.
Going back to what Trojan have and what there is on the masters, with multitracks its ideal for remixing..24 tracks multi’s.
Justin Robertson did one for the last track on the “Heavy Heavy Monster Sound – The Trojan Story” compilation, his remix of a Pioneers song. That’s the sort of thing we’d like to aim at a younger market and to try and suck people in who then may want to dig further. The message to any remixers is come to us, we’re interested in presenting or updating the music for a contemporary audience.

MLD: That’s sort of what I hoped with the Lily Allen compilation, that perhaps her fans would download it, and then discover all this incredible older music they didn’t know Lily was sampling.

To be honest I got into reggae in a similar way , it wasn’t remixes it was covers,. I was a big R&B fan, and I would listen to the radio to people like Charlie Gillett who’d play sound by say Prince Buster. If they weren’t covers they were heavily influenced at least the early stuff by American R&B. I then went back and dug further via that route so I think the same can be done via music now. Hopefully to introduce vintage reggae music to a whole new generation.

Listen:
BBC Radio 2 Documentary – “Tighten Up – The Trojan Records Story”
Part 1 Part 2

Join the Music Like Dirt Facebook page – Im sure theres a very good reason to…let me know if you think of one.

Or rather I missed a mass Karaoke session as I had a flight to catch. Going by Youtube it’s a sight to behold, the full bearpit packed with a raucous crowd urging on the amateurs as they murder the popular classics (check out Prince “Kiss” & Sir Mixalot “Big Butts” – the crowd go crazy for the last one). Instead I enjoyed the sun, Mauerpark’s version of Camden market, a graffiti covered stadium and an unexpected highlight, Lucky Paul with his car battery powered electronic busking.

The Kiwi producer is based in Berlin & he pops up for impromptu jams all across the city. He’ll often rope in friends like DJ Vadim and Yarah Bravo, although on this day there was only a passing Borat lookalike and his pals begging to try the mic. Apologies are offered for the fact that the sound and vision below doesn’t really do Lucky Paul justice, but I was just playing around with the camera.

Lucky Paul – Myspace / Buy
Watch: Lucky Paul, DJ Vadim & Yarah Bravo – Live Alexanderplatz (Youtube)

Not having much time for record shopping I took a trip to Dense Records which proclaims itself as Berlin’s one-stop-shop for everything sonically unusual.
It stocks everything other than the mainstream, and the friendly guy behind the counter dealt was happy to recommend a few “local” sounds. He also enthused about trips to Manchester’s Piccadilly Records & Sounds Of The Universe in London.

Here are the three releases he picked out:

The Q4 or QuadraphoniQuartet are an odd first choice as the group is a collaboration between three Dutch producers: Arts the Beatdoctor, Sense and STW. It is however released on Berlin based Hip-Hop / Electronica label Project Mooncircle.

They scratch up obscure old samples, cut them into individual notes and then form impromptu jam session over the top. Their Sound Surroundings LP features a host of guest vocalists and rappers but for my money it’s actually the instrumental tracks that standout the most.

The Q4 – Facebook / Myspace
The Q4 – “One Of These Days” (MP3)

The Jahtari label releases digital laptop reggae, and is endearingly geeky about old computers. Visiting their website you’re advised to install a C-64 font to get the full Jahtari experience.
For those too young to remember (and I’m told some are) Atari were a legendary computer company, and Jah! is what middle class people exclaim when visiting Sound systems at Notting Hill Carnival*. *He may also be the Rastafarian god.
If you love Reggae, be sure to head over to their site for oodles of free dubwise downloads!
“Citadel Station” sounds like Luigi & Mario gave up freeing princess’s and made a dub track. 8-bit dub loveliness… check out that bassline!

Jahtari – Website / Myspace / Facebook
Buy “Jahtarian Dubbers Vol.2″
Read: Jahtari’s guide to the history of Reggae Music.
Disrupt – “Citadel Station” (MP3)

Olaf Bender, co-founder of experimental electronic label Raster-Noton was an audio/visual artist in the East before the wall came down. Aside from his musical aka Byetone he also oversees the always innovative graphic design and packaging for Raster-Noton releases.

In the interview below Olaf talks about how music perhaps means less than it did once. When he grew up music was resistance, especially against the state in East Germany, but now its more linked to the fashionable and the sheer quantity. I don;t need every single MP3 on my harddisk he says, he’s happy to be selective.

Label mate Alva Noto featured in my favourite tracks of the year back in 2008 with the stunningly good mathematics meets the dance floor “U08-1″.

Byetone – Myspace / Facebook
Watch: Interview with Olaf / Raster Noton history
Byetone – “Plastic Star (Session)” (MP3)

Alva Noto – “U08-1″ (MP3)

After “Be Brave”, from Akira’s Tribute to the music of Street Fighter Mixtape featured here last week, The Don summoned up an army of twitterers to assault the Hype Machine Twitter chart.

For the uninitiated, the Hype Machine hoovers up MP3’s from hundreds of music blogs and allows users to listen to individual tracks, favourite them, or tweet their appreciation to all and sundry. Any blogger who’s ever posted an MP3 of LCD Soundsystem will have found themselves at No.1 in the main chart (by its nature it rewards posting the most popular artists, rather than spotting new talent) but the separate Twitter chart is a different beast.

Otherwise known as the “ANA MARIE COX CHART”, a song scores points for every tweet about it. The more followers a person has the higher points per tweet, so Ana Marie has dictated the top 3 for weeks thanks to the 3801 point scoring bunker busting tweet bomb her massive 1.5 MILLION followers give her.

No easy task to overhaul but day by day “Be Brave” climbed, 100’s tweeted in its cause, every single point taking it slowly towards the 4000+ needed. Musicians and writers like Martin Carr, Example, Gonzales, Dan le Sac, Scroobius Pip, The Quietus, Lethal Bizzle joined the fight putting some big scores on the board. Robyn, Andree 3000 and finally James Murphy himself were passed and it was mostly down to the twitter hoi polloi tweeting and retweeting for days.

If you missed the track first time listen below or visit AkiraTheDon.Com to download a Free MP3 bundle.

Akira The Don – Be Brave by Akira The Don
With one chart “rigged“…sorry enthusiastically embraced… why not milk it some more and suggest the story to those responsible for the excellent Hype Machine Podcast/Radio show? I suggested they speak to Akira himself but the show is about the blogs rather than speaking to artists so it was left to the one man charisma vacuum that is me to step in for wittering duties.

Listen below at about 12 minutes in. On the plus side they played Desmond Dekker’s “Intensified 68 (Music Like Dirt)” as well as “Be Brave”. All I can say is I sound like a right old whinge, moaning about how much email I get (oh woe) and how I think about deleting the whole blog. I’m not really such a miserable git honest!!! I don’t feel part of Akira The Don’s life either… well not since the restraining order anyway.

#19 Hype Machine Radio Show (June 2010) by hypem

Akira & his mate Joey2Tits have also remixed Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobious Pip’s new single “Great Britain”.

It’s available to listen to below, and buy at all good retailers (or itunes).

Finally the last remaining sample – Squeeze’s Cool For Cats, – has been cleared, and Akira’s album, The Life Equation is almost ready to be unleashed.
The first single, co-produced by the legendary Stephen Hague (as is the rest of the album) will be winging its way to Radio soon.

Great Britain (Akira the Don vs. Joey2Tits Remix) by le sac Vs Pip

Sample nerds might want to check the original source material for “Be Brave” below – taken from the Blood On The Asphalt remix of Guile’s Ending Theme, from the Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD remix project.

SAVE BBC ASIAN NETWORK (AND 6 MUSIC TOO)

Another delayed post featuring some of my musical favourites from the last few weeks. Hurriedly put up (in unfinished form) simply because its the last chance to fill in the BBC’s online questionnaire registering your objection to the closure of The Asian Network & 6 Music.

Visit here to register your objection with the BBC Trust (they make the decisions)

The Asian Network recently picked up a couple of Sony Awards for its output. Nihal won Best Speech programme, with the judges saying “Issues are addressed that you’ll rarely, if ever, hear on mainstream radio… Quite simply, brilliantt.”

Back to the music as I didn’t intend this to be about Save Asian Network today, it just happens that Bobby Friction introduces me to bountiful amounts of new music courtesy of his AN show.
Without again going through the million reasons why both stations need to survive (I’ve wittered before) an entire scene depends on the Asian Network. Artists like Psychedelic Singh (who this post was actually supposed to be about) get not only national exposure but more importantly cold hard cash from the BBC via PRS for every play (about 15 quid for every play I think?) Commercial rivals whinging about the Asian Network’s budget do so from the comfortable position of not paying for the music they play.

Thanks go to Asian Network for alerting me to the work of Bradford’s finest purveyor of tie-dye bhangra, Amarik Singh, aka Psychedelic Singh. Listen to “Tumba Vajada Nar” below featuring the vocal talents of Lal Chand Yamla Jatt for just a sample of his riotously fun output. If the BBC is allowed to self-harm and cut the Asian Network it’ll be a body blow to the very musical and cultural diversity that for me makes this country great!
Tumba Vajada Nar feat Lal Chand Yamla Jatt by The Psychedelic Singh

Psychedelic Singh – Myspace / Soundcloud
Amarik Singh – “Tumba vajada Nar” (MP3)

Amarik Singh – “ReProduced (Bobby Friction on BBC Asian Network)” (MP3)

HYPNOTIC BRASS

As the Uk strips enmasse down to shorts and socks in celebration of a weeks worth of beautiful weather, the musical equivalent of sunshine, The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble return with a perfectly timed new EP.
As a taster they’ve unleashed a free download of the Outkast covering “Spottie” from the EP, safe in the knowledge that anyone who listens will be compelled to buy the EP (if not their entire back catalogue). Incidentally Big Boi from Outkast is also back with “Stutterbug” a tune so good the bookies are paying out on track of 2010 seven months early.

Watch the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble video above and then book yourself to see them live should they pass a musical venue near you.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Twitter / Facebook / Website
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – “Spottie” (MP3)

JETTRICKS

I’ve not had a chance to listen yet but it’s fabulous to see JetTricks getting some coverage courtesy of Fun Lovin’ Criminal Huey Morgan on BBC 6music.

Listen again to the show as Paul & Jamie JetTricks talk about their musical collaborators, love of soul and swap home studio stories with Huey.
Also check out the Podcast “Jettricks on the Wireless Radio Show” over here.

The second Jet Tricks album “One World” came out last month (Buy it here) but for a sample of the Jet Tricks sound listen to the wonderful “Don’t Touch Me” from their debut. Watch the video below too.

Jet Tricks – Facebook / Twitter / Myspace / Buy
Jet Tricks – “Don’t Touch Me” (MP3)

SAGE FRANCIS

Sage Francis’s new album LI(F)E emerged blinking into the daylight this week revealing itself as a brave and extraordinary step up in the ambitions of Francis.

A good example being the sumptuous “Best Of Times” a collaboration between the fiery poet/rapper and Yann Tiersen, composer of the Soundtrack to one of the alltime favourites of world cinema, Amelie. Its a truly epic, touching and heartfelt track and if you’ve not already heard it, listen then read Sage’s thoughts on the songs lyrics and his nervousness at working with Yann.

In other news Dan Le Sac is currently working on some Sage remixes.

Sage Francis – Twitter / Facebook / Website / Buy
Sage Francis – “Best Of Times” (MP3)

Sage Francis – LI(F)E Interview (conducted by Steven Blaqart) by Strange Famous Records

AKIRA THE DON

Dan Le Sac may be working on a Sage Francis remix, but in the incestuous world of facebook friending, twitter following remixers, Akira The Don has already remixed got his tonsils round Dan & Scroob’s new single “Great Britain“. Available to buy next week or for a sneak preview listen 25 minutes into No.14 of Akira’s All New STILL weekly Doncast.

The real ATD news though is the MASSIVE response to his latest free mixtape, ATD23. From my window a few weeks back I could see smoke drifting across Walthamstow Marshes from the direction of Hackney. What could it be… Socialist Worker constructively criticizing the Olympics by torching the place..? No, it was servers running Akira’s website melting down after ATD 23 was declared “The Best Gaming Mixtape You’ll Ever Hear” by the ludicrously popular gaming site Kotaku.com.

30,000 streams later, pages worth of comments along the lines of “Ca donne une SUPA DUPA HOT SHIIIIT!” and Akira has indeed produced another classic mixtape. Its rammed with new songs based around Streetfighter samples, including rising talent, Envy.
As someone who never really played Streetfighter I’m hoping Akira succumbs to my own gaming heritage with an ATD24: Emlyn Hughes International Sensible Soccer mixtape!

Download ATD23 – Tribute to the music of Streetfighter

Akira The Don – Website / Twitter / Facebook / Soundcloud
Akira The Don – “Be Brave” (MP3)

LION D

London born but now living in Italy (from where his mum hails) Lion D’s “Nah Like Da Way Deh” is a bitter pill of social commentary wrapped up in the sweetest summer reggae coating. Wind down the car windows and sing along to the likes of “To make it look like a global conspiracy, to hold the people down and keep them in poverty“.

Its also two tunes for the price of one as 2 and a half minutes in the vocals disappear and it heads off on a glorious 4 minute sax led instrumental excursion! If you like this be sure to check out his debut long player “Burning Melody“.

Lion D – Twitter / Facebook / Buy
Lion D – “Nah Like Da Way Deh” (MP3)

ELLIE MAE / BANANA KLAN

“@musiclikedirt why’s everybody sleeping on @rootsmanuva and banana klan anyway? haven’t heard a peep from anybody else. bouncement 4eva“.

I couldnt agree more with dao777’s tweet above, so for the second post running I’m giving some love to Rodney Smith’s BananaKlan. Its difficult to think of a time when Rodney seemed this productive, this on fire, and yet strangely the internet doesn’t seem to be buzzing yet.
Last time around it was a Banana Klan prototype, since then there have been mixtapes, an all new belter from Manuva himself, Jim Screech has possibly his best track ever poised to drop, and Ellie Mae a singer/songwriter from Surrey (pictured right) has been transformed by the Klan into Carol Thompson’s long lost sister! Listen to “Every Little Thing” below – Lovers Rock as re-imagined through the squelching prism of Rodney’s uniquely English bouncement sound.

Ellie Mae – Twitter / Facebook
Banana Klan – Twitter / Facebook / Soundcloud

Rodney himself is back with some new material unveiled over on Soundcloud (and available to buy too)
Snake Bite – Roots Manuva by Banana Klan

THE STREET LAMP SESSIONS

BamaLoveSoul.Com presents its first remix compilation, The Street Lamp Sessions Vol.1: The Remixes!

The finest knob twiddlers in Alabama get their hands on tracks by Amel Larrieux, Jill Scott, Jaafar, Jay Z and more.

The whole things free so head over to BamaLoveSoul to say thanks.

Who says romance is dead… Shaheed pays audio tribute to his beautiful wife…

Shaheed – Myspace
Shaheed – “Beautiful Black Ethiopian Skin” (MP3)

MONDKOPF

I think Ive developed a modern version of attention deficit disorder – Twitter, Facebook, MP3’s by the thousand, iplayer, youtube… These days its hard to hold my attention for a full track before I hit shuffle, so a whole album… yeah right!

Mondkopf’s “Galaxy Of Nowhere“ is one of a handful of exceptions so far this year. An album I can listen to from track 1 to 12 without my finger even hovering over “next” – ridiculous though that problem is.

Maybe the 23 year old Parisian just ticks all the right boxes for me? Eno influences, crunching beats, large synths but most of all BIG orchestration! Lovely.

As a bonus grab Mondkopf remix of one of my favourite tracks of last year by Wolf Parade. Its huge and free from those people at RCDLB who get their mitts on all the best tunes, damn them.

Mondkopf – Twitter / Facebook / Lastfm / Music blog
Mondkopf – “Valse Dans L’Ombre” (MP3)

STRAYFOLK / BAD PANDA

Bad Panda are currently releasing a new Creative Commons licensed song every Monday.

In search of top quality Americana they arrived in Sweden (the Easyjet flights were cheaper). StrayFolk hail from Malmö, Sweden and Dylan or Waits would be proud to put their names to “What Wouldnt I do“.

If the music wasnt enough their favourite quote comes from the legendary Groucho Marx – “Go and never darken my towels again“. Thats me convinced.

Strayfolk – Myspace / Website / Bad Panda (inc High Quality DL) / Buy
Strayfolk – “What wouldn’t I do” (MP3)

DET SEJLER I EFFEKTER

From Copenhagen, Denmark, Det Sejler I Effekter (english translation: Awash in effects) is a cooperation between Kee Fritchards/Jdreng, Daniel Sarstedt and tummy_dob.

The band formed in early 2008. Musically Det Sejler I Effekter fuse elements from dubtechno, electronica and a smidget of dubstep.

Det Sejler I Effekter – Facebook / Twitter / Soundcloud
Det Sejler I Effekter – “Erobrende Løve” (MP3)

MING MING DANCE COMPANY

Ming Ming Dance Companys style is hard to pin down to a particular genre, but his music has been described as ‘Floating in a swimming pool full of LSD while Timbaland beats the dudes from Suicide to death with his 808′.

Although that description was ripped wholesale from the email they sent me… I’m a bad music blogger but the tracks very good so please forgive me for my cut and paste sins!

Ming Ming Dance Company – Facebook / Bandcamp / Myspace
Ming Ming Dance Company – “Crookline” (MP3)

SEINKING SHIPS

Part of Cardinal – an orchestral pop act that paved the way for everyone from The Polyphonic Spree to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. Eric from The Seinking Ships was also signed to Sub Pop and releasing an LP that MOJO cited as ‘one of the 67 Lost albums You Must Own’. He decided to make an album with Ohio native Christopher Seink – mainly instrumentals inspired by 80’s soundtrack music.
It also features Miki Berenyi from Lush who’s been absent from the music business since the late 90’s. Miki laid vocals on a few tracks for the album – entitled “Museum Quality Capture‘. No disputing this album is obtuse, but intriguing at the same time.

Seinking Ships – Twitter / Facebook / Website / Buy
Seinking Ships – “Year Of The Seeker” (MP3)

DIEGO BERNAL

Civil rights crimefighter by day and beat producer by night, Diego Bernal, returns with “Besides…” his follow up album to 2009’s successful, For Corners. On the album, Bernal sifts through untapped and long forgotten South Texas crates to create a musical ode to the classic era of hip hop.

With “Besides…” we see a more straight foward take on hip hop but the production has matured and the beats have grown more into full songs.

Diego Bernal – Twitter / Facebook / Myspace / Download free full album
Diego Bernal – “El Corrido de Chico B” (MP3)

PHANTOGRAM GET THE WILKIS GOLDEN TOUCH

MLD regular Alan Wilkis has been providing his midas touch to another lucky upcoming act. Not only is he the Hype Machines most prolific remixer but Wilkis has even reached as far as the National Slovak Theater who’ve interpreted his track “The Hustle” (DOWNLOAD) in contemporary dance. (Youtube video)

Unsurprisingly Phantogram’s label, Barsuk, are delighted with the remix, labelling it a “joyous new-wave inflected delight.”

Phantogram – Facebook / Twitter
Alan Wilkis – Website / Twitter / Soundcloud
Phantogram – “Mouthful of Diamonds (Alan Wilkis mix)” (MP3)

Alan Wilkis Remixes by Alan Wilkis

To keep up-to-date with the latest MP3 related ramblings join the Music Like Dirt Facebook page or follow on Twitter.

The link between listening to Go-Go flavoured Hip-Hop circa 1992 and increased turn out at polling booths remains unproven but as Mr Franti says:
“No vote doesn’t mean we’re protected some suckas still gon’ get elected….”

Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy - “Rock The Vote (Exercise Your Right)” (MP3)

“When I drink Tea, It’s usually Tetley”

The Busking Champions of the South West, Hedluv & Passman are back with that difficult 2nd LP. Having confused/delighted/irritated audiences near and far, from Brazil to a string of 40th birthday parties “Dreckly” is the first taster of their new material.

Its everything you’d expect from Hedluv, ie. is it bad, is it good? Have Morris Minor & The Majors reformed? Daft, unabashed and embarrassment free as Hedluv lays his rhymes over Casio keyboard loops.
As many people will hate this as love it. To those that hate, I’m sorry I can see your point but whats that?.. I can’t hear you very clearly.. I’m just playing “Dreckly” 6 times straight on my ipod.

Hedluv – Website / Facebook / Myspace / Twitter
Hedluv + Passman – “Dreckly” (MP3)

Roots Manuva has been cutting loose and having fun with his Banana Klan collective, their regular live extravaganzas feature 8 piece horn sections and a stage full of guests performing mad jams.

“Banana Skins Riddim” is a taster dub test tape with Manuva and other Banana Klan luminaries Jimmy Screech & Ricky Ranking. The combination of chatted vocals, cries of “Myyyy Goddd”, and lovely parping horns is irresistible. Keep an eye on Banana Klan both for exclusive previews and full on releases soon to come.

Banana Klan – Facebook/Blog/Soundcloud
The Banana Klan – “Banana Skins Riddim (feat Roots Manuva, Jimmy Screech, Ricky Ranking)” (MP3)

01 Dub college volume 1: Ricky Ranking Mix Tape by Banana Klan

Every generation has a Weller song to call its own whether its by The Jam, Style Council or the Modfather’s “Wildwood” era. The glorious 8 minute Northern Soul swirl of Leo Zero’s “No Tears To Cry” remix may just be the track that bewitches a fresh generation. I’ve been meaning to post it ever since the record company emailed it out a month or so ago.
Leo Zero’s Dub Psychedelic Series previously sprinkled magic onto 70’s Bowie, and his Weller mix is a subtle triumph. On Soundcloud Leo was modest about his input “I can’t take credit for any of the parts! – I just did a beef-up and added some drums… the original is actually constructed with a lot of separate samples, I was very surprised when I cracked it open – it sounds so live, I thought it was all original“.

He was also understandably excited to be offered the chance to work on Weller’s material:

“A remix for Paul Weller / Island records that was a real honour ( and a lot of fun) to do. I think of this sound as what was going on at Blackpool’s Mecca Ballroom on the Northern Soul scene – slightly disco-fied…. but this track also reminds me of Neil Diamond and Glen Campbell – it’s a truly great song, and I was literally jumping round the studio with excitement when I first heard it! It was one thing to land a Paul Weller mix after being a fan for so long, but then to find out it was for such a belter of a song was mind-blowing.”

Paul Weller – Website / Facebook… errr Weller says social networking site are “bullshit”.
Leo Zero – Soundcloud - huge selection of Leo’s mixes) / Website
Paul Weller – “No Tears To Cry (Leo Zero remix)” (MP3)

Listen: Paul Weller’s Spotify mixtape.

Side A: Late 60’s Lovelies – Jesamine – The Casuals, Traffic – Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush, Love Affair – Bringin on Back The Good Times, White Plains – When You Are a King, The Flowerpot Men – Lets Go To San Fransisco
Side B: Current Cuts – Rox – My Baby Left Me, Eliza Dolittle – Rollerblades, Erland and the Carnival – Trouble In Mind, Black Mountain – Stormy High, Dr Dog. – The Breeze

If you ever step into Soul Jazz Records beautifully tiled “Sounds Of The Universe“ record shop be prepared to depart significantly poorer.

As the name suggests they cover almost every sound from every part of the globe, but excel in the obscure or limited edition. You’ll find music in here you haven’t seen anywhere else.
Somehow I managed to escape with only a couple of 7″s and two typically brilliant compilations.
The first comes courtesy of Johny Trunk, the man behind Trunk records/website self proclaimed specialists in “Music, Nostalgia and Sex“. Their latest compilation “Bollywood Funk Experience” trawls the vast archive of Saregema, Bollywood masters whose history dates back to 1901 when EMI set up the label as its first overseas venture.
The frankly bonkers “African Dance” is representative of the album in that its bursting at the seems with seemingly contradictory ideas and sounds. The fact that it was recorded in 1967 makes its incredible inventiveness all the more impressive.

Trunk Records – Website / Monthly recommendations / Cookery
Kalyanji Anandi – “African Dance” (MP3)

“Lagos Disco Inferno” has the following advice on its cover “Hello fans! It is highly advised to drop your pants before dancing to this non-stop afro disco“. Having tested this I can reveal that the vibrant 1970’s Nigerian Disco & Funk gems contained on the CD are equally enjoyable either in or sans your pants.
Read the Voodoofunk blog to hear about the trials of exclusive licensing and rows with BBE or as he calls them, British Bootlegging Enterprises.

Voodoofunk.com – Endless undiscovered West African musical delights
Download Desktop background of “West African” Album sleeves – JPG
Grotto – “Bad City Girl” (MP3)

Check out the promo video featuring Doris Ebong’s wonderful “Boogie Trip”.

Since Father Abraham first introduced Music Like Dirt to the work of Alan Wilkis he’s become something of a hype machine fuelled phenomenon. Hopefully some of the acclaim for his remixes – he made Vampire Weekend don Day-Glo laces and head down the 80’s disco – will transfer to Wilkis’s own material (Listen to Pink & Purple here).
Here’s what Alan has to say about his beautifully subtle reworking of White Hinterland/Casey Dienel or “Idiosyncratic chamber-folk pixie” as the BBC called her.

Traditionally the quickest way to get a crash course in the sounds of any city is to visit the musical devotees to be found in local independent record emporium. On the evidence however of my 10 hour slep round Kowloon and surrounding areas, the record shop is as endangered here as it is in England.

Starting off by testing my tolerance to Canto-Pop at the listening booths of a few central HMV like entertainment stores. I left marvelling at little more than the mind-boggling prices and caught the ferry to Kowloon to track down the fruits of my “hong kong best record shops” google searches.

Almost immediately after getting off the Star Ferry I stumble across the self proclaimed “best record store in HK”, Rendezvous Records. It’s a traditional 2nd hand store crammed to bursting with piles of vinyl and CD’s. I’m sure the dedicated rack browser would be rewarded with many a treasure (see here), but its new “local” music I’m after so its on to the next one for me.

Deeper into Mong Kok I wander up and down a street in search of what I remember being tipped as the finest small indie store but now a week or so later I cant remember the name or find any reference to it online. After a while I spot a sign for comics/internet and head up some narrow stairs into a small room the walls of which are entirely lined by comic books while assorted blokes lay spread eagled over scruffy couches engrossed in said books. Stepping over a pile of Anime, I log onto a PC in the corner to discover the shop closed down last year.

Anyway lets pause the holiday postcard for some lovely local low-down hiphop soul, precisely the kind of music I totally failed to find wandering the streets.
Other than they hail from Hong Kong & Canton there’s little information about Inspired Once on their myspace. “The Dawn” is a tasty amalgam of 70’s soul and 808 beats, while “Takin’ It Easy” lifts the Tommy McCook sample used by Lily Allen on LDN and heads off into jazzier territory. “Soul Kiss” (see below) sounds like an unheard Dilla track (the influence of the man reaches all four corners of the globe).
DJ Kenny was one of the original members of the Terntable Jediz (their spelling not mine). Started in and mostly made up of Australians, DJ Kenny is the Hong Kong wing of the operation, and according to his page “well recognised for his knowledge and dedication to hip-hop, crate digging and Turntablist/DJ culture“.
As for Djoe, Im not actually sure he’s an artist or as his links suggest, a character in a create your own dance music video game. Either way I enjoyed the downtempo hiphop on offer.

Inspired Once – Myspace
Inspired Once – “Soul Kiss” (MP3)

Djoe – Myspace
Djoe – “Scratch Battle” (MP3)

DJ Kenny – Myspace / Soundclick
DJ Kenny – “Beat 36″ (MP3)

Stopping for an overdue food break I toyed with the idea of sampling a dish called “Fried Morning Glory“, something Id previously only known as a vague threat issued by girlfriends when woken too early. The waiter however insisted I try the “famous” Hainan Chicken, a dish I now is prepared by boiling chicken then plunging it into freezing water so that it arrives cold on the plate. Unfortunately I didn’t know this at the time and spent most of the meal engaged in a very English conundrum of whether to complain my food was cold. The language barrier confused my attempts to question the coldness, but the waiters response probably translated as “Yes, cold… And??”

Next stop Zoo Records, a tiny shop in the Sino Centre run by ex-record producer Yeung So and his sister, specialising in leftfield sounds along the lines of Sigur Ross. They have an online presence, record label, and have been known to bring artists over to play HK.

The Sino’s various levels are crammed with local teens eagerly snapping up reproduction pictures of the current heart throbs, fashion, quirky trinkets and a few shops selling some more questionable content. In the basement music takes over with numerous little stores pilled high with Canto-Pop but also less mainstream tastes like a dedicated Metal retailer. Zoo is an oasis of calm from the hoards, its stock paired down, hand picked and carefully selected rather than teetering from floor to ceiling.

Enquiring what kind of music I was interested in, Yeung (if it was him?) was more than happy to take time out to select half a dozen CD’s from his non-Western selection. The first album he picked out was “Zatracenie” by the Tokyo based ambient/electronic act Matryoshka. Released in 2009 on Zoo’s own label, I actually plumped for the remix version, and having heard that I’m now wishing I’d also bought the original as suggested! The duo have demo’s on Myspace giving a sneak peak at their 2nd LP due later in the year.

Incidentally when I got home and imported the CD into itunes a message popped up saying “do you want to import duplicate tracks?” All the way to Hong Kong to pick out something I already had a track from!

Matryoshka – Facebook / Myspace / Listen to Demo’s from the forthcoming LP
Matryoshka - “Slowsnow (Remixed by Fort Wayne)” (MP3)

Snoblind were the highlight of my Zoo Records bounty, formed by two Hong Kong cubicle workers Vincent & Regina after an initial tongue in cheek conversation round the water cooler.
They seem most heavily influenced by artists like David Holmes, David Axelrod or DJ Shadow but take in everything from rock, ambient, hip-hop, dub reggae to film scores.

Snoblind – Website / Myspace / Latest EP available for FREE Learning From Murmurs : Selected Filmworks
Also download FREE “Imaginary Soundtrack” EP & “Phantom Cartography” EP
Snoblind – “Test Project” (MP3)

Snoblind – “Inside All” (MP3)

The second weekend of my stay in Hong Kong coincided with the annual rugby/beer drinking tournament The Hong Kong Sevens.
The Wan Chai district could hardly be said to be prim the rest of the year – with a history for prostitution dating back to the US servicemen on R&R from Vietnam – but during 7’s its a seething mass of boozed up rugger fans. That said, there was no aggression on the streets as the fans busied themselves with lager, loudly displaying their testicles to each other (dont ask me, its a rugby thing) or finding a working girl for the evening.

One Englishman I found myself chatting to a few nights earlier casually slipped into the conversation that he’d “pulled a model the other night“. Perhaps spotting my involuntary eye brow raise (not that Frank, 45 overweight from Stevenage wasnt a catch) he continued “yeah you can have a different one every night“. Lo and behold on Saturday night we spotted “Frank” and true to his word he had indeed pulled another model.  I should point out that neither of the awkward looking chancers pictured below are “Frank” – one is me, and the other kindly put up with me loitering round his flat for a week – we are both naturals in front of the camera.

At the centre of the Wan Chai throng a nondescript lift safely whisks you up one floor to Rockschool where “The Underground” run a bi-weekly event showcasing Hong Kong bands. Tourists, ex-pats, and actual locals pack in to enjoy a showcase of predominantly guitar based acts, not to mention beer at about half the price of the bars below. The Hong Kong Underground nights have already spawned two 22 track compilation CD’s with another due in mid April.
On the evening we were there, 5 bands were on the bill ranging from the slick Canto-Pop of The Heroes to a young Courtney Love fronted indie rock of A Six Pack of Wolves. Most perplexing of all were the unique musical stew of a Cambodian ex-Karaoke singer backed by surf/space rock & harmonica blues, otherwise known as The Cambodian Space Project (pic below).

The Cambodian Space Project – “Mondulkiri” (MP3) – Myspace / Youtube live

Veterans of the Hong Kong scene, Thinking Out Loud feature on The Underground’s 2nd compilation CD. Flamboyant front woman Chris B (below) is the obvious figure head but for me its the screaming Sax of someone called the Mysterious Mr B that turns “Rock’n'Roll Machine” into a force of nature in its final few minutes.
Described by Hong Kong Time Out as “Lo-fi post-punk with hi-fi ass-kicking ’tude“, if someone told me The Yours were the latest uber-cool punk rock band I’d believe them. Although with the obvious My Bloody Valentine influence maybe Dublin would be more appropriate.
So thats Cambodian rock, punk rock, indie rock, and lets add post-rock to that list with Elf Fatima. They opened for Mogwai in the past and list their influences as psychedelic, Noisenik and of course Post-Rock.

Thinking Out Loud – Myspace / Website
Thinking Out Loud – “Rock’n’Roll Machine Part 3″ (MP3)

The Yours – Myspace
The Yours – “Untitled #2″ (MP3)

Elf Fatima – Facebook / Myspace
Elf Fatima – “Your Mind Has Been Damaged” (MP3)

This article has to end somewhere but the danger is once you start exploring the music of a city you get sucked in by the sheer breadth of sounds on offer. Click on one band, and they lead you to a friend of theirs who leads to another whole scene, and so it never ends.

Jut this second I stumbled across Samson Young an avant-garde music and video artist who fuses an obsessive love for old-school video games with classical music concerts. Watch his composition for violin and Nintendo Gameboy in the video above.

“The Deer In The Lake” by The Kim Tak Building is a achingly beautiful piece of music that soothes your stresses away with delicate guitar and lush ambient washes. The band create all their music on the 6th floor of the building that gives them their name. BC magazine described it perfectly saying “the restrained emotion and sleep-slow pace …is in direct contrast to the bustle of the city. The music is an escape, a space in which to hide”. Their debut album was limited to 1,000 copies packaged in a hard-back, cloth-covered booklet with warped fantasy-style art. If anyone from the band or someone who knows them is reading this, are there any copies left, and where do I buy one!!!?? This is absolutely gorgeous!

The Kim Tak Building – Myspace / Website
The Kim Tak Building – “The Deer By The Lake” (MP3)

“Sinner” by The Projects may just be my favourite track from the whole trip. Its the sound of a secret supergroup featuring the throaty utterings of William Burroughs upfront, Duane Eddy on guitar and perhaps the Beatmasters or Kruder & Dorfmeister on production duties.
Its actually the work of one man, Simon Griffin who since moving to Hong Kong has formed or performed with three groups, The Projects, Sushi Robot and Violent Jokes.

The Projects – Myspace
The Projects – “Sinner” (MP3)

The Heavy combine running a monthly Dub Step night with putting out compilations strictly featuring only productions sourced from Hong Kong and Macau.
Speaking of Dubstep I almost forgot the KongCast, a weekly podcast of the finest Hong Kong & Worldwide drum’n'bass and dubstep. I’d have embedded the widget here but its autoplay and I cant think of many things more irritating things for a web page to feature than that. However you can sign up to their podcast over on KongKretebass.com.

Heavy Hong Kong – Myspace
Heavy Hong Kong – “Choice (feat. KC)” (MP3)

Wilson Tsang – Myspace
Wilson Tsang – “Hazy Mirror” (MP3)

Thierry Nkeli Faha – Myspace
Thierry Nkeli Faha – “Agbeto (Human Beings)” (MP3)

TBC

False Alarm – Myspace / Facebook
False Alarm – “Blood Love” (MP3)

The Room – Myspace
The Room – “Man1000″ (MP3)

TBC

PixelToy – Myspace
PixelToy – “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (MP3)

This year having moved departments I have to get my fix another way but getting 5 bands to play in every room of my house, and a couple more on the roof seemed a little extreme.  Instead I’ve been sampling the mind boggling 1000+ tracks posted on SXSW’s website by bands playing over the 5 days of music.
The video below follows Alice Russell and her band over a day, from mud baths to Sixth Street, its gives a little taster of what SXSW is like.

Obviously skimming through a 1000 tracks is pretty superficial so my recommendations are based not on how good they are live, or how fabulous the album is, but simply whether my attention was grabbed by one solitary track.

As someone indoctrinated to love Harpo Marx from an early age, where better to start than with a little Harp from ex Polyphonic Spree member Ricky Rasura. How does he describe what his music sounds like…? “Walking through the forest and everything is covered in dawn’s dew as the sun’s first rays appear on the horizon“.

Ricky Rasura – Myspace / Facebook Ricky Rasura – “Night Sin” (MP3)

Best known for 2007’s “I’ll Kill Her“, Soko has just moved to LA to write new material and hopefully wont be quitting music as she contemplated doing last year.

Soko – Facebook / Twitter Soko – “How Are You?” (MP3)

Julie Feeney’s follow up to her Irish Mercury award winning debut was recorded with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and she’ll no doubt enchant audiences at SXSW.

Julie Feeney – Facebook / Twitter
Julie Feeney – “Impossibly Beautiful” (MP3) / Youtube

The dozen or so members of the “big band” of Olinda, Brazil Orquestra Contemporanea De Olinda have by all accounts been wowing Brazil with their live performances for some years. SXSW goers should be in for a brass blasting afro latin treat.

Orquestra Contemporanea De Olinda – Myspace / Twitter
Orquestra Contemporanea De Olinda – “Canto da Sereia” (MP3)

After playing SXSW last year Outasight was snapped up by Warner Brothers so lets hope his blend of rock and hip-hop survives major label attention.

Outasight – Facebook / Myspace / Twitter
Outasight – “Catch Me If You Can” (MP3)

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PSYCHOSIS

How did I manage to get this far with barely a guitar in sight? One of the best moments of my SXSW trip was wandering into some blues bar and hearing a local band play a storming set BB King would be proud of!

Moreland & Arbuckle – Facebook / Twitter / Myspace
Moreland & Arbuckle – “Legend of John Henry” (MP3)

Rev KM Williams and The Amazing Trainreck – Twitter / Myspace
Rev KM Williams and The Amazing Trainreck – “Shake’em on Down Again” (MP3)

The Jim Jones Revue – Myspace /  Twitter
The Jim Jones Revue – “Rock’n'Roll Psychosis” (MP3)

Chilly Gonzales playing The Presbyterian Church (featured towards end of video above) would be the show at this years SXSW I’d kill to get to.
A live performer, entertainer and educator like no other, I’m yet to hear a duff note let a lone see a duff show in all the times Ive seen him. Just dont call his tracks “useless and boring!“

Gonzales – Facebook / Twitter
Gonzales – “Pianist Envy (Mixtape)” (MP3) – Piano reworking of Daft Punk, Rocky samples, Beyonce and more..definitely not boring.

MAKING HIP HOP COOL AGAIN

Oddisee – Myspace / Twitter / Blog
Oddisee – “Hip Hop’s Cool Again” (MP3)

David Dallas – Myspace / Twitter
David Dallas – “Indulge Me” (MP3)

Themselves – “Roman Is As Roman Does” (MP3)

Hopefully I’ll return to this post later as there’s another 110ish tracks I wanted to mention but if I dont post something now SXSW will be over! If you want to sample 127 tracks from artists performing at SXSW click the link below:

SXSW 2010 Showcasing Artists – Click here to download ZIP

My initial slightly tongue in cheek tweet doesn’t really communicate just how depressing news that the BBC “could” be set to cut two of its digital stations really is.
The loss of BBC 6Music and The Asian Network may only directly effect around a million listeners but the decision would have huge ramifications on everything from the viability of up and coming new bands, the BBC’s relevance to ethnic minorities, and the future of DAB Digital Radio.

It would signal a betrayal by Mark Thompson of the very reasons the BBC exists, ie to represent and provide for EVERYONE irrespective of commercial cost, niche or minority. Perhaps its a sop to a potential incoming Conservative government or to the Murdoch press who broke the story describing the BBC as “Big, Bloated and Cunning“. If so its naive, Murdoch doesn’t dislike a “bloated BBC” its the BBC as a concept, as a public service that he considers disgusting. The idea that for around the price of a Sky Sports subscription people can get TV, national and local radio, iplayer, and a world respected website all without the proprietors enforced political bias is anathema to the man.
Snivelling cockwheasel Tory Shadow Culture minister Ed Vaizey greeted the closures as both “intelligent and sensible“. In 2009 The Sun switched its support to The Conservatives.

Jarvis Cocker’s Sunday Service – “Valentines Day Special” (MP3) 1hr 50mins

The Divine Comedy – “A Lady Of A Certain Age” (6music Session) (MP3)

DJ Cable – “BBC Asian Network Hype Mixtape Challenge” (MP3) / tracklist

Listen below to Richard Bacon on 6music giving his views on the BBC axing a jewel in its crown… Amanda Holden’s Big Top comedy series

As my earlier tweet hinted Im by no means an evangelical 6music listener but the station has carved out a niche particularly for unsigned and up and coming new acts.  Its live sessions in particular have provided a first breakthrough for countless bands who quite simply wouldn’t be heard without it.

The Asian Network is even more vital for acts with much less chance of exposure and by extension ability to earn a living.  The stations South Asian remit takes in everything from Bhangra to Bollywood and the British Asian Underground, all styles unlikely to trouble the airwaves anywhere other than on The Asian network.
And its not just about exposure, Performing Rights Society (PRS) money paid per play on stations like 1xtra and Asian Network provide financial support to artists. Pirate radio, and most commercial stations don’t pay out for plays in the same way the BBC stations do so its closure could end careers, and starve scenes of both exposure and an income.

The Asian Network also serves a section of licence fee payers arguably under-represented by Auntie. The cost per listener may be fairly high at the moment but the cost of its loss in terms of minority communities feeling any connection with the BBC could be even greater.

Leaving aside George Lamb, 6music has begun to fulfil the dreamed for potential of being the station John Peel would have wished for and less the one your middle of the road dad would appreciate. There’s a long way to go until Peel would truly have approved but recruiting people like Jarvis Cocker who’s a musically respected name, rather than just a name is a step in the right direction.  Take a listen to the Jarvis Cockers Valentines Day special for an example of a wonderfully diverse, intelligent piece of radio at its best.

In The Guardian Phil Jupitas explains how the stations eclectic output simply isnt available anywhere else on the dial. Particularly during the day commercial stations who lack the freedom afforded by licence fee backing have no option but to pump out the most popular mainstream music possible. Like any other station 6music has a playlist that forms the bedrock of its output but DJ’s on the channel are also allowed to play their own choices irrespective of style.

“I once bumped into one of my main competitors from commercial breakfast radio on a train. As we chatted, I bemoaned the fact that we only got nine free choices per show. He looked at me somewhat crestfallen and said “I get one … a week.” Phil Jupitas

As far as I’m concerned 6music is worth the 6 million pounds (or 10 x Chris Moyles paycheck) a year just for providing a home to Adam Buxton and Jake Cornish. I listen to the music free podcast rather than the live show, partly because if Im honest I find the music a little bland.  All I can say is whoever penned the old joke about “these arnt wrinkles, theyre laughter lines…. REPLY: Nothings that funny!” never subscribed to the A&J 6music podcast. Watch A&J NWA cover “Help The Police”.

“I was going to buy a digital radio next week. If they get rid of BBC 6music I might as well not fucking bother.” Charlie Brooker on Twitter

DAB Digital Radio will also be badly hit by the loss of two of its most high profile stations. How many people who bought digital radio’s would like Charlie Brooker of thought twice without particularly 6music.  As with TV, the government will no doubt be keen to sell off the analogue radio spectrum once the digital switchover is feasible at around the 50% take up point.  The figure has barely broken 20% as yet so DAB itself could be fatally undermined by this ill conceived plan.

When The Times leaked news of 6music’s possible closure SaveBBC6music immediately began trending in the top 10 Worldwide tweets and Facebook groups sprang up dedicated to demonstrating the strength of feeling among its 700,000 listeners.
Hopefully the thousands of “Save6music” campaigners will shout equally loudly for the Asian Network too. By demographic coincidence 6music’s largest listening type, 30something white middle class males happen to also be the type likely to spend inordinate amounts of time tweeting, blogging and updating their facebook status. I’m in no way knocking the wonderful outpouring of support 6music has received but DJ’s like Bobby Friction or Pathaan’s Musical Rickshaw on The Asian Network are as much musical champions of the unchampioned as Steve Lamacq on 6Music is.
Their survival is about fighting for musical diversity and as such the two stations are intertwined as a cause. Anyone who’s a truly a music lover should be equally passionate about the survival of both.

Twitter users: Add a SAVE 6 MUSIC & THE ASIAN NETWORK twibbon to your twitter picture here
Facebook SaveAsianNetwork / Save6music
Submit a complaint to the BBC

The Guardian – If the BBC closes 6Music it will be because it cares more about listening figures than fulfilling its public service remit
Phil Jupitas talks about his time on 6music and why its wrong to close it

As a BBC staff member I should to declare an interest, but my main interest is in musical diversity. An example being the new scheme set up by the BBC Introducing team who’ve given vital exposure to new bands across the nation. The volume of music uploaded to the Introducing website has been phenomenal, and as the BBC has a duty to listen to it all they’ve recruited music fans from any part of the BBC. The upshot, I’m assigned a local radio station area and while Im munching my baguette at lunchtime I can listen to anything uploaded from that location. You can’t fast forward or skip tracks but its a privilege to get to hear such a wide variety of music. If in my humble opinion I think a track is worthy of consideration for airplay I can click a button to forward the song on to the Introducing show for that part of the country. They are totally free to ignore my recommendations but it is to borrow The Times’ phrase “a cunning” way of ensuring as much music as possible gets listened to, and where possible given vital exposure.

Ryan (StopMe): Okay so it’s mid February and at least a month late but I’ve finally finished my Top 100 Tracks Of 2009 (Read 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 here). I’ve not posted much here in recent months due to a hectic new job but I hope to get back to regular updates soon.
Here’s a link to download the top 20 as a Zip file (But do buy the albums from whence the tracks came if you like them, I’ve included links!):

Stop Me’s Top 100 Tracks Of 2009 (Top 20) Zip

I’ve also included links to download anything else that seemed to be sold-out or not easily available below. Without further ado…

1. JAMIE T – Sticks ‘n’ Stones
“I was a ten a day, how’d you say, little shit, White-Lightning, heightening all my courage, quick wit”
Jamie T’s second album was so comprehensively better than his debut that I was overjoyed. ‘Sticks ‘n’ Stones’ was the best of an embarresment of riches. The irresistable beat has had me dancing around many a time and the lyric is his best and most intricate yet.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

2. GENERATIONALS – When They Fight They Fight
“And when they fight, they fight, and when they come home at night they say, I love you, baby”
Indie duo record the best record Phil Spektor song never made. Horn, handclaps, whistles and gorgeous vocals combine to make pure magic.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

3. THE DUCKWORTH LEWIS METHOD – The Age Of Revolution
“Princes and lawyers played with the English elite, years of repression started a noise from the streets”
Neil Hannon’s new band examine colonial history through the prism of cricket. The accompanying music is an intoxicating brew of terribly English Jazz and “Skankin’” Dub which is as it should be.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

4. THE MELTING ICE CAPS – A Good Night
“Anyone who says Shoreditch folk are arseholes has obviously never tried playing an indie gig in a pub in Colchester, or at Cambridge University”
I’m not sure when this was recorded, but I found it this year on The Melting Ice Caps’ site listed under ‘Other Songs’. David’s spoken word narration is an hilarious peaen to London and he can break hearts when the chorus comes in at the end.
(Download) (MySpace)

5. THE CRIBS – City Of Bugs
“It came to me like a voice from above, or like a message in praise of platonic love”
‘City Of Bugs’ is The Cribs bid for epic Indie from their best album to date. Feedback squeals and Ryan Jarman delivers a rich vocal to rival Iggy Pop’s ‘The Passenger’.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

6. THE DURITTI COLUMN – In Memory Of Anthony
“You set alight my musical desires, and there’s no end to these flames, these are my eternal fires”
This is a stiring tribute from Vini to the late great Anthony H Wilson. It comes off like a lethargic Rolling Stones trying to play House music in a gospel church.
(Buy) (MySpace)

7. DAN AUERBACH – Heartbroken, In Disrepair
“Searching for light, gasping for air, heartbroken, in disrepair”
The Black Keys front man lays down a howling tune on his solo record.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

8. JAY-Z – My President Is Black (DC Mix)
“My President is black, infact he’s half white, so even in a racist mind, he’s half right”
The joy contained in this Obama tribute Rap is totally infectious. I just hope Obama doesn’t sour my opinion of this song by making a total fuck-up out of his presidency!
(Download) (YouTube) (MySpace)

9. SPEECH DEBELLE – The Key
“The only real difference is you slyer than me, your need for attention makes you attract the beef”
Her debut richly deserved the Mercuty Prize when it boasts Jazz/Rap as good as the ‘The Key’.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

10. TRANSIT – C’Mon & Ride
“C’mon and ride the M.T.A, yes we’re going your way”
The best track from Jack White’s Third Man label was this lush soul gem by Nashville’s Metro Transit Authority workers.
(Buy) (Website)

11. BRAKES – Two Shocks
“Give me two shakes give me one shake twice, well you knew it was coming so don’t act surprised”
‘Two Shocks’ morphs from a catchy Indie song into a pounding Rock monster.
(Buy) (MySpace)

12. KASABIAN – Vlad The Impaler
“All my friends are as sharp as razors, cut you down if you touch the faders”
I love the interesting production flourishes Kasabian use like what sounds like tinkling glass on ‘Vlad The Impaler’.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

13. DIZZEE RASCAL – Bonkers
“And all I care about is sex and violence, and a heavy bass line is my kind of silence”
This year belonged to Dizzee as he finally lived up to all that promise.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

14. NICKEL EYE – Brandy Of The Damned
“Don’t let them get you down, they’ll step on you to get to higher ground”
Who new the quite one from The Strokes had a voice like Leonard Cohen and tunes as good as this.
(Buy) (MySpace)

15. THE DEAD WEATHER – Treat Me Like Your Mother
“Come on look me in the eye, you wanna try to tell a lie”
‘Treat Me Like Your Mother’ features the furious drumming of Jack White probably proving he’s the most multi-talented person that ever lived.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

16. YEAH YEAH YEAHS – Zero
“Shake it, like a ladder to the sun, makes me feel like a madman on the run”
YYY throw out the Guitars and bring in the Synths, resulting in sheer genius.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

17. GOSSIP – Dimestore Diamond
“Everybody knows just where she gets her clothes, a water coloured painting in a Renoir pose”
Their latest album doesn’t seem to have been as successful as the last which odd considering it’s crammed with pulsating Dance-Rock like ‘Dimestore Diamond’.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

18. WAVE MACHINES – Keep The Lights On
“The night’s too long, so, when we sleep, I keep the lights on”
‘Keep The Lights On’ is like a vintage 80s Pop single.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

19. DAN DEACON – Woof Woof
“Instrumental”
‘Woof Woof’ sounds like The Flaming Lips meeting the looney tunes
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

20. REGINA SPEKTOR – Laughing With
“No one laughs at God in a hospital, no one laughs at God in a war, no one’s laughing at God, when they’re starving or freezing or so very poor”
Regina comes back with yet another quirky and beautiful Piano masterpiece.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

21. CASIOKIDS – Fot I Hose
“Instrumental”
‘Fot I Hose’ has a head crushing Bass sound combined with ace Surf Guitars.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

22. BECK – Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
“You know it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine”
Beck performs a rare miracle and improves on a Dylan original.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

23. LADY GAGA – Paparazzi
“We are the crowd, we’re c-coming out, got my flash on it’s true, need that picture of you”
Her glitzy performance of ‘Paparazzi’ at Glastonbury bowled me over after my initial instinctive resistance.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

24. COOKIN’ ON 3 BURNERS – This Girl (Feat. Kylie Auldist)
“Money rains from the sky above, but keep the change ’cause I got enough”
The production on ‘This Girl’ envelopes your ears in a rich golden Soul sound and Kylie vocals are of course gorgeous.
(Buy) (MySpace)

25. ASHER ROTH – I Love College
“Yeah, of course I learned some rules, like don’t pass out with your shoes on, and don’t leave the house ’til the booze gone”
‘I Love Collage’ is a glorious beer stained Rap ode to student living.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

26. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – The Wrestler
“Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free, if you’ve ever seen a one trick pony then you’ve seen me”
I couldn’t get in to his new album but this soundtrack song almost had me blubbing big manly tears.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

27. THE BIG PINK – Dominos
“Three words we shared, said too early on, stuck with forever to the point of tears”
‘Dominos’ is like an Indie take on a humming Tibetan mantra.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

28. RICHARD HAWLEY – Remorse Code
“You’re caught in the net, fathoms deep in regret”
His new album was a return to form and for me ‘Remorse Code’ was the epic peak.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

29. NEIL YOUNG – Fork In The Road
“There’s a bailout coming but it’s not for me, it’s for all those creeps watching tickers on TV”
His superb new album proves that Neil can still Rock, with a grumpy rattlers like this.
(Buy) (MySpace)

30. THE DUKE & THE KING – If You Ever Get Famous
“If you ever get famous don’t forget about me, I hope it’s everything that you thought it would be”
‘If You Ever Get Famous’ is an almost unspeakably gorgeous Rock ballad.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

31. JULIAN CASABLANCAS – 11th Dimension
“I just nod, I’ve never been so good at shaking hands, I live on the frozen surface of a fireball”
The Strokes side project everyone was waiting for didn’t disappoint.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

32. MANIC STREET PREACHERS – Jackie Collins Existential Question Time
“A situationist sisterhood of Jackie and Joan, separates us the questions without a home”
The best track from the Manic’s latest LP with one of the most catchy and bizarre choruses ever.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

33. Matty G – Keep Walking
“Instrumental”
‘Keep Walking’ is a super cool re-edit of the Isaac Hayes classic ‘Walk On By’.
(Download) (MySpace)

34. DJ HELL – The DJ (Feat. P.Diddy)
“This goes out to all the muthafuckas that like 15/20 minute versions of a muthafuckin’ record”
The years most unlikely guest spot was one of the best, just try not jackin’ your body to it’s Dance Vibes.
(Buy) (MySpace)

35. BILL CALLAHAN – Jim Cain
“I started out in search of ordinary things, how much of a tree bends in the wind”
The best song that Lambchop never recorded, with a vocal like golden syrup.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

36. KID CUDI – Day ‘N’ Nite
“The lonely nights, they fade away, he slips into his white Nikes, he smokes a clip and then he’s on the way”
The best track from Kid Cudi’s debut album is this hypnotic Hip-Hop tune.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

37. GABLÉ – I’m Ok
“I’m really fine, I’m well balanced, I’m okay, I’m okay”
‘I’m Ok’ is unhinged Indie that is as crazy as it is brilliant.
(Buy) (MySpace)

38. ALELA DIANE – White As Diamonds
“I’ve known mornings white as diamonds, silent from a night so cold”
With a voice as pure as snow and a song this beautiful how can you resist.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

39. M.I.A. & A R RAHMAN – O… Saya
“Pick up the packs on my journey, dogs run, they start to follow me”
M.I.A’s amount of guest appearances is staggering and this ‘Slumdog
Millionaire’ cut was the best.
(Buy) (MySpace)

40. CAMERA OBSCURA – French Navy
“Spent a week in a dusty library, waiting for some words to jump at me, we met by a trick of fate, french navy my sailor mate”
I still adore this slice of Pop perfection despite the fact that it is played three times every night where I work.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

41. EMPIRE OF THE SUN – Half Mast
“Make amends and I will stand until the end, a million times a trillion more”
Shiny Pop-Rock so catchy it should be marketed as fishing equipment.
(Buy) (MySpace)

42. PRINCE – Crimson & Clover
“I don’t hardly know her, but I think I could love her, I hope she walks over, ’cause I’ve been waiting to show her”
Prince continues his run of good form with epic Guitar melting cover of the 60s original by Tommy James & The Shondells.
(Download) (YouTube) (Website)

43. SERGEANT BUZFUZ – Here Come The Popes (Part 3)
“Nicholas The Second said it was more of a crime, for a priest to marry, than to have a concubine”
The chequered history of the papal order is recounted against Indie majesty.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

44. SIMON INDELICATE – I Don’t Care If It’s True (Demo)
“You can dissect a heart, and you can dissect a dove, but you would never deserve, a single spec of peace or love”
A gorgeous from Simon’s possibly fictious Musical ‘David Koresh Superstar’.
(Download) (MySpace)

45. MIKA – We Are Golden (Calvin Harris Vocal)
“Teenage dreams in a teenage circus, running around like a clown on purpose”
He has his haters but I adore Mika’s line of sunkissed super camp Pop.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

46. BISHOP ALLEN – The Lion & The Teacup
“He was the sun, he was the moon, he was a rat in two bit shoes”
Brilliantly catchy Indie and it always reminds me of the soundtrack to classic computer game ‘Monkey Island’.
(Buy) (MySpace)

47. JOHN ZORN – Los Cristeros
“Instrumental”
Bask in the sorrowful Spanish Guitar from this Documentary Soundtrack instrumental about Mexican Dictator Plutarco Elias Calles.
(Buy) (MySpace)

48. MADNESS – NW5
“Though you have become a burden, one thing remains, thats for certain, I will love you all my life, but without you in my life”
‘NW5′ ranks along side the very best tracks from their hayday.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

49. BLOC PARTY – One More Chance
“This time things will be different and you’re gonna see”
The last LP was a dull affair but the unstoppable House Piano on this follow up single was anything but.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

50. BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS – Sugarfoot
“Can I come over singin’ tonight, I promise that you’ll be feelin’ right”
‘Sugarfoot’ is magic Soul/Funk/Blues from start to finish.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

51. N.A.S.A. – Spacious Thoughts (Feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)
“Good can’t help but do a little evil, evil can’t help but do a little good”
It was a wrench to pick just one cut from N.A.S.A’s superb and stupidly guest heavy album. This mad Blues/Rap cut gets the prize.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

52. THE STREETS – Trust Me
“I see Alice in Wonderland, I see malice in Sunderland”
A tasty free download easing anticipation of new album to wipe away memories of Mike’s lacklustre last Lp.
(Download) (MySpace)

53. NEW YORK DOLLS – ‘Cause I Sez So
“Takin’ pretty pictures everywhere I go, Orwell in the bathroom watching me go”
This proved despite their age (And absence of complete original line up) the Dolls can still Rawwwwk with the best of them.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

54. DJ SHEPDOG – Limb By Limb (Militia Mix)
“You know I and I is dynamite, when me hold microphone, I strictly truth or right”
‘Cut Ups, Bruck Ups & Muck Ups’ was the compilation of the year and this raucous booty-shakin’ Dancehall bootleg of Cutty Ranks’ 1993 track was the highlight.
(Download) (MySpace)

55. THOM YORKE – All For The Best
“Waking up and the bed was made, no one looked me in the eye”
Thom covers Mark Mulcahy To stunning effect, it sounds a bit like Radiohead (Naturally).
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

56. THE BOY FROM SPACE – Come Home
“Come home where the air is free, come home and live with me”
An indie single as warm and comforting as a glass of mulled wine and a roaring fire.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

57. PASSION PIT – Sleepyhead (Bo Flex Giantess Remix)
“Like stars burning holes right through the dark, flicking fire like saltwater into my eyes”
The original version left me cold (It seems I was very much in a minority) but this sparkling Remix blows me away.
(Download) (YouTube) (MySpace)

58. SABBO – Spanish Fly (Feat. MC Zulu) (Noiz In Zion Mix)
“Wanna get you out of that dress, so here’s your ticket to ride, you and I become the Spanish Fly”
‘Spanish Fly’ is a awesome neck snappin’ Dancehall cut.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

59. THE PRODIGY – Warrior’s Dance
“Come with me to the dance floor, you and me ’cause that’s what it’s for”
At first I wasn’t sure but I grew to lobe this amazing return to form.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

60. DAN BLACK – Poet
“I have to be fearless, have to be tearless, look into my eyes, maybe you can feel this”
Dan writes b-sides every bit as good as his A-sides and ‘Poet’ is my favourite.
(Buy) (MySpace)

61. THE VERY BEST – Kamphopo
“?”
‘Kamphopo’ will have you playing the Air-Steel-Drums as you move your body.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

62. THE THIRD DEGREE – Mercy
“I love you, but I gotta stay true, my morals got me on my knees, I’m begging please stop playing games”
A Northern Soul take on Duffy’s Uber hit that sounds so authentic you’d swear she’d actually ripped of this vintage 60’s groove.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

63. TODDLA T – Rice & Peas (Feat. Mr Versatile)
“Rice and peas and chicken is nice, tastes so good , me ‘ave to ‘ave it twice”
I loved the delirious mess of genres on Toddla T’s LP and ‘Rice & Peas’ is my favourite cut.
(Buy) (MySpace)

64. SAM McCARTHY – Cherrytree
“There for the first time in the setting sun shine, well it felt like we belonged”
‘Cherrytree’ is Alt-Country ballad that’ll have you line dancing round your local Indie club.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

65. DAN SARTAIN – Bohemian Grove (Feat. Jack White)
“”
Another essential 45 courtesy of Jack White’s label. When is Dan gonna be hailed as a mega star?
(Buy) (MySpace)

66. DIRTY PROJECTORS & DAVID BYRNE – Knotty Pine
“Here is the sound that photographs make, when I see them, when I hear them”
‘Dark Was The Night’ was one of the compilations of the year and ‘Knotty Pine’ was the highlight.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

67. ONE ESKIMO – Kandi (Eat More Cake Mix)
“You’ve been my queen for longer than you know, my love for you has been every step I take, every day I live, everything I see”
‘Kandi’ is a fantasy duet featuring a sample of Candi Staton with a gorgeous Balearic vibe.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

68. DARREN HAYMAN & THE SECONDARY MODERN – Compilation Cassette
“That was how we met, some things you never forget, I wrote down her address, and sent a compilation cassette”
Darren Hayman employs the Bazooki to stunning effect on this nostalgic Indie tune.
(Buy) (MySpace)

69. SHARON VAN ETTEN – For You
“I was whispering in my sleep, all the secrets that i’d keep, I told to you”
A gorgeous Acoustic ballad with a mournful tune so good you can whistle along.
(Download) (YouTube) (MySpace)

70. MONGREL – The Menace
“Fundamentally, you’re a fundamentalist, kinda guy who wondrin’ who the real terror is”
John Maker’s political Rap-Rock side project was so much better than his day job.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

71. CIRCLESQUARE – Hey You Guys
“Quit before it widespread, learn to paint the town red”
Good god the Bass Guitar on this Indie/Dance tune is catchy.
(Buy) (MySpace)

72. NICK GARRIE – Twilight
“Midnight, here come those blues again, it’s alright I’m really on the mend”
‘Twilight’ is a sublime piece of vintage Pop-Rock.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

73. MR. HUDSON – There Will Be Tears
“I’ve no doubt there may be smiles, but a few, and when the tears have run out, we’ll be numb and blue”
Okay so the auto-tune sound isn’t to everyone’s taste but this still a beautiful song.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

74. POPULAR TYRE – East End After-Hours Blues
“Take a little sip of my cup of wine, do a little shimmy and I feel fine”
‘East End After-Hours Blues’ is a free and loose Blues/Bluegrass sing along.
(Download) (MySpace)

75. THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH – Pistol Dreams
“And deep into the orchard you will lead me by the skin of snakes, to let me know my sentence as they dry”
A beautiful Dylanesque song that I’ve been listening to all year.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

76. WE ROCK LIKE GIRLS DON’T – Don’t Know What Love Is
“I think you know, she wants me so”
Finally! I’ve been waiting for this band to bring out another tune that Rocked as hard as 2005’s ‘I Just Wanna Stick My Head In The Bass Drum’.
(Buy) (MySpace)

77. AFROZEN ORCHESTRA – Tongana
“?”
‘Tongana’ is summer sun on wax, Afrobeat to brighten your day.
(Buy) (MySpace)

78. CHAIN & THE GANG – Chain Gang Theme (I See Progress)
“I see progress in paint peeling, I see progress in leaky ceilings”
‘Chain Gang Theme (I See Progress)’ is deliciously demented Rock-a-Billy from a thrilling LP.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

79. THE DYNAMICS – Downtown Barkings (Afrosoul Edit)
“People them a hurry and a bustle, to many of them just a lookin’ for a trouble”
‘Downtown Barkings’ is easily the best thing the Reggae-Funkers have done so far.
(Buy) (MySpace)

80. ANT – Time I Was Gone
“I’ll catch that bus in the rush hour to my sisters for tea and biscuits, she can’t fix it, but she listens”
‘Time I Was Gone’ is an endlessly charming Indie ditty.
(Buy) (MySpace)

81. THE WHITEST BOY ALIVE – Island
“Lived through the smell of painted floors, echoing the sound of running water through the pipes, and posters falling down”
It was hard choosing just one Indie-Dance gem off of their album but ‘Island’ had it by a nose.
(Buy) (MySpace)

82. LA ROUX – In For The Kill (Skream’s Let’s Get Ravey Remix)
“Two hearts with accurate devotions, and what are feelings without emotions”
Skream takes La Roux’s only half decent song and turns it in to an abrasive Dubstep masterpiece.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

83. FEVER RAY – If I Had A Heart
“If I had a heart I could love you, if I had a voice I would sing, after the night when I wake up, I’ll see what tomorrow brings”
Like the humming of some vast Alien machine, ‘If I Had A Heart’ is hypnotically brilliant.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

84. THE MARS VOLTA – Cotopaxi
“When Sanskrit was my mother tongue, Scarabs filled my pillow”
‘Cotopaxi’ is another great spaced-out Jazz-Metal cut from Messers blah and blah.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

85. JAY’S SOUL CONNECTION – Frankie’s Party Life
“Ordered some Patreezy, while talkin’ to this breezy, brushin’ off my three-piece, I make this look too easy”
I love ‘Frankie’s Party Life’s melding of Jay-Z and the funky soul of Lefties Soul Connection (Tops anything off Jigga’s new LP).
(Download) (MySpace)

86. MILK KAN – 21st Century Love
“A sweet kiss mixed with a rum taste, and for now I was the wrong kid in the right place”
’21st Century Love’ is a witty cut from one of the albums of the year.
(Buy) (MySpace)

87. SLOW DOWN TALLAHASSEE – Angel Of Death
“I wish you were in my bed, I wish all my friends were dead”
I’d say the music of ‘Angel Of Death’ is like a fun bouncy castle, except the lyrics suggest it’s been inflated with deadly poison gas.
(Download) (MySpace)

88. SHUTTLE – Rotten Guts (Feat. Cadence Weapon)
“That mind alert, cold war veteran”
‘Rotten Guts’ is blisteringly quick Electro/Hip-Hop/Pop.
(Buy) (MySpace)

89. ALASDAIR ROBERTS – You Muses Assist
“You muses, you muses assist, all downtrodden spirits uplift”
With the graceful air of vintage English Folk ‘You Muses Assist’ is gorgeous.
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90. FAGGET FAIRYS – Feed The Horse (Extended Dub)
“I love my girls, I like them big on the top, big on the buttom too, feed the horse”
The simple pleasures of ‘Feed The Horse’ are chiefly it’s Toe-tapping beats and it’s naughty chorus that sounds a lot like “Feed the whores yum yum!”.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

91. NEAL CASAL – Back To Haunt You
“Should I even lift a finger and try to get along, get along like a river and a thunder storm”
‘Back To Haunt You’ is like a great Chris Isaac song, rich and seductive.
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92. WILLIAM ELLIOT WHITMORE – Mutiny
“Well the captain’s been drinking below the deck, and this vessel’s headed way off course, I want to wrap my hands around his crooked neck, and throw him overboard”
‘Mutiny’ is a gravelled voiced sea shanty climaxing with brilliant shouts of “Let the muthafucka burn!”.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

93. CURTIS PLUM – Call My Cellphone
“I’ll call you up in the middle of the night, check out my new cellphone, it’s so tight”
‘Call My Cellphone’ is throughly daft and totally addictive Hip-Hop.
(Download) (YouTube) (MySpace)

94. FORT KNOX FIVE – Funk 4 Peace (Feat. Mustafa Akbar & Shunda K)
(Nick Thayer Remix)
“You got to turn the music up, it’s time to release, turn the music up, lets vote for peace”
There were so many amazing remixes of Fort Knox Five this year that it was hard chosing just the chunky beats of ‘Funk 4 Peace’.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

95. BEASTIE BOYS – Too Many Rappers (Feat. Nas)
“With Beastie Boys we can turn it out, perpetrators we can point ‘em out, so if you got somethin’ on your mind let it out”
As an early taster of the forthcoming album, ‘Too Many Rappers’ has left me pretty damn excited.
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96. PATRICK WOLF – Hard Times
“Divided nation, in sedation, overload of information, that we have grown up to ignore, mediocrity applauded”
With it’s stinging strings and scowling lyrics ‘Hard Times’ was easily the best track from Patrick’s latest LP.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

97. CLAIRE HUX – Fucked Up
“It feels like a movie babe, it burns slow, gonna let it go”
‘Fucked Up’ was produced by Thom Yorke and sounds not unlike Radiohead covering Prince.
(Download) (MySpace)

98. THE HEAVY – How You Like Me Now?
“If I was to cheat, would you see right through me?”
I’ve included ‘How You Like Me Now?’ because firstly it’s an awesome Funky cut and secondly because I got to sing a couple of improvised lines at their Rough Trade instore (I nearly died of embarrassment btw).
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

99. HANDSOME FURS – Talking Hotel Arbat Blues
“There was a guy who came in from the cold but he’s never gonna get past face control”
‘Talking Hotel Arbat Blues’ is like Elvis Costello diggin’ on Suicide’s first LP.
(Buy) (YouTube) (MySpace)

100. BAT FOR LASHES – Sleep Alone
“Give my soul, give my soul, sing it free across the sea, lonely spell to conjure you, but conjure hell is all I do”
‘Sleep Alone’ is like some otherworldly music drifting through a snowy night.
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