Freddie Scott – (You) Got what I need


I was in the mood to post some hip hop today, but then I remembered this. It is sampled in two rap songs that I really like and am sure will post at some stage (*Spoiler alert* – Biz Markie – Just a friend and Ghostface – Save me dear).

It is interesting how being sampled can make you hear a song in a new light and give it new life. However, I can’t think of another track that has been used twice in songs I enjoy. Let me know which of the three you prefer, or if you can think of another song that has been productively sampled more than once.

Miles Davis – Someday My Prince Will Come


I thought a change of pace was in order following a few days of fairly recent pop music. Not that it was a bad thing, I just get bored with too much of the same thing. Jazz is something I don’t feel grown up enough to really appreciate fully. Somehow I have always loved this track though – it is so smooth and soothing and this combined with hint of wistfulness is a powerful mixture. It has been a welcome calming influence on few occasions when I have needed it.

/RjK

Los Campesinos! – Death to Los Campesinos!


Los Campesinos are a band I came across a couple of years ago. I think they are from Cardiff having formed while studying there.

The track is a little unpolished but I like it’s energy.

/RjK

Miami Horror – Holidays


These guys are quite a recent find and I have to confess to not knowing much about them, other than they are Australian (I seem to be hearing a lot from down under of late).

This song is a breezy potential summer anthem, even if the video is somewhat surreal.

/RjK

New Order – Age of consent


For me, New Order ARE the 80’s. They were the first band that really lead me to realise that it was a decade worth investigating.

Just as I struggled yesterday to pick out one track in particular, today was also a challenge. I wanted to mark my 50th post with a bang so I thought I would go with this – something I think to be an underrated gem.

/RjK

The Rolling Stones – Gimme shelter


This is my very favourite Stones track, and I am not sure it’s even that close. If I ever needed a produce call to arms, I would use this for background music.

/RjK

Josh Rouse – 1972


I was big on Josh Rouse while at university culminating in seeing him play an excellent gig what seems like a lifetime ago in Belfast. I had subsequently forgotten about him somewhat.

This track, taken from the album of the same name, shuffled on to my MP3 player this week and reminded me how much I enjoyed it. Gentle and contemplative, it made me think of some happy times gone by.

/RjK

J Dilla featuring Pharoahe Monche – Love


J Dilla was a DJ from Detroit who sadly died much too young a few years ago. He produced some of my favourite tracks for artists like Common, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots and Slum Village. Hearing this on the radio recently reminded me just how talented he was. The man knew a beat when he heard one.