19th December 2012

Belouis Some* – Imagination (Mr Rossi False Opposition Edit) 

Mr.Rossi, the DJ who remixed this sent it to me speculatively over Soundcloud. It was great that someone took the time to send me something, particularly given that it is exactly my kind of thing.

I really like it’s sound – a modern take on a quintessentially 80’s track. I also think it follows on rather well from Helen’s Ian Dury post yesterday given both track’s somewhat irreverent vibe.

Imagination….

Thanks Mr.Rossi!

/RjK

*Artist #577

18th December 2012

Ian Dury and The Blockheads* – Hit me with your rhythm stick | (Helen Chandler guest post)

Hit me with your rhythm stick / It’s nice to be a lunatic. What a great lyric. Every couplet in this song makes me smile. Not in a beaming ‘I’m so happy’ sort of way, but more in a wry ‘ah, very clever’ acknowledgement of Dury’s lyrical elasticity. Ian Dury was fantastically strange, clever and original.

There’s a bench dedicated to him at Poets’ Corner in Richmond Park, which I’ve been meaning to visit. It was originally intended to act as a listening point where you could plug in headphones and listen to Dury’s music. But it was repeatedly vandalised so that lovely element had to be scrapped. This is why we can’t have nice things.
/HC
*Artist #576

17th December 2012

Shabazz Palaces – Recollections of the wraith

Over recent days I have been totally smitten by this, probably more so than any track I have heard in the past few weeks. The sample so fresh, I have found myself utterly hypnotised by it.

Some nice mellow listening to ease us all into the last week before Christmas. It is taken from Seattle-based hip hoppers Shabazz Palaces’ debut studio album Black Up.

Is it just me or can I hear a bit of Outkast in their music?

/RjK

16th December 2012

The New Radicals* – You get what you give

I am at home for the weekend visiting my family. Somehow this made it on to my father’s dinner mix last night! I had completely forgotten about it. It is something of a pop gem and 90’s throwback (with a video to match), really bringing me back to my school days.

Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson, Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson…

/RjK

*Artist #575

Oddisee – Beach Dr.


Washington D.C. artist Oddisee has been a big favourite of mine over the past couple of years. He makes music that is both articulate and funky, a potent mixture.

He has had a very prolific 18 months, releasing to excellent albums (Rock Creek Parks, which this is taken from as well as The Carter Baron which I posted earlier in the year and People hear what they see) and Odd Renditions, a mix tape full of interesting mash ups (such as the Aretha Franklin/Bon Iver number which I also posted a couple of months ago).

I really like this track, it is simple and mellow which was exactly what I needed as I recovered from my excesses on Thursday evening (just about there now).

/RjK

14th December 2012

Sister Sledge – He’s the greatest dancer (GPF)


I was at my office Christmas party last night. Things really got out of hand. Needless to say I am feeling rather delicate this morning.

Also, for some unknown reason the Wikipedia page for this song was open on my phone when I woke up. Clearly my drunken self was trying to send a message.

/RjK

13th December 2012

Local Natives* – Breakers (NAT) | (Helen Chandler guest post)

I really love Local Natives. I’m more excited about their new album ‘Hummingbird’ (out January 29th) than any I can remember for a while. Their debut, Gorilla Manor, was among my most played albums of 2009/2010. There’s something about the way they do soaring melodies and inventive percussion that makes their sound really rich. They are at once poppy and melodic and brooding and clever.
Breakers isn’t a huge departure for them – it still sounds very much like Local Natives. They’ve darkened things up a little, perhaps – there’s none of the cuteness of ‘Airplanes’ here. I’m hopeful that it’s a sign of good things to come.
 /HC
*Artist #574

12th December 2012

Van Morrison – Domino

I have probably waxed lyrical enough about the regard I have for Van’s music. Suffice to say, I think he’s got some game.

I had forgotten how good this sounds until it came on my MP3 player as I was walking home from work last night. From the jangly (not sure this is the correct technical term) intro to the horns and relentless energy throughout it is both a great pop song and a throwback to Fats Domino and all the great 50’s and 60’s Rhythm and Blues.

There are also several very tasty live versions (which are well worth checking out on YouTube where available). Not least the one on the seminal It’s too late to stop now which is both a personal favourite album and a guiding maxim.

/RjK

11th December 2012

The Dynamics* – Yes I love you baby

Northern Soul classic from Detroit legends The Dynamics. I really like how well the vocals play off each other here, especially the falsetto part.

Ain’t no doubt about it…

/RjK

*Artist #573

Best Coast – When I’m with you


Another stellar tune from 2011 blog favourites Best Coast, who checked in at number 21 in my Top 30 of 2011 with Sun was high (so was I).

I really like their sunny, washed out sound. It’s just a pity Monday morning in Dublin doesn’t have the weather to match! Not sure what the faux-Ronald McDonald is all about in the video but it kind of works in a strange way I suppose!

/RjK