Monthly Archives: April 2012

Jeff Buckley – Lover, you should’ve come over

This is taken from the late, great Jeff Buckley’s spectacular 1994 album Grace. His was a tragic story; he died far too young and was the son of the richly talented Tim Buckley who also died before his time.
Grace was the first album that made me realise there was a whole universe of spectacular music that existed beyond what I heard on the radio. I found it in my father’s collection. There was something arresting about the album cover (backdrop to video), Buckley’s stoic pose struck a chord. I am very glad it caught my eye.
/RjK

Aside

Common featuring Slum Village – Thelonious

This is a gem off Common’s 2000 album Like water for chocolate. Whilst the lyrics are a little indelicate, the beat, from Slum Village’s J.Dilla, is simply irresistible. 

RjK

Bruce Springsteen* – Streets of fire


I noticed that The Boss released a new record, Wrecking Ball (his 17th studio album!), a couple of weeks ago. It surprised me that I hadn’t posted any songs by him yet. I wouldn’t say I was his biggest fan but you can’t help but admire his longevity and volume of output.

This track is taken from my favourite of his, Darkness on the edge of town. He looks impossibly young and aloof on the sleeve and the album is full of raw and vivid stories from a hungry young man.

/RjK

*Artist  #418

7th April 2012

Vondelpark – HipBone

London band Vondelpark were favourites from last year that I have finally gotten round to revisiting. I was in the mood for something quiet and this was just the tonic. It is hypnotic and has a washed out sound that seems to be en vogue at the moment. 

And you’ve got it going for you… 

RjK

Aside

Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive (GPF)

I was going to post some more 90’s R’n’B today but I held off as I perhaps have been going a little overboard with it recently.

This is classic disco. Also, what a great video! It’s hard to be a bit of walking in unison.

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk I’m a woman’s man, no time to talk… 

RjK

Aside

EMA* – California (NAT)

EMA, South Dakota singer Erika M. Anderson, is angry!

This is a little poppier and more angular than my normal diet but I have also been feeling an increasing sense of frustration recently and the sound of her venting struck a chord with me!

RjK

*Artist #417

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The Spinners* – It’s a shame

I was listening to a mix and interview with Frankie Knuckles, who coined the term House music, this weekend. It was like a funky history lesson and very much recommended listening if you have any interest in that type of music. He played this and I was reminded of what a great song it it.

It’s a shame people don’t dance like this anymore.

RjK

*Artist #416

Clipse* – Nightmares


This was one of the sounds of the year I spent in California. My roommate used to have it as the ringtone on his cell phone. Remember when downloading ring tones was a thing? Do people still do that?

It is a good track, now that I don’t hear it at least a couple of times a day I can finally appreciate it! The hook features Bilal, one of only a handful of modern soul artists that I think are worth a listen.

/RjK

*Artist #415

2nd April 2012

Erykah Badu* – Window Seat

I am a little late on this as it was released a couple of years ago. It is nonetheless great and I was reminded of it when I was at home over the weekend. It’s so smooth and mellow.

Random fact about Erykah Badu – Ms.Jackson, the Outkast song, is inspired by her relationship with Andre 3000 from the band.

RjK

*Artist #414

R.E.M. – Electrolite


This is taken from New Adventures in Hi-Fi, which was the first record I can remember getting genuinely excited about it’s release. I utterly loved it’s predecessors Monster and especially Automatic for The People, which I listened to insessantly on my Walkman (those were the days). However, they were both released before I really knew what music was and what it meant to me.

I was, and still am, a sucker for a song that paints a vivid image. R.E.M. are masters at this, and both this track and Nightswimming opened my eyes to this phenomenon. While I still don’t know exactly what they are on about in either track I still very much enjoy the ride. 

If you ever want to fly. Mulholland Drive. Up in the sky… 

RjK