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Sunday, 21 December 2014

Flycasual's - Best 5 of 2014

2014 - Another Great Year For Music

This time of year always fills me with a sense of happy dread. Not only is Christmas round the corner with all the buffoonery that that entails but it's the real stress of compiling your best of the year. Never mind an eight month old baby and getting my head around a new job it was this exclusive list that was giving me sleepless nights. Many thanks as always to my fellow bloggers Old Pa, Sfw, London Scouser and Shell Hunter for providing class A material for the blog but also contributing to my soundtrack of the year. Props y'all!

Jungle - 'The Heat'

It's not very often a band comes along and completely knocks me out Frank Bruno style. These guys ticked all of my boxes since I first heard them earlier this year, they were elusive, their videos had some brilliant dance choreography and they had a retro vibe not heard since Hue and Cry in the 80's (ok maybe not them but they're definitely channeling a 80's white soul ting but light years better). Needless to say they didn't disappoint at Latitude either, the moshing (why?) kids did however. Band of the year, sound of the summer, stunning!

War On Drugs - 'Red Eyes'

On many a best ofs list and for good reason, it really doesn't get much better than this. Devastatingly brilliant, it gives me goose pimples every time. Beautiful melody, beautiful musicianship, a track perfectly put together...and then he goes "woo" and it kicks off! Almost Springsteen-esque. Oh stop gushing! We missed them at Latitude but we past the tent when this played and that was highly memorable. Thanks to Old Pa for the heads up, track of the year!

Royal Blood - 'Loose Change'

An absolute belter! That's a lot of noise coming from two guys. Watching them perform live is something else, this is only the beginning for the talented Brighton duo. A firm family favourite, 'Loose Change' is the brightest diamond from a solid debut album.

Run The Jewels - 'Close Your Eyes' feat Zach De La Rocha

Fierce, chaotic and rude, reminiscent to how I felt when I first listened to Public Enemy in the 80's. Run the Jewels is Rap's in form duo, EL-P and Killer Mike, with a VIP guest spot from Rocks very own, "I'm bloody annoyed", Zach De La Rocha (who incidentally did his verse in one take). Perfect for the middle aged dad to turn the stereo up to 11 in his Peugeot estate after the kids are safely dropped off at school/nursery. A Bombtrack fo' sho'.

Tony Allen - 'Go Back' feat Damon Albarn

It would have been hard to ignore Damon Albarn after he released his debut solo, Everyday Robots, earlier this year. Though it was a decent album with some notable standouts, it was the sobering collaboration with Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen that hit the spot.

It took lots of workin and twerkin to squeeze dem tracks into a top 20. A labour of love fo' sho' and I'm sharing it below, have a listen. Or if you're feeling a little adventurous try my B-sides for size here.....

sfw Pada 05:38 6 Komentar

Sunday, 16 November 2014

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 15/11/14 - SOAK, Songhoy Blues, Adrian Crowley, Gerard Way, Milky Chance

Adrian Crowley Damon Albarn Gerard Way Milky Chance SOAK Songhoy Blues Tracks of the Week World Music Corner

Five tracks that charged our batteries!

Sfw:-

SOAK - B a nobody (2014)

This track has been in my contenders folder for a few weeks and it is now time to finally share it. It is by Derry 18 year old, Bridie Monds-Watson, aka SOAK. "B a Nobody" is a intimate, honest and raw observation of the pressures that we put on ourselves to be something.

Flycasual:-
Songhoy Blues - 'Al Hassidi Terei' (2014)

One of the highlights from last year's Damon Albarn project, Africa Express, was Songhoy Blues' 'Soubour'. They weren't just another Malian Desert Blues band, as I felt they had more of an edge on their contemporaries, certainly with their 'harder' guitar sound. 'Al Hassidi Terei' is taken from the Desert Punks forthcoming debut album, Music in Exile, which is out next February and on this form it's definitely something to look forward to.

Songhoy Blues on Transgressive Records...

Old Pa's Corner:-

Adrian Crowley - One Blue Morning (2014)

I have heard the name, but never really got round to checking him out until to-day.. What is wrong with me? Don't answer that!.The first two tracks from AC's new album just bloo! me away. I was aware he had the Leonard Cohen Tab, but I did not expect this. This is great stuff and the voice is just up my Khyber Pass.

I have the album on repeat. I will be on catch up soon too. Check out the Hungry Grass also. Richard Hawley, he has stolen your tones.

London Scouser:-

Gerard Way - 'Millions' (2014)

I have to admit I wasn't the biggest 'My Chemical Romance' fan, I liked a couple of songs 'Teenagers' and their cover of 'Desolation Row' which was on the soundtrack of the excellent comic book adaption film 'Watchmen'. Earlier this week their former lead singer Gerard Way came up to my desk at work, I didn't recognise him but the name rang a bell as I'd heard he had played some gigs in the UK. Also with his bright red hair under a beanie he looked like a 'somebody' so I decided to check out his recent album 'Hesitant Alien' and was pleasantly surprised. This particular song is released on Monday and has a video which looks like it was made with 70's special effects reminiscent of 'Can You Feel It' only with a better arse...

Shell Hunter:-

Milky Chance - 'Down By The River' (2014)

I knew I was destined to like these guys. We decided to take a punt and see them at Latitude after reading the intriguing blurb about the band being an interesting mix of folk electronica with a hint of reggae. We were gutted to find out the gig was cancelled (I think to sickness) so I forgot all about them. Well once again thanks to John Kennedy's Xposure show during my drive home I was hooked by this little ditty. Their quirkiness reminds me of Alt-J which holds them in great stead so far. The duo are from Germany and released their first album Sadnesescary last year and everyone is a winner, I kid you not, this track being the second single. Listen out for the howly vocals that sound jut like that noise a balloon makes when you slowly let the air out!

Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

sfw Pada 09:19 1 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 15/11/14 - SOAK, Songhoy Blues, Adrian Crowley, Gerard Way, Milky Chance

Adrian Crowley Damon Albarn Gerard Way Milky Chance SOAK Songhoy Blues Tracks of the Week World Music Corner

Five tracks that charged our batteries!

Sfw:-

Flycasual:-
Songhoy Blues - 'Al Hassidi Terei' (2014)

Adrian Crowley - One Blue Morning (2014)

London Scouser:-

Gerard Way - 'Millions' (2014)

Shell Hunter:-

Milky Chance - 'Down By The River' (2014)

Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

sfw Pada 09:19 1 Komentar

Sunday, 5 October 2014

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 05/10/14 - Tony Allen & Damon Albarn, Hot Chip, The Fauns, Marianne Faithfull, Kongos

Damon Albarn Hot Chip Kongos Marianne Faithfull The Fauns Tony Allen Tracks of the Week World Music Corner

Five spiders that were in the 'house' for us this week!

Sfw:-

The Fauns - 4am (2014)

Whispery vocals with an infectious melody - whats not to like? 4am has been seductively waking me up on my drive to work this week. It perfectly matches the tiredness and dreamlike state that I seem to find myself before the birds get out of bed. The Fauns are from Bristol and have released their debut album Lights on Invada, the record label run by Portishead's Geoff Barrow. Nice

Old Pa's Corner:-

Marianne Faithfull - Late Victorian Holocaust (2014)

No prizes for guessing who was involved in this song. You guessed Nick Cave.

Marianne Faithfull’s album Give My Love to London (2014) is a cracker and no wonder when you see the list of names who have contributed.. Her band includes Portishead's Adrian Utley (guitars), Ed Harcourt (keyboards), Rob Ellis (drums), Dimitri Tikovoi (bass) + string quartet, and special guests Warren Ellis and Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds). Marianne has written most of the lyrics and the music was written by Nick Cave, Anna Calvi, Roger Waters, Pat Leonard, Tom McRae, Steve Earle.

This track is suitably dark and just up my Victorian Alley. Sweet little sleep to you all.

Shell Hunter:-

Kongos - 'Come With Me Now' (2014)

When I hear this track with the accordion, it makes me imagine I'm in a hillbilly's house party, probably a wooden shack somewhere by a river, with the whole place bumping with music and good vibes. God knows why because this group of 4 brothers are South African! It's got to be more Biltong than Beaver for the snacks thankfully. However, they've been living and recording in Phoenix for a long while though which has obviously helped them get their alternative rock/ Kwaito voices heard. They've got a couple of albums under their belt so far entitled Kongos and Lunatic which was originally released in 2012. Thankfully it's had a re-release this year otherwise we might have missed out!

London Scouser:-
Hot Chip - 'Go Bang' (2014)

Only last week I stated that I was waiting to hear something new from Hot Chip, so I googled and I found out that they had recorded a cover of a song by Arthur Russell for an upcoming tribute album. According to Wikipedia, Arthur Russell was a musician who spanned 4 decades and many more genres but who found most of his success in the disco scene. He died in 1992 from Aids and the tribute album 'Master Mix - Red Hot + Arthur Russell' which is released on October 21st will raise money for the Red Hot Foundation.

This track is 11 minutes long and definitely a disco hit and could have been written for them specifically, it will definitely give me my cravings for Hot Chip's until their next album.

Flycasual:-
Tony Allen - Go Back (feat Damon Albarn) (2014)

A superb, yet sobering track from Afro Beat drummer extraordinaire, Tony Allen, the one time member of Fela Kuti's legendary band Africa 70. 'Go Back' tells the plight of the African refugees who have ended up on the Italian island of Lampedusa and features long time collaborator (The Good, The Bad and The Queen, Rocket Juice and The Moon and Africa Express), Damon Albarn on vocals and keys. Taken from Tony's new album, Film of Life out later this month. If anything for the keyboard that sounds like a hotel lobby band, brilliant!

Tony Allen on Jazz Village Music....

Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

sfw Pada 03:37 2 Komentar

Saturday, 26 July 2014

Warsaw - They Walked in Line

Damon Albarn Latitude Warsaw Wednesday Club

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

LATITUDE - FESTIVAL INITIATION!


London Scouser walking in line!

WARSAW - They Walked in Line

I was so looking forward to my first ever Festival at 65. After all it was on my 'Bucket List'. The day arrived, It took us about 8 hours to get there and not the 4 hours that we anticipated. But that was not really a big deal. We got the tents up and beds all blown up (eventually) and it was time for a beer or two. Well deserved after the hard work.

Time to check out the Loos. Oh boy! I don't really like this. Rows of toilets. Gap at the top and bottom of the steel doors. No seat and sometimes the locks in the doors did not work. Having a slash was not really a problem, but I was dreading that 'poo moment'. I have never been a great 'away from home shitter' at the best of times. I am usually pretty regular, so it was going to happen. I had to accept this fact. Oh! and there was always that slight smell of disinfectant, mixed with piss and shit. I still get that smell occasionally to this day.

I had my own little room in a large tent shared with Shellhunter and London Scouser. The trouble is Old Farts like me get up 2 to 3 times during the night and and there were going to be inevitable 'Piss times' and there was no hiding place.

I had to get up, open the tent, then walk about 100 metres, dodging tents and guy ropes to get to the loos. I hated it.

I went again at 05:30 and got 'stage fright'. No 'number twos' made an appearance. It was pretty depressing.

I came back to the tent and a large bottle of water had spilled, I had left the top loose. My little room was swimming. I felt like screaming and I had to clean it up before trying to get some sleep.

I could not get back to sleep and just got up and shared some time with SFW. He felt exactly like me. 'What the hell am I doing here?' I like my comfort. I like my own toilet with my Take a Break to read and this is only day 1.

We found later that you could pay a sum of money for 'nice' toilets and this would enhance the 'hole' experience.

I was determined to deal with this. It was my personal challenge. Deal with it Old Pa! Deal with it!

Nature screamed again a day and a half later, this was a serious calling. I rushed to the toilets at the main stage Arena and was delighted when I went in to a enclosed type toilet and it was amazingly clean.

A constipated explosion! I did it! I did it! It happened, I had the biggest smile on my face. Thank God for ass wipes and baby wipes etc etc. I had a nice clean and perfumed botty too! I had beaten the toilets. I had arrived, I had passed the Festival Initiation test. Hit me with anything, I could handle anything now. Bring it on.

On a bum note:
On the Saturday night just before the Damon Albarn finale there was thunder and lightning and pouring rain. We all 'Walked in Line' back to our tents, a 15 min walk.

'One last 'pee' before going back to the tent' I said to myself. I had my wallet in my Rain Jacket so it would not get wet. I bent over to 'pee' and plonk! my wallet fell down the pan into the murky sludge that was masses of poo and pee and chemicals all mixed together and gurgling. Gone were my Charge Card and near £100 pounds. Would you have put your arm down there? Fuck that! You know you get these stories about guys during the war hiding in the latrines to escape. It make you vomit just thinking about it. Well done guys!

I know you don't want to hear it, but I bought one of those bottles with a wide opening and screw lid. Well what would you do?

Next week I will tell you about the good side of the Festival. It was not all bad. Believe me. There was the music.

THE TOILET BOWL CLEANERS - The Poop Song

sfw Pada 01:01 5 Komentar

Sunday, 26 January 2014

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 26/01/14 - Damon Albarn, Beck, Silversun Pickups, Linkin Park and Steve Aoki, Future Islands

Beck Damon Albarn Future Islands Linkin Park Silversun Pickups Steve Aoki Tracks of the Week

Five tracks to enjoy in the pub garden...just bring your wellies!

Shell Hunter:-

Future Islands - 'Seasons (Waiting On You)' (2014)

My favourite synth-pop group finally have a new single out, followed by a new ablum entitled 'Singles' in March! Future Islands fast became my most listened to group of 2011 (see more here) and are also due to do a couple of gigs here in London in the next few months. This video is a cocked Stetson to cowboys and fits perfectly with their signature 80s dreamy sound. I'm definitely feeling a grower in this one, it gives me goose bumps! Why, it's purtier than a new calf in springtime!

London Scouser:-

Linkin Park & Steve Aoki - 'A Light That Never Comes' (2013)

I find it hard to believe that this is Linkin Park's 25th single release. I was a huge fan when they came onto the scene in 2000 but I felt that after a while their tracks sounded a bit samey. And this track has elements of the samey-ness that drove me away a little, but maybe the electro addition that Steve Aoki brought to the party has helped (is it me or does the intro sound like 'Kickstarts by Example ??). This was released in October last year and has only just hit my musical radar. Its from their second remix album 'Recharged' and on the strength of this I'll certainly give it a listen.

Old Pa's Corner:-
Beck - Blue Moon (2014)

Mr Hansen has been very frugal with tasters from his long awaited new album Morning Phase (2014) I heard bits of this track a few weeks ago and was pretty impressed. Now that I have heard the full track it was worth the wait. If the rest of the album is on a par then we have a real classic on our hands. But I have always thought that Beck albums are pretty inconsistent, there's usually some inspirational brilliance mixed in with a lot of mediocrity. I am sure this will not impress all you Beck die hards, saying that I recognise the brilliance and am thirsty for some more.

Flycasual:-

Damon Albarn - 'Everyday Robots' (2014)

I promised myself that if I ever got a smartphone I wouldn't be like one of the countless people, aimlessly walking around with their heads buried in their device, always connected, always aloof. Unfortunately I have become an everyday robot, like the opening line of this song, as I find myself doing just that, a scourge on modern society, I suppose. Despite the sobering tone, the first single taken from Damon Albarn's solo album of the same name, is a fabulously bleak track with the strings particularity haunting, a sign of things to come. I'm a big fan of Damon in all his forms and will be looking forward to it's release sometime in April.....oooh a text, somebody sent me a pic of a cat in a suit..ahh!!!

Damon Albarn's website here....

Sfw:-

Silversun Pickups - 'Cannibal' (2014)

The Los Angeles foursome are a band that I'll occasionally listen to when I need a fix of some fuzz-pop. It's scary to think that they've been around for nearly 10 years and in Feb, they will be releasing The Singles Collection. It features tracks from the band's debut EP, 2005's Pikul, and three full-length albums: 2006's Carnavas, 2009's Swoon, and 2012's Neck of the Woods. "Cannibal" is the one new track on the release. Smashing Pumpkins-meets-NIN.

Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

sfw Pada 07:05 3 Komentar

Thursday, 16 January 2014

Africa Express: Songhoy Blues - 'Soubour' / Ghostpoet - 'Season Change'

Damon Albarn Flycasual Ghostpoet Mali Songhoy Blues World Music Corner

WORLD MUSIC CORNER...

Ah Damon Albarn, a musical superhero! When he's not rescuing pop music, he's out in Africa discovering fresh musical talent with his Africa Express project. Maison Des Jeunes is the latest compilation and also the name of the youth centre in Bamako, Mali where Damon Albarn set his 'pop up' studio to recorded it in only a week. There he held an open invitation for new Malian musicians to perform with the likes of Brian Eno, Dave Maclean from Django Django, guitarist Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and London emcee, Ghostpoet amongst others (click here for a full list of collaborators). Mali is an unbelievably diverse and musically rich country which the album reflects, showcasing a new generation of stars recorded during that 7 day period and deservedly exposing them to Western ears. It's a musical delight and on heavy rotation with me at the moment, Ghostpoet and Songhoy Blues are among the many highlights.

There will be an exclusive featurette on BBC6 music of the story behind Maison Des Jeunes on Sunday 19th Jan at 1pm, all part of the radio station's African Music weekend (17-19 January 2013) . If you missed it and are reading this in retrospect in the year 2032, then click on the BBC6 Music website here to catch a podcast or something.

Songhoy Blues - 'Soubour'

This band hailing out of Timbuktu, formed in direct response to the Islamists who banned music whilst occupying their city only last year. It's an incredibly ferocius retort, loud,with an incendary riff and some amazing guitar work, a real powerful statement in protest. Ban This!

Ghostpoet - 'Season Change'

Here we have my favourite cup of tea toting rapper with the 'I can't be bothered' delivery, Ghostpoet teaming up with Bamako drum band, Doucoura, London bassman, Two Inch Punch and Damon Albarn for a low-key and atmospheric number with some immaculate percussion.

Stream Maison Des Jeunes here from Spotify....

Africa Express website...

Want to listen to something different? Then try out TuneDr's World Music Corner playlist...

sfw Pada 02:40 1 Komentar

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Owiny Sigoma Band - 'Wires'

Damon Albarn Gilles Peterson Kenya Owiny Sigoma Band World Music Corner

World Music Corner

Owiny Sigoma Band - 'Wires' (2011)

I've decided I'm not going to mention the weather or the whereabouts of a British Summer anymore. Lord knows I've harangued long enough about it to the point of exhaustion.....rain, you utter bastard!!

Mixing traditional Kenyan Lou style music with other African and western influences, The Owiny Sigoma Band's mellow, bass heavy grooves and Afro beat drumming, have definitely kept me afloat and smiling over the last few weeks, especially the Soukouss flavoured 'Wires'.

The Owiny Sigoma Band started off when a group of London musicians went to Kenya for a musical exchange, promoting local bands and Hip Hop Artists, before finally meeting Nyaiti (traditional Kenyan string instrument) musician Joseph Nyamungu. Along with Joseph and other local musicians they recorded a series of demos which caught the ear of Gilles Peterson who subsequently signed them up to his Brownswood Recordings label and commissioned the band to produce this album. Damon Albarn's organ skills feature on a few of the tracks too, in for me, was a thoroughly enjoyable album, it's well the time.r />

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sfw Pada 22:00 1 Komentar

Sunday, 16 October 2011

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 16/10/2011

Damon Albarn DRC Music Mountain Goats Nick Waterhouse Radiohead Tracks of the Week Tune Doctor World Music Corner

It's Sunday, it's time for the tracks of the week. Here are four tatties to dip into your gravy. Do you have any Yorkies for us?

Sfw:-

Radiohead - Give up the Ghost (2011)

This is for all the people who dismissed the King Of Limbs, I always said it would be a slow burner and Give up the Ghost is just (another) gem that when heard in isolation reminds you why Radiohead are one of the National Treasures...

Old Pa's Corner:-
Mountain Goats - Beautiful Gas Mask (2011)

I just Can't stop playing the Mountain Goats's new album, 'All Eternal's Deck'. I keep getting a new favourite, first it was, 'Damn the Vampires' quickly followed by 'The Autopsy Garland' and at the moment 'Beautiful Gas Mask' is my 'rave'. Great voice and great lyrics, a bit of Alt-Country feel or even a bit of R.E.M. I asked my wife what track did she like of the three? she replied 'they are all depressing', the perfect answer for me! I just love them, give them a try. I hope they will 'bleat' for you too.

Pet Sounds

Flycasual:-

DRC Music - Hallo (feat Tout Puissant Mukalo and Nelly Liyeage) (2011)

Despite a 9 year gap since 2002's Mali Music, Damon Albarn continues his love affair with African music with an new project, in DRC Music (Democratic Republic of Congo). He visited with a collective of producers (notably long term collaborator Dan The Automator) with the ambitious premise to record the album in 7 days and all the proceeds to go to Oxfam's work in the country. During the week local Musicians would come and go recording sessions with Damon and his crew, who would then blend the traditional with the modern to create the album Kinshasa One Two. Hallo, for me is probably the stand out track, showing that despite the time frame, the gifted mr Albarn definitely has an ear for a tune. Talented musicians, good music, good cause, job done!

Shell Hunter:-
Nick Waterhouse - Is That Clear (2011)

You know that new sound you're looking for? Well, listen to this!

Is That Clear by Nick Waterhouse

I love it when an artist revisits a genre of yesteryear and does it well, much like Marty Mcfly performing "Johnny B Goode" in Back to the Future. Nick Waterhouse is 25, based in San Francisco and obviously has a passion for 1950's R & B American music, even using vintage analogue equipment to give it that authentic retro crackle. Full of sax, clinkin' pianos and rocking guitars, it'll have you swinging your partner all over the place in an instant. If you like this, check out his 4 track EP released in August, which includes a great cover of Them's "I can only give you everything". If it's not for you, I guess you folks aren't ready for this yet, but you're parents are gonna love it!