Nneka* – Shining Star (Joe Goddard Remix)
Unlimited Four* – I Wanna Be Happy
Today has been Damon Albarn day on 6music. My ears have been full of Blur and madcap collaborations. I have to give it up for DA, that guy’s got some skills.
This is a favourite from The Great Escape, which was released at the pinnacle of the Blur vs Oasis Britpop hysteria. Heady days. It is only since I began to work that I have become familiar with the phenomenon of the charmless man, much to my disappointment. It is certainly a realisation I could have lived without!
I met him in a crowded room, where people go to drink away their gloom. He sat me down and so began the story of a charmless man…
/RjK
Lambchop* – Up with people
This, from Nashville band Lambchop, is one of the most infectiously upbeat songs I can think of. It has an almost evangelical feel. I really like singer Kurt Wagner’s very distinctive voice which I think it adds a lot.
There is something about it that makes it a perfect spring tune, and it was typical UK spring weather in London today. Four seasons in the space of an hour!
It is taken from the Album Nixon, which I think explains the slightly odd video here.
RjK
*Artist #426
Brandy and Monica* – The boy is mine (GPF)
Sometimes you can’t escape your past. As much as I wish it weren’t true I am a total sucker for 90’s R’nB. In my defence I fell for it before I knew any better. It is the Kryptonite to my musical Clark Kent.
This is so slickly produced, just listen to the strings! To think that Brandy and Monica were once so famous they could both go by their first names only. I suspect that it may no longer be the case…
You can say what you wanna say, what we have you can’t take. From the truth you can’t escape, I can tell the real from the fake…
RjK
*Artist #425
I don’t know much about these guys beyond the fact that they are German and I hadn’t heard them before the past couple weeks.
This is very enjoyable even if it flirts with being overly maudlin. It has a somber power that I find quite striking and the ambiance fitted in well with my downbeat mood caused by the wretched weather in London this week.
/RjK
*Artist #424
Napoleon – I love my baby (but if anyone touches her I’ll kill them)
Swedish band Napoleon were one of the very first that I posted at the start of last year. This was because they were favourites from 2009 and 10 when the blog was just an idea fermenting in my head.
I really like their energy and sense of fun. It is difficult to listen to them and not smile. This is taken from the wonderfully named Bohemians won the series and the little guy joined the band. The album title alone is enough to like them!
RjK
Tommy James and The Sondells* – Crystal Blue Persuasion
I have to admit I am still pretty enthralled by the song I posted yesterday, it is an early contender for my favourite record of the year. This made it challenging to think of something else to post today.
Anyway, I put my MP3 player on random as I walked home and decided to post whatever grabbed me and the fates decided it was going to be this.
It has a classic 60’s sound, with a pretty good video to match here. I first heard it on the soundtrack to the movie Zodiac (well worth a watch if you don’t know it). Soundtracks can be rich pickings for new music if you as music of an anorak as I am!
RjK
*Artist #423
Sun Araw, M. Geddes Gengras & The Congos* – Happy Song
This was ideal listening earlier for a jarring Monday morning. It is mellow, languid and hypnotic and soothed the day away.
This is taken from an interesting upcoming collaboration between roots reggae pioneers The Congos and hip LA band Sun Araw. I intend to investigate it some more as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
RjK
*Artist #422
Pete Rock and CL Smooth* – They reminsce over you (T.R.O.Y)
A friend sent me a few tracks last week that had been sampled to pleasing effect. It got me thinking about this, which contains probably my favourite sample of all time.
What imagination Pete Rock must have! To take a 60’s psycadelic track and turn it into this is an extraordinary feat. Also, CL Smooth’s (what a great name for an MC) rhymes are so vivid and powerful here. Together they combine to make this one of the best hip hop tracks in history.
RjK
*Artist #421