Ryan (StopMe): Still recovering from the heatwave? Still reeling from Murray’s defeat? Well no matter, because here are ten more tunes to soothe those summertime blues:

Apostle Of Hustle has to be one of the best band names ever and luckily they’ve got the music to back it up. ‘Eazy Speaks’ is frenetic catchy Indie with plenty of sharp lyrics like “Keep your friends close, enemy closer, kiss on the cheek from a punk ass poser”.

Chicks On Speed are back again with brand new album ‘Cutting The Edge’. ‘Art Rules’ features their trademark witty rapping with a shiny Dance-Pop production worthy of Chris Lowe.

‘Helpmesaveme’ is from Father Abraham’s excellent and totally free to download ‘I Am Not A Sailor I Am The Captain’ LP. It was a toss up between this and ‘Spacemarch’ but really the whole album is genius (Thanks to Neil for the tip).

Generationals have cunningly blended Arcade Fire style Epic Indie with a glorious Motown-esque production sound. ‘When They Fight They Fight’ is drenched with Brass, Bass-Guitar, hand-claps and sunshine.

The Grizzly Owls have kindly made their new ‘I Am A Shootist’ EP available for free. All four tracks feature shimmering, beautiful, Americana-Folk but for me, the title track is the best one.

‘Sixteen’ is the latest track I’m hearing from The Heavy’s eagerly anticipated new album. It combines the raw Soul power of the vocals with a darkly Funky fairground waltz.

(MLD): As a bonus treat here’s an edition of Solid Steel featured on the blog a couple of years back in which The Heavy play some of the tracks that influenced them, ie lots of  Zepellin, Stooges, The Beatles, Muddy Waters and Ghostface Killah.

The Heavy – “Solid Steel (27/07/07)” (MP3) – full tracklisting

After thirty-odd years, Nashville singer Larry Jon Wilson has just made the album of his career, and has appropriately called it simply ‘Larry Jon Wilson’. The majestic ‘Shoulders’ is so intimate and quietly powerful that your lip may be wobbling by the end.

The Lemonheads ninth album is a collection of covers called ‘Varshons’. They deliver a cracking version of Townes Van Zandt’s mournful Country-Blues song ‘Waiting Around To Die’.

‘Cotopaxi’ is from The Mars Volta’s fifth and possibly best LP ‘Octahedron’. Refreshingly, it’s tighter and rocks allot harder than some of their indulgent “Jazz-Odyssey” material while retaining their superb apocalyptic lyrics.

Southside Steppers new double A-side single is the latest essential release on Soul Jazz. The second cut ‘Super Storm Decay’ is like the best thing Tricky never made. It has to be my tune of the week.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A ZIP CONTAINING ALL TEN MP3s

Apostle Of Hustle MySpace / Purchase
Chicks On Speed MySpace / Purchase
Father Abraham MySpace / Download
Generationals MySpace / Purchase
Larry Jon Wilson MySpace / Purchase
Southside Steppers MySpace / Purchase
The Grizzly Owls MySpace / Download
The Heavy MySpace / Purchase
The Lemonheads MySpace / Purchase
The Mars Volta MySpace / Purchase

Here is the video for The Heavy’s ‘Sixteen’:

For inclusion in future TEN4SE7ENS send CD’s/bribes etc to:
Ryan McAvoy, 2 Holme Park, Carlisle, CA4 8AD, UK

Ryan (StopMe): I’ve spent every minute I could spare this weekend either watching Wimbledon, watching Glastonbury or indulging in the odd glass of ice-cold Pimms. From my armchair, the highlights of the festival seemed to be every second of Florence & The Machine’s set, Springsteen’s surprise appearance with The Gaslight Anthem, Lady Gaga’s smashed-mirror-dress-Glam-Pop-extravaganza and Dizzee Rascal sending the crowd literally ‘Bonkers’.

There probably aren’t many bands that would think of writing a delightful Pop-Folk song touching on the subject of cum (Except maybe The Hidden Cameras). Well, Avi Buffalo did and ‘Summer Cum’ is a music box ditty with some truly strange yet charming lyrics.

‘Dimestore Diamond’ is the explosive opener to Gossip’s superb new ‘Music For Men’ LP. It’s got the meaty power of an Ali right-hook with sizzling Bass and Beth Ditto’s vocals are like velvet.

One of the best things I saw on this weekend’s Glasto coverage was Jason Mraz’s performance of ‘I’m Yours’. It’s a Pop song filled to the brim with good vibes and sunshine

‘International Broadcaster’ is from Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s latest album. It brings to mind a Hip-Hop remix of The Special’s ‘Ghost Town’ with Roots Manuva and L.S.K contributing fantastic guest spots.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry featuring Roots Manuva & LSK – “International Broadcaster” (MP3)

Lord Cut-Glass’ Folk delight ‘Holy Fuck’ features sublime lines like “The truth to me seems fair, a Faustian despair, that I love you much more than you can bare”. It’s like a beautiful summer meadow… with razorblades hidden in the grass.

The Patrick Alavi Remix of ‘Faites Vos Jeux’ ditches the Electronica of Modernaire’s original in favour of distinctive Tribal minimalism. It retains the incredible Indie-Rap vocal which features some of the best sounding lyrics I’ve heard all year. like “Apparently murder is out of fashion, so I got put away for a crime of passion”.

Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens deliver pure vintage Gospel on the Daptone label. You can hear the church Organ, see the pulpit and smell the prayer books on their heavenly version of The Swan Silvertones’ ‘Trouble In My Way’.

Regina Spektor keeps coming up with goods year after year. Her own brand of quirky and thoughful Piano ballads just keep getting better and ‘Laughing With’ is no exception.

Robert Pollard featured in last week’s TEN4SE7EN with his Cosmos project. This week I’m adoring a solo cut called ‘It’s Easy’ that channels the best of sun drenched 60s Psychedelic Pop.

‘Don’t Know What Love Is’ is the first thing I’ve heard by We Rock Like Girls Don’t since the legendary sonic assault of 2005 single ‘I Just Wanna Stick My Head In The Bass Drum’. It’s got the same Grunge fury and sneering feline vocals that I loved in the first place.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A ZIP CONTAINING ALL TEN MP3s

Avi Buffalo MySpace
Gossip MySpace / Purchase
Jason Mraz MySpace / Purchase
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry MySpace / Purchase
Lord Cut-Glass MySpace / Purchase
Modernaire MySpace / Purchase
Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens MySpace / Purchase
Regina Spektor MySpace / Purchase
Robert Pollard MySpace / Purchase
We Rock Like Girls Don’t MySpace / Purchase

Here’s a great live video of Jason Mraz performing ‘I’m Yours’ (His Glasto version was better but I can’t find it yet):

Also, here is the wonderful video for Regina Spektor’s ‘Laughing With’:

“I am in mourning for your face/ The one I used to love to see/ Leaping, glowing upon the stage/ The mike eager…/ Thrusting in your fist.
I am in mourning for your face/ the shining eyes/ the happy teeth/ the look that said/ I am the world/ and aren’t you glad/ Not to mention deeply in luck…
Oh, my pretty little brother. Genius. Child. Sing to us. Dance./ Rest in Peace.”
taken from ‘Natural Star‘ by Alice Walker

Questlove – “I think its time we let him rest in peace and learn to separate the ART and the ARTIST. –that is the MJ i will forever remember.”
Quincy Jones: “I’ve lost my little brother today, and my soul has gone with him.”

Read:
BBC News – Obituary
Guardian: the child star haunted by fame and scandel / the natural successor to Elvis
Lisa Marie Presley says Michael worried he’d die like her dad – “I’m afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did“
Paul Gambaccini looks back on Jackson’s life
A tribute to my friend, Michael Jackson by Deepak Chopra
The Secret behind the Moonwalker lean dance move (its all in the shoes)
How Perez Hilton reported the news – “either he’s lying or making himself sick… he’s pulled this stunt before”

Listen:
BBC 1Xtra – 30 minute documentary looking at Michael’s life, from the early years up till now. (Click to listen)
Jackson 5 – “Its Great To Be Here” (MP3)
Michael Jackson – “I Can’t Help It (tangoterje mix)” (MP3)
Shinehead – “Billie Jean” (MP3)
Justin Timberlake – “Cry Me A River” (MP3)

Listen below to Warning! Heat Ray! covering “Beat It” in 6/8, then read Ash’s thoughts on MJ “Fuck Cynicism, This Is Tragic”

The Game feat. Diddy, Chris Brown, Polo, Mario Winans Boyz II Men – “Better On The Other Side (MJ Tribute)” (MP3)

Video of Dwele covering Human Nature as a tribute to MJ (Lovely stuff)

Look:
Some beautiful pictures of MJ
BBC Audio Visual slideshow – MJ in his own words

Watch:
Newsnight Special on MJ’s death / Newsnight Review discuss MJ
Michael getting all geeky and admiring a film crews HD cameras…oh the Panasonic one is cool. (Nice vid)
Roberta Flack & Michael Jackson in 70’s kid film – He likes what he looks like, and doesnt have to change at all

The Making of Thriller (45 Minutes) (You.ju)

Fred Astaire stars in MJ’s Smooth Criminal – Video showing Astaire’s influence on MJ

The Origins of The Moonwalk

Louis, Martin & Michael – Louis Theroux documentary – trying to interview Michael Jackson (BBC)

James Brown, Michael Jackson & Prince (Google Video)

Michael Jackson – “Man In The Mirror”

Almost 10 years after they last performed as a four piece Blur announced their first two tiny reunion gigs via an unheralded email sent out to anyone subscribed to their mailing list. Inevitably they sold out in minutes, leaving many fans disappointed that getting ticket owed more to luck than dedication (personally I didn’t even know I was on the Blur mailing list!)

Since then more “secret” gigs have come and gone, with Rough Trade Records, Brixton Academy and Southend squeezed in between the original nostalgic double header of The East Anglian Railway Museum where they made their debut in 1988, and this show in the Student Union of Coxon, James, and Albarn’s old college, Goldsmiths.

And so at 7pm a queue snaked into Goldsmith’s Tienanmen building (the Winnie Mandela block was double booked) as a couple of hundred lucky people eagerly held out their arms for the blue plastic Blur wrist bands.  Inside the bar was five deep and by half past the beer taps were dry, leaving the NME’s reviewer to report that “many were forced to drink bottled cider or spirits“.  Quite how 200 thirty-something Blur fans out-drunk the student unions regular clientele remains unanswered?
According to the press a smattering of celebs were also in attendance including Jude Law, David Walliams melting in a suit, and Emma Watson moshing.  More impressively, the not remotely famous but very talented Pictish Trail was not only in the crowd, but after the gig caught two trains and two buses to take him back to Anstruther, Scotland by daybreak.  Now thats dedication! Check out his myspace here.

Even as someone who only “quite likes” Blur, the buzz of anticipation as 8pm approached was electrifying.  If asked I’d have denied taking Oasis’s side in the great BritPop war of 95, I’d have glossed over posting a track on this blog called “Damon Albarn is a pompous c**t” and I certainly wouldnt have mentioned that it was impossible for this gig to better the night at the Elephant & Castle Coronet when Oasis came on to the strains of “Youll Never Walk Alone” directly after Liverpool won their 5th European Cup.  My attitude to Blur has always been coloured by my terrible class chip, so while I made and enjoyed a Blur compilation, its title was “Mockney – The best of Blur“.  What I could never deny though was just how bloody talented Albarn is, not to mention having seen him with The Good, The Bad & The Queen what a great frontman he is. Not to mention his jaw droppingly good record label and shop! I still agree with that song title though.

Alex James has talked about how reforming felt “a bit like putting the Blues Brothers back together.  We had to break Rowntree out of law school and I’m smelling cheese somewhere in Oxfordshire“.  As they arrive to predictable hysteria its clear the years have been kind both musically and physically.  Albarn bounces on his toes like a boxer ready for the fight, his face pretty much as it always was, Coxon seemingly improved by age, and James who’s clearly cut back on the cheese for the reunion spent much of the night coolly posing on top of his monitor.

“I remember this place being kind of cavernous, and running around like an excited kid when there was music on.
It seems a lot smaller now.” (Youtube)

So said Damon after starting with a storming version of “She’s So High“, the first track from their first album.  Gazing out in disbelief at the room described by The FT as “a dark, foetid place that resembled the hold of a particularly dismal passenger ship“ he looked genuinely shocked to be there.  Barely a second passed however between finishing his sentence and the band setting off the first pogoing session of the night with “Girls & Boys” unmistakable opening refrain.

SETLIST (with links to Youtube footage where available)
‘She’s So High’
‘Girls And Boys’ (Snippet)
‘Tracy Jacks’ (Youtube)
‘There’s No Other Way’ (Youtube)
‘Jubilee’
‘Bad Head’
‘Beetlebum’ (Youtube / YouTube2 / Youtube start)
‘Out Of Time’
‘Trimm Trabb’
‘Coffee And TV’ (Youtube / Brief clip good quality
‘Tender’ – (YouTube / YouTube2 / YT3 Brief clip but great quality)
‘Country House’ (YouTube / YT2 Brief good quality)
‘Oily Water’ (Youtube)
‘Chemical World’
‘Sunday Sunday’
‘Parklife’
‘End Of A Century’ (Youtube)
‘To The End’ (Youtube)
‘This Is A Low’ (Youtube)
ENCORE:
‘Popscene’
‘Advert’
‘Song 2′ (Youtube – 1 min in)
‘For Tomorrow’ (Youtube)
‘The Universal’ – (Youtube)

Other vids: Damon Crowd surfing / Damon talking about size of venue

“Tracy Jacks“, “Jubilee” and “Bad Head” followed from their commercial highpoint “Parklife“, sandwiched around “Theres No Other Way“, a tune which always has me thinking “oh I thought that was the Charlatans/Inspiral Carpets (insert various “baggy” bands)..?“  After “Tracy Jacks” Albarn beaming from ear to ear warned the over excited mass that they “should probably pace yourselves ’cos there’s a long way to go”.  He wasnt joking… there were 24 tracks to come over the course of almost two hours.

Its probably heresy to say it but I always preferred their later work, the sound of Blur imploding, of creative tensions, emotional breakups, and the influence of Albarn’s love for other cultures. “Beetlebum” with its twin inspirations of Heroin and the Fab Four was immense, while “Tender” featured the crowd and Damon singing acapella.
“Out Of Time“, the bands first single without Graham Coxon is especially beautiful, although to Coxon’s credit he more than compensated for the missing Morrocan orchestra by adding his own subtle “shivering arcs of feedback”.  Alburn meanwhile plucked out the solo on a small acoustic guitar.  Absolutely beautiful! Had they segued into “No Distance Left To Run“, the heartbreaking tale of Damon’s split with Elastica’s Justin Friechmann I would have had to break for a good interval blub.

Lily Allen recently apologised for her dad splitting up the band (Graham twittered her back saying “hey! I’ m sure you’re dad didn’t do too much damage, dear! x”), but what stands out about “Country House” shorn of its “wacky” Keith Allen video is its actually a good song.  Moved by the audiences response Albarn declared the gig as “…truly what it used to be like“.

Further testing the energy reserves of the audience, a muscular “Parklife” came next setting off what the Times described as a “Proustian avalanche measured out in the finger-jabbing zeal“.  All I know is I’d headed to the bar for something to ease the unbearable heat, and upon my return the chaos set off by “Parklife” ensured most of the pint ended up down my already soaked t-shirt.  This was by far the sweatiest gig I’ve been to in years.  Initially lines of sweat marked their path down the wall and beam directly above the stage, but by “Parklife” perspiration literally dripped from the ceiling like salty rain.

“I didn’t think we’d ever do this kind of gig again” Said Albarn “I’m pleased we have, thanks for coming.“

The Telegraph summed the night up perfectly:

Over the next two weeks the reformed Blur will play to around 500,000 people at Glastonbury and in Hyde Park. So to see them in a pokey room of a few hundred people was a chance to see if the magic – musical and personal – was back.

Well, it was. This was a night of pure joy.  It was the little looks between them, the smiles, the sweat. We could see the whites of their eyes.

Blur Website
Other reviews:
The Telegraph loved it so much they reviewed it twice – here and here
The Guardian had me looking up the word crepuscular with their five star review
The NME were forced to drink bottled cider
The Times celebrates 5 stars of imperishable magnificence.
R Music sang church hymns for the britpop generation
The Mirror’s showbiz column were busy celeb spotting.. ooo Emma Watson moshing
The Financial Times gave it five stars.

Listen:
Blur – “Out Of Time” (MP3)
Blur – “Tender (Cornelius remix)” (MP3)
Blur – “To The End” (MP3) – Little Boots YouTube cover here too (not sure she understands the song)
Damon Albarn – “I Need A Gun” (MP3)

“Music Is Your Radar” – Compilation of tracks from Damon’s superb label, Honest Jon’s – Download ZIP

Visit here to download “Parkspliced” a 2004 Blur bootleg mashup album (can’t vouch for its quality though)

Look:
崚楠 took some brilliant pictures of the night on flickr

Watch:
Interview with Blur discussing the reunion
BBC Video about Blur reforming & looking ahead to Glasto performance
Blur on Rock Profiles – yes Im working class, rub a dub dub, apples and pairs, gor blimey

Ryan(StopMe): I seem to have gone mad this week and bought nine or ten albums (And a few singles). Dammit, there is just too much great music out there. Here is yet more evidence:

Alela Diane’s voice is like Joni Mitchell singing a lament from a porch on the prairie in the chill of the moonlight. The powerful strings on ‘White As Diamonds’ underline the graceful clarity of the vocals.

‘Time I Was Gone’ is as intimate and warm as the reassuring sibling’s shoulder that the lyrics describe. Antony Harding (aka Ant) is like a wonderful Swedish version of Stickboy.

Bloc Party’s last album ‘Intimacy’ was too clinical for my tastes and it never really grabbed my attention. New single ‘One More Chance’ is the polar opposite, employing a super danceable House Piano line to not only grab my attention, but to wrestle me onto the Indie dance floor.

Cosmos’ ‘Nude Metropolis’ has a trippy Prog vibe cunningly tempered with an irresistible Pop beat. Cosmos is just the latest band featuring Robert Pollard of Guided by Voices and Boston Spaceships.

The Duckworth Lewis Method is the new cricket based project from Neil Hannon and Thomas Walsh. If you are a fan of The Divine Comedy and The Real Tuesday Weld (So basically if you enjoy music full stop!) then like me, you’re gonna have ‘The Age Of Revolution’ on a loop. Quite why the subject of Cricket should inspire a mix of skankin’ Hip-Hop and 20’s Jazz… I don’t know.

Major Lazer’s ‘Hold The Line’ is another of those partly annoying records that samples phone sounds, but is once again so damn good that you love it anyway. Mr. Lexx’s deep Dancehall vocals are complemented by Santigold’s backing lines.

‘Box ‘n’ Locks’ employs a timeless sample of the riff from Martha & the Muffins’ ‘Echo Beach’. Just by creating a new mix with that sample would be enough for me to certify this track as genius but then you’ve got MPHO’s superb vocals and lyrics too.

Since the sad demise of Larrikin Love, Edward Larrikin has been busy creating music under the new title The Pan I Am (I had an early demo on this site back in 2007). After much anticipation his debut release proper is a double A-side single of brilliant Indie/Electronica/Folk for fans of Patrick Wolf. My pick has to be the second cut ‘O.R.L.D’.

Thecocknbullkid’s ‘I’m Not Sorry’ is a delightful mix of Soul and Eghties Synth-Pop. Thecocknbullkid is London’s Anita Blay and her debut single ‘On My Own’ is also available.

Willie Isz is a Rap duo comprised of Jneiro Jarel and Goodie Mob’s Khujo Goodie. ‘Gawn Jet’ fuses fuzz Guitars, pounding beats, crunching Synths and fantastic rhymes.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A ZIP CONTAINING ALL TEN MP3s

Alela Diane MySpace / Purchase
Ant MySpace / Purchase
Bloc Party MySpace / Purchase
Robert Pollard MySpace / Purchase
Major Lazer MySpace / Purchase
MPHO MySpace / Purchase
The Duckworth Lewis Method MySpace / Purchase
The Pan I Am MySpace / Purchase
Thecocknbullkid MySpace / Purchase
Willie Isz MySpace / Purchase

Here is the video for Alela Diane’s ‘White As Diamonds’:

MLD Radio Podcast 10 (1hr19m) - Subscribe itunes

Tracklist:

Julianna Barwick – “Bode”
Efdemin – “Acid Bells”
Windmill – “Airsuit”
Ghost – “From The Beginning” – read his blog (inc new The Heavy remix)
Akira The Don – “BNP DOA”
Jamie T – “Sticks and Stones”
Get Back Guinozzi – “Police and Thieves”
Screaming Females – “Boyfriend” – blog
Holger Czukay – “Persian Love”
Father Abraham – “HIAFC” – DL FULL ALBUM or check out his latest project, one new free song every week!
Skilf – “Slow Me Down (feat Michelle Ericsson)”
DOOM – “Still dope (feat. Empress Sharhh)”
Lee Fields And The Expressions – “Ladies”
Holly Throsby – “Would You? (feat Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy)
Player Piano – “Anything At All”
Julie Feeney – “Love is a Tricky Thing”
Major Lazer – “Hold The Line (Prince Zimboo Attacks)” – Twitter
Starkey – “Miracles”
Lone Wolf – “Next September”
Hermas Zopoula – “Courons Courez”
Cobblestone Jazz – “Fiesta”
Black Meteoric Star – “World Eater”
Jeffrey Lewis & Laura Marling – “Brain Damage” (Video Eminem cover version)

Ryan (StopMe): After a months break I feel refreshed and ready to bring you another TEN4SE7EN. By the way, if you’re a Simon & Garfunkel fan, HMV are currently selling a boxed set featuring their entire recorded output (That’s 71 tracks across 5 albums) in Deluxe-Vinyl-Replicas plus a live DVD for just £8!!! Truly music has no value anymore, I’m trying not to think too hard (It makes my head hurt) about whether I’m contributing to that situation or helping to promote artists. As usual you’ll find links at the bottom to buy music from this weeks artists because they need your support to keep producing music of this calibre:

Claire Hux is not a lady but a trio who’ve scored big by getting none other than Thom Yorke to produce and guest on their new track. ‘Fucked Up’ sounds like a classic Soul tune, it also sounds like a classic Radiohead song… not sure how it manages to be both at the same time.

After hearing a less than impressive free demo called ‘Fire Fire’ that Jamie T recently made available, I was worried about his new album. So I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard ‘Sticks ‘n’ Stones’, the title track from his new EP. It already sounds just as catchy and lyrically tricksy as anything off his wonderful debut LP (I adore the acapella bit in the middle).

Naturally I loved 2004’s ‘Float On’ and it’s parent album but that’s as far as I’ve gone into Modest Moue’s discography. The manic vocals of their brand new single ‘Satellite Skin’ reminds me why I loved that album (I’m digging it out now).

‘Supernova’ is the latest track I’m hearing from Mr. Hudson’s eagerly anticipated second album. Kanye West is producing and he even steps up to the mike for a verse on this magnificent Robo-Soul cut.

Rachelle Garniez’s ‘My House Of Peace’ has the honour of being one of the first four releases on Jack White’s highly collectible Third Man Records label (Jack’s also producing). It’s a bit like Patti Smith covering Cockney Rebel which of course means it’s amazing.

I’ve no idea how I’ve got this far without hearing the undeniable talent of future star MC Skilf. ‘Slow Me Down’ has the funky beats of Run-DMC, soulful guest vocals from Michelle Ericsson and so many great rhymes you’ll still be spotting them after after a dozen listens. Go check out his two MySpace pages ’cause I swear every track is genius.

I adore the dreamy Jazz sound and fruity Oboes of Speech Debelle’s ‘The Key’. It’s Hip-Hop like the last rays on a summers evening from the ever reliable Big Dada Label. I could listen all day to the way she sings “Your need for attention, makes you attract the bee”. My tune of the week!

David Shah is giving away another double A-side single under his The Melting Ice Caps moniker and guess what… it’s a sublime Indie ballad (What else did you expect?). ‘Night School’ is my pick of the two but you can get both (And much more) by clicking here.

Rap/Dance star Tittsworth featured on TEN4SE7EN back in January with his brilliant ‘WTF’ single. Now he’s back, enhanced with rhymes from The Federation and more bad-language-choruses on new track ‘Drunk As Fuck’. Check out all the mixes, but my fave is the hard biting Funk of Meterhead’s Dark Disco Mix.

While Absentee’s Dan Michaelson has been doing his own solo thing the rest of the band have released their ‘It Rots’ album under the name ‘Wet Paint’. The title track has the charm of both The Vaselines and those early singles by The Cribs.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A ZIP CONTAINING ALL TEN MP3s

Claire Hux MySpace / Mixtape
Jamie T MySpace / Pre-Order
Modest Mouse MySpace / Purchase
Mr. Hudson MySpace / Pre-Order
Rachelle Garniez MySpace / Purchase
Skilf MySpace / Purchase
Speech Debelle MySpace / Purchase
The Melting Ice Caps MySpace / Download
Tittsworth MySpace / Purchase
Wet Paint MySpace / Purchase

There are two Videos this week ’cause I just couldn’t pick which I liked more:

The first is an infectiously high energy promo for Jamie T’s ‘Sticks ‘n’ Stones’.

The second is a video of Speech Debelle and her magnificent band doing an even more chilled version of ‘The Key’.

Ok so Island isn’t really the Island Records of old anymore, long since gobbled up by the corporate behemoth Universal, but 50 years is still 50 years. As such Chris Blackwell appointed the legendary rhythm section Sly & Robbie the task of assembling a Compass Point All Stars featuring Aswad, The I-Threes, Kid Creole, VV Brown, and Tichy Stryder.

A great lineup but on the night each and everyone of them was upstaged by a pair of 62 year old buttocks.

She may have only performed two tracks but Miss Grace Jones doesn’t do subtle appearances, she specialises in stealing the show.  From the second burly roadies appeared dragging a raised platform onto the stage the audience buzzed with the anticipation that Ms Jones was actually going to appear. She is quite literally above all other performers.

With a black recreation of the Lord’s media centre on her head, black leotard, eye mask, and a short dress made out of children’s sausage balloons she was as striking as ever. As she appeared the charming Londoner behind me exclaimed to his mate “Farking hell she’s got her fanny out!” and promptly disappeared into the crowd for a closer look.  For the record she didnt, unless you mean in the American sense of the word in which case, farking hell she got her fanny out!

New single “Love you to Life” stands up well to her old material but this was a chance to hear music from the golden 1980-82 period she spent with Sly & Robbie in the Bahamas creating Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing and Living My Life.
One only has to think of Madonna straddling a succession of young men in recent music videos to know such overt sexuality in the over 50’s doesn’t always work but Jones is still at home with the filth of “Pull Up To The Bumper“. Indeed she revels in it, turning away from the audience lifting her sausage balloon skirt, baring her buttocks and shaking them in our faces as beaming she sings “Pull up to my bumper baby… drive it in between“.  Yegads!
As ever with Grace Jones though its style AND substance, and hearing Sly & Robbie recreating that groove, that bass, in person with Jones on top was simply magical.

Grace Jones Myspace
Listen: Grace Jones – “Pull Up To The Bumper” (MP3)
Read: The ever engrossing Sleeveage unpick the classic cover art for Grace’s Island Life (Check the blog anyway its fantastic).

The evening began with Kid Creole and his Coconuts bringing back the ensemble band style – half James Brown, half Cab Calloway – 100% fun. A fantastic horn section, dancers, backing singers and at the heart of it all Kid Creole in a purple zoot suit and straw hat.

The Kid is no musical novice, masterminding the disco anthem ‘There But For The Grace Of God” in the mid 70’s and forming Kid Creole & The Coconuts in 1980.  Aside from Kid himself, Percussionist Bongo Eddie is the only original member, and mid way through he emerges from behind the bongo’s rubbing his considerable belly as Creole hails his almost 30 year’s of service. As for The Coconuts, Creole introduces them as “the children of the original Coconuts“.

“This one goes out to all the illegitimate children in the house“

The ode to illegitimacy “Annie (I’m Not Your Daddy)” gets perhaps the biggest cheer of the set with its classic line “See if I was in your blood… you wouldn’t be so ugly“, but almost all shines from the keyboard riff of “I’m A Wonderful Thing (Baby)” to “Stool Pigeon“.
Kid Creole plays up his role of male machismo flirting with his troupe of Coconuts but also delivering drops of social commentary into the comedic package. I like the story of the reviewer in the 80’s who attacked Kid Creole as having “finally sunken to shallow depths of insipidness and plain silliness with lines like, “There’s a smell of bird shit in the air…”‘. The actual lyric of course is, “There’s a smell of bloodshed in the air…”

Kid Creole & The Coconuts Myspace
Listen: Kid Creole & The Coconuts – “Annie I’m Not Your Daddy” (MP3)
Buy: Kid Creole – The August Darnell Years @ Amazon

Sly & Robbie took to the stage for the main part of the evening with 30 minutes of bone shaking thudding reggae bass. Almost entirely instrumental, it was lapped up by a crowd with an even mix of old rasta’s and young lovers of dub.

I have to admit I didnt recognise many tracks (setlist anyone) but Dunbar’s unmistakable “thack” drum crack almost perforated my ear drum while Shakespeare’s rumbling bass may spark tsunami’s but is spellbinding when boosted by classic reggae horns.  Black Uhuru’s “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” received a welcome airing.
Not a word was uttered by either Sly & Robbie until Shakespeare took the mic to sing “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)” in a strangely camp falsetto.  Gotta love those horns though!

Sly & Robbie Myspace / official site (inc Free download)
Listen: Sly & Robbie – “Boops (Here To Go)” (MP3)
Ini Kamoze – “World-A-Music” (MP3)
The Tamlins – “Smiling Faces (Extended Mix)” (MP3)

Sly & Robbie were then joined by the first of the evenings “Compass Point All-Stars”, Aswad.
Aswad are one of the UK’s most long running and celebrated reggae acts – first signing to Island in 1976 – but you wouldn’t guess it based on their slightly luke warm reception.  They’ve been stuck with the tag of “Sell Out’s” ever since they topped the pop charts in the eighties with “Dont’ Turn Around“.  Drummie Zeb, Tony Gad plus a third member who had me thinking “christ one of them’s barely aged” duly belted out their big hit, and to these ears it sounded like it always did – a perfect reggae-lite classic. Sod you musical snobs! I’m off to dig out my 7″ copy.  I was also slightly amused by the way Zeb waggles his mic hand frantically at the end of every line, presumably to get a wavy effect on his vocals?
After one more pop reggae track (”On & On?) they departed the stage just as a thunderous dub bass began to ring out, only to return minus the young member and exclaiming “this is a revival time“. Turns out Brinsley Forde hasnt performed with the band for a decade but tonight he’s back and Aswad duly treated us to some of the heavy dub sound that originally made their name.
“African Children” and possibly “Not Satisfied” get the crowd firmly on their side with Forde on lead vocals.

Aswad Myspace
Listen: Aswad – “Not Satisfied” (MP3)

Of course any reggae tribute to Island Records can’t help but feel the shadow of the label and Jamaica’s biggest star, Bob Marley.  He may have been dead for almost three decades now but probably the warmest most heartfelt response of the evening met Marley’s backing group, The I-Three’s as they came on stage, featuring his widow Rita, Marcia Griffiths and new member Erica Newell.
I don’t think even Brinsley Forde would disagree when I say he’s no Marley but he ably joined the three ladies for a series of Marley classics. “Redemption Song” closed the Marley tribute set with Forde pausing at points to let the whole of the Empire sing acapella. Spines tingled enmasse as the song Marley wrote when diagnosed with the cancer that would take his life rang out.

The sole performer to fall flat on the night was the only one with any recent chart success. Fresh from a UK No.1 Tichy Stryder may have declared it a good night on his website but his rambling rap added little to Sly & Robbie’s “Boops (Here to Go)“.  VV Brown almost hidden by the side of the stage did a much better job at the overblown “You have one desire and thats to dance until you drop” chorus.

With Tichy gone, VV Brown nervously took centre stage herself in a multicoloured plastic skirt to perform a song I didnt recognise, possibly called “Papa“.  On this evidence she’s got a lovely and surprisingly powerful voice and with the might of Universal behind her she’ll go far. The song itself though was a bit of a bland r&b workout (I await an email telling me its an alltime classic – what do I know!?).  Talking about the performance on her blog she also revealed what I’d suspected on the night – she had the words written on her hands.

“I want to pour out my joy and happiness of being apart of this night. Performing with Grace Jones meeting Bob marleys wife and singin with sly and robbie ! No words can even compare ! I never get star struck or nervous but yesterday night I NEEDED A NAPPY ! IT WAS THE SECOND HIGHLIGHT TO MY CAREER ! The first one is a secret ! But it was magical. I had only learnt the song that night and wrote all the lyrics on my hands so it was a little shaky and it wasnt my best performance”

Finally Grace Jones joined the I‑Threes, Brinsley Forde and VV Brown on an admittedly fairly obvious, but none the less moving take on Marley’s “One Love” to send us all home.

Island 50 Website
Other Reviews: “Life enhancing” says This Is London
The Telegraph salutes Grace
BBC News compares Grace to Madge
The Guardian
The Taxi Gang blow apart Word Magazine as they enjoy the “stunningly sexy” Coconuts
Photos: This Is London snaps
Islands official photographer took loads too
Grace Jones fan site

But not just any Owls.

Officer Owl is a secretive duo, one half with more than a hint of Mancunian treasure Stickboy – the other – well, all we know is she’s a lass from Leeds.

What with only coming out at night, Officer Owl have been hard to pin down.  What started in September ‘08 as a “Listen To This“ feature is now an abbreviated “Officer Owl says Listen To This” (perhaps the tracks I picked out just didnt turn their heads).

Read on to find out what musical delights Officer Owl discovered when rummaging through their nest.  As for the Owl’s own music I can’t recommend it highly enough, beautiful, enchanting classic songwriting,  with backwards loops, banjo’s and luscious melodies all floating in and out of the mix.  A guaranteed delight for all fans of laptop folk and to my ears at least The Postal Service.

Officer Owl – Myspace / Last.fm

Listen: Officer Owl – “Untitled Number 7” (MP3) – Recommended
Hear all 3 Officer Owl tracks on Lastfm (more music is promised!)

Owl facts / Medieval Owl facts

Video: Completely unrelated video about Owl Vomit collecting.

“and the animals spoke, as the buildings turned to smoke“

OWL CHOICE 1: Firstly a rather unknown Manchester band called These eyes are cameras….. i bumped into these on myspace and instantly fell in love…. traditional kinda music, bit of a Bright Eyes feel but still very British.
I love that Manchester is always known for its Oasis, Stone Roses type bands but every now and then something unexpected raises its head above the skyline.
I love all their tracks but would like to point you towards “Sacred Blue“.

These Eyes Are Cameras – Myspace / Full album previews on Frig.com

Listen: These Eyes Are Cameras – “Sacred Blue” (MP3)

OWL CHOICE 2: Next, Sweet Baboo…. i first heard this chap on Marc Rileys BBC 6 music show and got hooked and HAD to buy the album. Right now it doesn’t leave my player, its so diverse and fresh.
Has a beautiful lo-fi feel that never sounds false. I guess its for fans of Bonnie Prince Billy and Daniel Johnston. An amazing understated voice and a great talent.

Sweet Baboo – Myspace / Sweet Baboo.co.uk

Listen: Sweet Baboo – “Emotionally Alone” (MP3)

OWL CHOICE 3: And my final choice… well there is so much out there but i will point you in the direction of Howard Eliott Payne. Once frontman of the often overlooked “The Stands” and now flying solo. Hes been to America and recorded what i think will be a beautiful album with the genius that is Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon, Ray Lamontagne, Ryan Adams).
This is just amazingly written music, its not complicated…. its how music used to be. One man, a guitar and a few bits to fill it in. Album is due out soon and i think its going to be rather special. Take a listen to “Until Morning”

Howard Eliott Payne – Myspace

Listen: Howard Eliott Payne – “Until Morning” (MP3)

A quick word of warning – it’s a little bit smutty, so if you watch it at work, one of you will get fired.

Visit the Cassetteboy blog or Youtube channel.

Thanks to Roomyverse for the tip.