Searching West & East...

M.I.A. - Born Free

2010-04-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

M.I.A. returns with a new tune that not only solidifies her identity as the biggest, boldest act going but along with a video that continues her political commentary to boot.

Born Free as a tune is superb and fills me with immense anticipation for her new material being released later in the year. The video for the song it was pulled from YouTube within hours on publication and will cause undoubted outrage amongst the small-minded and easily led Daily Mail readers amongst us. For others, they will take it for what it was intended - Beautiful, sadistic, visceral and poignant. Everything that M.I.A. stands for.

As a film within itself, it is fantastic. The music simply makes this video stand out as THE must see event of 2010.

This video contains nudity and graphic violence. You have been warned.

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

It Only Takes One Night

2010-04-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

After a weekend of hammering through records that have been sat in boxes untouched for 6 months and will not be seeing a shelf until I move in 3 weeks, I have been listening to recent albums I bought from a record shop in Brighton last weekend... The Dum Dum Girls featured on last years Rough Trade indie promo and I loved Jail La La when it came out in feb this year so I dived into their album 'I will Be' on the legendary sub pop label...

These 4 girls from LA have brought some energy back to indie - pop and mixed the best parts of 60's girls groups and 70's garage rock. The album feels unpolished and that's the beauty of it. There are nods to Iggy Pop and they sit alongside the best Hole material and New Yorkers Vivian Girls (below) - For me Vivian Girls & The Dum Dum Girls have brought a sense of excitement back to indie music and its a bit of a 2 fingers up at the electro indie scene that seems have past its best.

Listen to The Dum Dum Girls below -stand out for me is It Only Takes One Night

Dum Dum Girls by BeRbEqUiM

And the brilliant Vivian Girls - Tell The World

Vivian Girls - Tell the World by jmbakero

Black Sands

2010-03-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have to say when I heard Bonobo had a new record I wasn't too excited. I used to love Ninja Tune and anything that was put out by Bonobo was amazing. Take Flutter below - for me this is simply a great track that transports you off to Summer in a flash:

I was really disappointed with a Bonobo gig a couple of years ago and I had pretty much forgotten about them until now... Black Sands is a stunning album in digital single's track world where the value of albums doesn't seem to be important anymore. Its combines Brazilian beats, bosa nova bass-lines and dream like vocals to create a record that will lift your mood in an instant and remove you from that mundane bus journey home.

I haven't been as impressed on the first listen of an album for a while & ok it might not be everyones cup of Darjeeling but by god it deserves some attention. The full album minimix is below for a listen and download:

Bonobo 'Black Sands' Album Mini Mix by Ninja Tune

I am the ghost in the back of your head

2010-03-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

Expectations for Foals new album 'Total Life Forever' are at an all time high after a first listen to new single Spanish Sahara. For me Foals are one a handful of forward thinking, progressive bands that have developed since their last offering and Spanish Sahara totally demos this. Yannis's vocals have come on along way - sounding in places similar to Guy Garvey.

This tune is epic, building and building and if this is anything to go by the album which has been 2 years in the making will be truely brilliant.
Soak this up...

Also have a go on this fantastic remix by Mount Kimble

Foals - Spanish Sahara (Mount Kimbie Remix) by fabric

Goldheart Assembly

2010-03-16T01:51:00.000-07:00

There are some songs that need to be listened to on repeat and for me Goldheart Assembly have one in King Of Rome. I have spent pretty much all weekend listening to this band and although this song is about Rome - for me it will always remind me of Barcelona (where I had it on repeat).

This band from London have great vocal harmonies and superb sound. King Of Rome is taken from their new album Wolves and Thieves on Fierce Panda Records.

This tune will be stuck in your head for a while and for me sounds like Edward Sharpe's album of last year.

Got 40 minutes to kill?

2010-03-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Some people are afraid of the 'T' word but not here. Pull up a bean bag, slip off the clogs and have a listen to this deep, euphoric trance mix.

150310 by psimonius

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass music video

2010-03-05T06:05:00.000-08:00

I'm a big fan of music videos and always have a soft spot for bands who take advantage of the medium to flex their creative muscles. OK Go are the kings of inoffensive pop-rock jiggery and truly embrace the opportunity to do something entertaining with their films.

Following on from the cult classic 'Here It Goes Again', below is the video to their latest single 'This Too Shall Pass'. Well done boys!

The Scrawl - Feb 2010 mix - A French Feast

2010-03-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

The Scrawl - Feb 2010 by CosmicJam

The Scrawl - Cosmic Jam Mix for Feb 2010 is a 30 min mix of downtempo disco, electro and up for it deep house featuring Andre Lodermann, Four Tet, Francois Dubois, Coeur De Pirate & a sneaky Donald Byrd track thrown in for good measure. Representing the best newish dance tunes floating around in Feb with a French twist. Dive in and get it Poppin'!
Merci!

Summer Camp Mystery

2010-03-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

There is very little info floating around about Swedish band Summer Camp - even their blog is minimal... just a bunch of random pretty amazing photo's of the 70's worth looking at here.

They are a new addition to the amazing Moshi Moshi label, home to the likes of Au Revoir Simone et al. Even though there is little background info on these guys, it doesnt matter as their debut single 'Ghost Train' is just fantastic. The fact there is very little about them adds to the appeal along with the mysterious 70's Diana style photos.

Check out their debut, a real eye opener...

Summer Camp - Ghost Train by Themblueeyes

280210 by psimonius

2010-03-02T03:00:00.001-08:00

Have a little chew on this deep and dirty mix...

280210 by psimonius

Tourist History

2010-03-01T06:41:00.000-08:00

As expected on first listen to Two Door Cinema Club's Debut Tourist History - it's a winner... Jump up and down, unpretentious, indie pop and I love what this band have produced. It has a whiff of early Bloc Party & Phoenix - Kitsune have a very promising band on their label. Ealry single I Can Talk got remixes from just about everyone and there was early hype and the band have totally delievered.

It surprises me that this hasnt got the mainstream endless radio airplay yet... but I guess that is just a matter of time.

Current early favourite is Do You Want It All:

Do You Want It All - Two Door Cinema Club by triselectif

and the lovely Softwar electro remix of Undercover Martyn (not on the album)

Two Door Cinema Club - Undercover Martyn (Softwar Remix) by MediatedMedia

Just a brilliant band and a superb debut album that has the feeling the summer is just around the corner...

Betty & The Werewolves

2010-02-26T01:32:00.000-08:00

Betty & The Werewolves have put a smile on my face... Like and early 90's pre Sleeper kooky punk band with great lyrics -their sound is raw and catchy indie pop. They may not be producing what the kids want or need at the moment but christ they have a couple of feel good pop punk tunes that make you want to bounce... Signed to DamagedGoods along with Holly Golightly and still doing the toilet venues. They sing about fancying David Cassidy and mad encounters on night buses, shouting through every tune and scuffing up their party shoes. They have recorded their debut album to be released this year.
Check out theie 1st single Euston Station below...

Total Life Forever

2010-02-24T02:56:00.000-08:00

Some news I have been waiting for.... Foals have named their new album Total Life Forever and are releasing on May 10th on Transgressive

Their first album Antidotes was one of my my top albums of 2008 and their blend of energy and rhythms have had an addictive sound. Antidotes was stuck on repeat for months on the pod and if the follow up is anything like their debut we are all in for a treat... Easily as good as Bloc Party's debut. No doubt the return of Foals this year will result in festival dates and a pretty big tour. They have been stuck in a studio for 2 years so its fair to say this album is going to be pretty tasty....

From 2008's Antidotes this is Balloons...

Foals - Balloons by subpop

Ode To Brighton

2010-02-24T02:21:00.000-08:00

Bush Hall

2010-02-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

So the promise of a Beach House gig supported by Lawrence Arabia was pretty exciting and boy what a stunning gig it was...

As Lawrence Arabia's album is currently stuck on repeat on my iPod - it wasn't going to disappoint. Beach House bounded on stage and played and stunning whirlwind of haunting and magical tracks from Teen Dream - the hype that is currently following this band around on the back of their new album Teen Dream is totally worth…do believe the hype. Beautiful vocals backed up by haunting Hammond organ & slide guitar on single Norway was the winner for me. The power that is produced by the Baltimore threesome is epic.

Hats off to this band who admittedly I have only just discovered… and what a perfect, stunning venue Bush Hall is…

Angel Echoes

2010-02-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

Four Tet at The Dome on Friday.... The pictures speak for themselves...what a night....

Angel Echoes (BBC session) by Four Tet

All we want is a heavenly place to be...

2010-02-07T03:34:00.000-08:00

I have been listening to this a fair amount this week. Union Jackals have a superbly produced track that has captured a great sound, it's fair to say this sits comfortably between the Gorillaz new work and Neon Neon (Boom Bip & Gruff Rhys).

This track 'We Are The Human Race' has a great dubby sounding, driving bassline and the vocals sound great....dive into this - its fresh and is a little teaser of more great things to come....

Its worth having a listen to this early....the seeds have been planted...

Download and listen below

Union Jackals - We Are The Human Race by CosmicJam

I Met The Walrus

2010-02-03T06:37:00.000-08:00

This is a brilliant and highly recommended animation that has an amazing story behind it:

In 1969, a 14-year-old Beatle fanatic named Jerry Levitan snuck into John Lennon's hotel room in Toronto and convinced him to do an interview. 38 years later, Levitan, director Josh Raskin and illustrators James Braithwaite and Alex Kurina have collaborated to create an animated short film using the original interview recording as the soundtrack. A spellbinding vessel for Lennon's boundless wit and timeless message, I Met the Walrus was nominated for the 2008 Academy Award for Animated Short and won the 2009 Emmy for 'New Approaches' (making it the first film to win an Emmy on behalf of the internet).

Just brilliant...

The Scrawl - Jan 2010 mix

2010-02-02T11:12:00.000-08:00

Jan2010mix by CosmicJam

So at the weekend I complied all the best remixes I had found in January and created this mix featuring some remixes of tracks that are brand new or had a fresh twist. Some familiar, some not.....Get stuck in and have a listen... its 30 mins of banging electro and house featuring:

Mosca

Diplo

Carl Craig

Christian TV

Robotberget

Sunday Soundtrack

2010-01-31T07:59:00.000-08:00

Laura Veirs new album is full of flowing folk and her dremy vocals are amazing listen. Her voice is unique and her songwriting is natural. I first heard of Veirs in 2004 when her album Carbon Glacier was out, signed to same label as everyones new favourite band; Beach House - Bella Union.

July Flame is Laura's new album and the title track single is a perfect way to discover her songwriting talents. It really is a perfect Sunday Soundtrack:

Free Download link

Love Cry

2010-01-25T12:47:00.000-08:00

Its safe to say Kieran Hebden has produced an astonishing album in the new Four Tet effort: 'There Is Love In You'. Four Tet has written, produced and remixed some seminal tunes over the last few years. This album on first listen is a journey of brazilian samba beats, cut up vocals, synths and moody dubby basslines. Instant favourite without a shadow of a doubt is 'Love Cry' almost 9 minutes of bliss...

But for me the most impressive tune Four Tet has touched is his 2008 remix of Bonobo's Pick Up on Ninja tune, and as the Winter Olympics all almost upon on us, check out the video. A short Super 8 film cut together by Blank Paper. Fits the tune really well... dive In.....

Chew Lips

2010-01-24T11:53:00.000-08:00

Chew Lips at their album launch on Tuesday at Hoxton Hall was a bit special. It is no wonder why this threesome are tipped for big things. Debut album out 25th Jan...

....excitin times.....

2010-01-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

When you have a handful of record labels that continue to find consistently ground breaking artists producing original and brilliant music, it really is exciting times....

5 record labels that for me are just pushing the bar higher are Moshi Moshi, Warp, Rough Trade, Kitsune & DFA. I just got copies of the 1st 2010 Warp & Moshi Moshi compilations and there are just some amazing little gems on these records.

Of course there is always the odd bizarre number too but these 2 collections are superb all round records.

Moshi Moshi home to Casio Kids, Hot Chip, Au Revoir Simone, Hot Club De Paris and critics darlings The Drums have pretty much nailed it this year and the Electro Compilation 2 record is a great showcase.

Highlight for me though is the Aeroplane remix of Au Revoir Simone's Another Likely Story

Au Revoir Simone are Annie, Erika & Heather from Brooklyn, NY - their music is stunning and laid back folk - and as soon as an electro mad producer gets hold of it turns into something else.

Highlight from the Warp Records Comp is Gonjasufi. Warp - home to AFX is always pushing boundaries with their twisted sonic ideology and Gonjasufi is no exception - this is dubby slow hip hop with ghostly vocals and cut together looped instruments. Its pretty tripped out but worth digging into....

2 great records...worth getting your mittens on....

New Zealand Lovliness

2010-01-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

New Zealander Lawrence Arabia (see what he has done there) describes himself as Pop Folk singer songwriter with a dash a psychdelic madness. Pretty accurate description if you ask me! This is not novelty folk tunage but great songs and superb lyrics. Tap your toes and feed your ears to what is basically a joyful weekend soundtrack. Personal favourite and a tune that makes me smile at the lyrics is The Beautiful Young Crew taking from his album Chant Darling - it has great chorus and trumpet section.

Lawrence Arabia is the pseudonym of James Milne. James has already established a musical resume as a former member of the Brunettes, The Ruby Suns and one time touring member of Okkervil River. He has also produced for films and theatre and wrote the score for the indie film hit, “Eagle vs Shark”. Fans of Flight of The Conchords... dive in....

“Chant Darling” is his UK and Bella Union debut and he has been supporting similar sounding artists Fanfarlo and the awesome Midlake. He will supporting the brilliant Beach House soon!

Its enough to make you want to move to Auckland and drown in all this folk sonic ideology...

Check all the above mentioned below...

The Brunettes - Her Hairagami Set

"Lost Coastlines" by Okkervil River

The Ruby Suns - Tane Mahuta

Ryuichi Sakamoto

2010-01-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

For something totally unique and original at the time it was created look no further than Japanese electro pioneer Ryuichi Sakamoto. Now in his late 50's Ryuichi created some of the most forward thinking music of the 1970's. That is now being appreciated by new producers of the new disco/electro scene. Ryuichi is nothing short of genius - anyone unfamiliar with his work should have a butchers....

Pulse Films

2010-01-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

Music videos are a pretty much a lost art when they are no longer relevant. However Dave Ma of Pulse Films has directed some of the most stunning music videos of the last couple of years.

If you have 4 minutes - watch this stunning video for Delphic's - This Momentary - shot at Chernobyl and read this interview with Director Dave Ma at Dazed Digital

DELPHIC - This Momentary
Uploaded by MaisonKitsune. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Delphic's debut album 'Acolyte', out this week - is a fantastic effort.

Two Door Cinema Club

2010-01-11T11:27:00.000-08:00

Northern Irish band Two Door Cinema Club have the same energy has early Bloc Party Records - which can only be a good thing, with a debut record due on Kitsune and some heavyweight remixes floating around of single 'I Can Talk'... things are looking and sounding very good.

Also look out for them supporting Phoenix soon...
myspace

The More I Try....

2010-01-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

Thom Yorke - pretty much one of the most gifted muscians in the land has had one of his fine tunes remixed again - this one is hotter than hell... big remix of a fantastic tune - the xxxchange remix of Eraser (title track of the 2006 album of the same name) is a lovely little disco number that has Thom's haunting vocals dashed all over... forget your house/electro remixes... disco remixes are the way forward...

Having said that, this tune has had the remix of Sasha in 2007
and Stretch & Vern, both are worth a listen.

Check out the new xxxchange remix... guaranteed to make you giddy....

Top 100 Songs of The 00s: 20-1

2010-01-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

Top 100 Songs of The 00s: 20-1

Fresh Hot Chip

2010-01-08T02:10:00.001-08:00

Bangin'...new Hot Chip single out 1st Feb

Cant wait to see them again in Brixton

The Best Tunes Of 2009

2010-01-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

So after some consideration and head scratching I have compiled a best of 2009 list. At this time of year there is a lot of best of lists around, however I feel this list represents tunes that have made a difference to me. Some familiar, some not... dive in.... please rate,comment,spit on,admire, adore,rip off or rant about the list....

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros	40 Day Dream
Nathan Fake	You Are Here (Four Tet Remix)
Empire Of The Sun	We Are The People
Fanfarlo	The Walls Are Coming Down
The xx	VCR
It Hugs Back	Unaware
Golden Silvers	True No. 9 Blues (True Romance)
Deadmau5	Strobe
Dutch Uncles	Steadycam
Chew Lips	Slick
Bon Iver	Skinny Love
Florence + The Machine	Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) [Jamie T's Lionheart Mix
Vitalic	Poison Lips
Tantra	A Place Called Tarot (Idjut Boys Re-Edit) [DITS Edit]
The Maccabees	One Hand Holding
Yeah Yeah Yeahs	Little Shadow
Phoenix	Lisztomania Download Lisztomania mp3
Friendly Fires	Kiss of Life (Luke Solomon's Broken Dreams and Tambourines Vocal)
Howling Bells	Into The Chaos
Joy Orbison	Hyph Mngo
Orbital	Halcyon (Tom Middleton Re-Model)
The Juan MacLean	The Future Will Come (Canyons Remix)
Monsters Of Folk	Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)
LCD Soundsystem	Bye Bye Bayou
Slow Club	Because We're Dead

Miike Snow - Sylvia

2010-01-06T05:31:00.000-08:00

Loving this new single from Miike Snow....

pie and gravy

2010-01-06T05:15:00.000-08:00

would be nice...

The Cosmic Winter Dub

2010-01-06T04:41:00.000-08:00

...30 min mix from Decemeber 09...

includes///random remixes of disco/dub and techy house feat... passion pit, ellie goulding, four tet, the xx, joy orbison & many more...

http://www.mediafire.com/?znhndjtzz4j

all comments/ postive/negative/indifferent welcome... gonna try and post more over the next few weeks...

...get onboard...

Searching West & East...: 2010...lets have it...

2010-01-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

Searching West & East...: 2010...lets have it...

2010...lets have it...

2010-01-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

this is where it begins... the step into blogosphere has been made and i hope this will prove like a fruitful, interesting and inspired mind warp into all the things the are making life tick by for me.

i know there are many blogs around and i hope this will be a bit different from the norm... a place to dump ideas, memories, pictures and tunes.

a new decade has just started and so what better way to begin with my top 2 tunes of the festive season...

Tiga - Big Big tune that blows my fuzz box everytime I hear it... top draw.

Tiga – What You Need (Proxy Remix).mp3

Joy Orbison - Inspired dubby, garage, house effort from an untouchable producer/DJ - big things in 2010 - believe the hype...every penny of it....

Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo.mp3

Forgive this small first step into the blogosphere.... onwards and upwards