It's been a surprisingly good week despite being chockablock busy. Music wise, I'll be honest and say that I haven't really had the time to even look for new music, let alone think of some constructive and worthwhile words to say (some would argue I've never reached that level).
So, in the spirit of doing things differently, here's a brilliantly instructional video about the origins of the Amen break, the drum loop that was chopped and screwed to form beats for most of hip hop, jungle and the earlier forms of drum and bass.
True, it does last for 18minutes but it is so wonderfully instructional and detailed without being complex, anyone with a vested interest in those genres will find it a pleasure to learn the derivation of it's core element - the drums.
Friday, 28 January 2011
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Flying Lotus Radio 1 takeover
As I mentioned last week, Benji B's show was taken over by Flying Lotus this week with a whole host of Brainfeeder special guests including Gaslamp Killer, Teebs and Matthew David.
Listen again for 7 days here.
Listen again for 7 days here.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Hendrick's Breakaway
I don't talk Hockey much (not on here anyway) but after what has been a rather hit and miss season where expectations were so high, it is nice to see the Caps returning to what looks like some sort of form and playing some watchable hockey again.
This happened on Saturday night by a player not exactly known for his finesse and the smile on my face stretched from ear to ear.
This happened on Saturday night by a player not exactly known for his finesse and the smile on my face stretched from ear to ear.
Friday, 21 January 2011
Friday Eargasm - 3 Amp Fuse
This weeks eargasm comes from Belleruche, a three piece whose roots lie in soul and blues but over the course of their three albums have always pushed for progression and an ethos that promotes creativity. An unusual lineup of guitar, DJ and vocalist, Belleruche's 2010 album 270 stories was the first time I was really able to connect with the band as they moved on from their almost background soul to a more consistent, evocative and almost abrasive record. The depth in sound that having a DJ offers to a band felt hidden on earlier records but finally it feels like DJ Modest is allowed to offer more than beats to the tracks.
Saying that, the track I've chosen, 3 Amp Fuse, is built around grandiose big-beat drums with little of a 'soul' inflection on the track. The song's swirling claustrophobic atmosphere is the epitome of this record showing that at the core of Belleruche is solid songwriting, fighting off what could easily become a formulaic and tiresome direction. Menacing string lines are introduced as the song builds on the looped drum line and though the song's climax is less than climatic, the song manages to achieve a sense that it has arrived at it's intended destination when it was supposed to and eases slowly out of the climax too.
This is a wonderfully crafted song as it shows that soul does not have to be brash and screechy to still pull decent punches.
Saying that, the track I've chosen, 3 Amp Fuse, is built around grandiose big-beat drums with little of a 'soul' inflection on the track. The song's swirling claustrophobic atmosphere is the epitome of this record showing that at the core of Belleruche is solid songwriting, fighting off what could easily become a formulaic and tiresome direction. Menacing string lines are introduced as the song builds on the looped drum line and though the song's climax is less than climatic, the song manages to achieve a sense that it has arrived at it's intended destination when it was supposed to and eases slowly out of the climax too.
This is a wonderfully crafted song as it shows that soul does not have to be brash and screechy to still pull decent punches.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Benji B & J Rocc
I'll be the first to admit I was dubious when Benji B took over from Mary Anne Hobbs, it was like a new pet replacing your favourite old one. Yeah it was good but it wasn't the original. Luckily, every week since, Benji B has gone out of his way to prove me utterly and completely wrong with equally brilliant music, great special guests and a presenting style that is completely his own - exactly what I loved in MAH.
Last night was no different with turntablist extraordinaire J Rocc co-hosting and in the mix for a whole hour. The whole show is bright and breezy in keeping with J Rocc's choices and his own styles whilst still previewing some great cuts from his upcoming album, some old school hip hop via modern electronica including Actress and Ramadanman.
Listen again here until next week
Oh, and in case that wasn't enough, next week's show will be hosted by Fly Lo doing a Brainfeeder special.
Wow. BBC know how to make unmissable radio.
Oh, and in case that wasn't enough, next week's show will be hosted by Fly Lo doing a Brainfeeder special.
Wow. BBC know how to make unmissable radio.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
The return of Death From Above 1979
One of perhaps the most surprising additions to the Coachella 2011 line up was snuck in at the bottom on Sunday, Death From Above 1979. The same dance-punk duo that split in 2006 who ferociously tore apart every live show they played creating a cacophony of noise with just a drum kit and bass guitar. Their stated mission was that a lot of dance music was created with just drums and bass so how far could they take the same formula in a rock environment and the results were instantly pleasing and riotous.
What was created was an electrifying record in You're A Woman, I'm A Machine that tore through 11 tracks in just over half an hour and created a stir for many years.
So, finally, they have decided to return with comments yet to appear from the band about new material etc. However, the thought of DFA1979 rocking Glastonbury may be a little too much for me to take and I'd be perfectly happy to watch them just perform that brilliant debut. The only downside of this reformation may be the decline of MSTRKRFT remixes but again, no comment has been made on the statement of the duo so fingers crossed they can all coexist.
Impossible to choose a favourite song so here's my first, Little Girl.
Let's Make Love and Listen To Death From Above
What was created was an electrifying record in You're A Woman, I'm A Machine that tore through 11 tracks in just over half an hour and created a stir for many years.
So, finally, they have decided to return with comments yet to appear from the band about new material etc. However, the thought of DFA1979 rocking Glastonbury may be a little too much for me to take and I'd be perfectly happy to watch them just perform that brilliant debut. The only downside of this reformation may be the decline of MSTRKRFT remixes but again, no comment has been made on the statement of the duo so fingers crossed they can all coexist.
Impossible to choose a favourite song so here's my first, Little Girl.
Let's Make Love and Listen To Death From Above
Monday, 17 January 2011
Monday Motivator - Just One Second
After an unplanned but pretty heavy weekend, I'm feeling foggy today to say the least. Often unplanned drinks are the best ones and this was no exception with a premiership crown, a Placebo renaissance and consecutive headaches to show for it (no Champions League though).
Today is also known as Blue Monday, supposedly the most depressing day of the year. Now, I'm universally in a bad mood on Mondays so today was no exception and with a long run ahead of me this evening, I'm hoping the adrenaline and exercise will pick me up. My bad moods tend to consist of a lot of frowning, being generally quite quiet and giving up and going to bed quite early; it's safe to say I'm not great at fighting them off.
If you have the Monday blues, I can almost guarantee however that for the 5 or so minutes that this track is on, you'll feel better. I always end up repeating it too so this could easily sort you out for 20 minutes. 20 minutes of happiness on a rainy Monday is actually a pretty reasonable amount too so you should have no complaints.
London Elektricity - Just One Second
Today is also known as Blue Monday, supposedly the most depressing day of the year. Now, I'm universally in a bad mood on Mondays so today was no exception and with a long run ahead of me this evening, I'm hoping the adrenaline and exercise will pick me up. My bad moods tend to consist of a lot of frowning, being generally quite quiet and giving up and going to bed quite early; it's safe to say I'm not great at fighting them off.
If you have the Monday blues, I can almost guarantee however that for the 5 or so minutes that this track is on, you'll feel better. I always end up repeating it too so this could easily sort you out for 20 minutes. 20 minutes of happiness on a rainy Monday is actually a pretty reasonable amount too so you should have no complaints.
London Elektricity - Just One Second
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Adele - Someone Like You
I've been sitting on this song for a while now, trying to think of a mature and eloquent way to describe it. Then you realise it is written and sung by a 21 year old and think that some songs don't need deconstructing and explaining, sometimes they're just brilliantly written. This is rarely my type of music so that should highlight just what a wonderful track this is.
I'll openly admit that I've paid little attention to Adele but if the rest of her upcoming album is anywhere near as good as this, it'll be a cracking offering.
Take 5 minutes of your day to just sit and listen.
I'll openly admit that I've paid little attention to Adele but if the rest of her upcoming album is anywhere near as good as this, it'll be a cracking offering.
Take 5 minutes of your day to just sit and listen.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Monday Motivator - I Crave Paris
Whenever I DJ, I almost always play the Aeroplane remix of Friendly Fires' Paris. The remix has moved from the relative underground into mainstream over the last 12 months and continues to grow in popularity with a wide range of crowds; the indie kids love the Friendly Fires reference and the dance crowd love the dirty breakdown and the chilled-house vibe.
Appearing towards the end of summer 2010, originators the remix Aeroplane took Flight Facilities' Crave, put the accapella on top of their Paris track and remixed their own remix. Still with me?
Anyway, check it out, it's not quite the 7 minute epic that Paris is but to hear a different vocal over the top that seems to have almost been made for this track is a treat.
I Crave Paris by Aeroplane (Official)
Appearing towards the end of summer 2010, originators the remix Aeroplane took Flight Facilities' Crave, put the accapella on top of their Paris track and remixed their own remix. Still with me?
Anyway, check it out, it's not quite the 7 minute epic that Paris is but to hear a different vocal over the top that seems to have almost been made for this track is a treat.
I Crave Paris by Aeroplane (Official)
Saturday, 8 January 2011
This
Often I've commented on how lyrics say the words I'm thinking but am notoriously bad at saying.
I've also said that Big Poppa E is one of the most incredible poets that I've ever heard.
Enjoy this and everything else that is on YouTube.
I've also said that Big Poppa E is one of the most incredible poets that I've ever heard.
Enjoy this and everything else that is on YouTube.
January
A week old already. Despite having accomplished a lot in this last week, there is still so much more to do, so many more people to see and more things to be done. It is exciting and terrifying. Plans are once again afoot.
My sense of 'new music' has actually stagnated an alarming amount with only remixes and a few tracks here and there really approaching regular listening. This has given me time to revisit albums that I love and catch up on other's I've missed, for which I'm always grateful. Music is a fuel and though I'm learning to prioritise it in a different way, it is still an indescribable experience to sit down, put on my headphones and truly listen to something.
Anyway, until there's some really incredible music to talk about I'm going to (probably) cut back on here, intentionally for once. I have other projects that are coming to a head that will need discussing soon enough anyway. I'll still have my Friday Eargasms and Monday Motivators when I'm not too busy but as training takes up more minutes of the day, time for writing disappears.
Anyway, you definitely should listen to the London Session by LCD Soundsystem as it's finally on Spotify. Undoubtedly my band of summer 2010, he is not only one of the most intelligent lyricists, but one of the most self-aware and eloquent musicians.
I've linked to All My Friends as it is simply sublime and this live version captures a perviously buried guitar but really, listen to it all. One of the defining bands of our generation, one hopes.
LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends (London Sessions)
My sense of 'new music' has actually stagnated an alarming amount with only remixes and a few tracks here and there really approaching regular listening. This has given me time to revisit albums that I love and catch up on other's I've missed, for which I'm always grateful. Music is a fuel and though I'm learning to prioritise it in a different way, it is still an indescribable experience to sit down, put on my headphones and truly listen to something.
Anyway, until there's some really incredible music to talk about I'm going to (probably) cut back on here, intentionally for once. I have other projects that are coming to a head that will need discussing soon enough anyway. I'll still have my Friday Eargasms and Monday Motivators when I'm not too busy but as training takes up more minutes of the day, time for writing disappears.
Anyway, you definitely should listen to the London Session by LCD Soundsystem as it's finally on Spotify. Undoubtedly my band of summer 2010, he is not only one of the most intelligent lyricists, but one of the most self-aware and eloquent musicians.
I've linked to All My Friends as it is simply sublime and this live version captures a perviously buried guitar but really, listen to it all. One of the defining bands of our generation, one hopes.
LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends (London Sessions)
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Happy New Year
I hope you're well and that 2011 is an exciting and prosperous one for you. It feels good to have a fresh start; it is purely a mental thing as you can make a clean break whenever you so choose but the changing of a calendar year is reason enough to leave the celebratory season behind and start again anew with earnest.
I had a wonderful Christmas break. I was able to catch up with lots of friends, spent lots of time with my family and just enough time doing what I needed to do. As tends to be the case, my highlight was NYE, a fantastic and exhilarating set at PA and then the party at my flat involving disgusting amounts of alcohol, the breaking of our banister, more Spice Girls than I care for and more than one Love Train. A brilliant time with brilliant friends.
So, 2011 begins. The BBC Sound Of 2011 countdown has already begun. Soon enough, festival lineups will start to be announced/flesh out, new albums will start to appear and wonderful remixes will also surface. I feel that I'm heading into this year almost musically blind. I cannot wait for the Jamie XX/Gil Scott-Heron remix album to appear on XL Recordings in the near future. There's also the long-awaited new album from Explosions In The Sky. Apart from that, my musical mind is drawing blanks. There'll probably be another Mumford album but will the pressure be too much to handle? There's also in theory a new Portishead and Radiohead album. Who knows. It'll be tough to beat last year's output but that's what the industry should always be striving for.
I'm going to give my ears a little rest for a few days, the pressure of a 4.5 hour set at PA meant I listened to an awful lot of music to prepare and though I flew blind for almost my entire set, it was an exhausting experience.
In the meantime however, I'd recommend reading this very interesting article by the always brilliant Alexis Petridis regarding the Radio 1 takeover and their policies on New Music and Playlisting.
Happy New Year to each and every one of you.
I had a wonderful Christmas break. I was able to catch up with lots of friends, spent lots of time with my family and just enough time doing what I needed to do. As tends to be the case, my highlight was NYE, a fantastic and exhilarating set at PA and then the party at my flat involving disgusting amounts of alcohol, the breaking of our banister, more Spice Girls than I care for and more than one Love Train. A brilliant time with brilliant friends.
So, 2011 begins. The BBC Sound Of 2011 countdown has already begun. Soon enough, festival lineups will start to be announced/flesh out, new albums will start to appear and wonderful remixes will also surface. I feel that I'm heading into this year almost musically blind. I cannot wait for the Jamie XX/Gil Scott-Heron remix album to appear on XL Recordings in the near future. There's also the long-awaited new album from Explosions In The Sky. Apart from that, my musical mind is drawing blanks. There'll probably be another Mumford album but will the pressure be too much to handle? There's also in theory a new Portishead and Radiohead album. Who knows. It'll be tough to beat last year's output but that's what the industry should always be striving for.
I'm going to give my ears a little rest for a few days, the pressure of a 4.5 hour set at PA meant I listened to an awful lot of music to prepare and though I flew blind for almost my entire set, it was an exhausting experience.
In the meantime however, I'd recommend reading this very interesting article by the always brilliant Alexis Petridis regarding the Radio 1 takeover and their policies on New Music and Playlisting.
Happy New Year to each and every one of you.
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