Aside

Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes – The love I lost

This is a Gamble and Huff Philadelphia International classic. It is one of the very earliest disco records and a Saturday night anthem. I hope if you’re out tonight you hear something as good as this.

We loved each other, we just couldn’t get along. Take a good look at me; I’m in misery, can’t you see…

RjK

13th April 2012

Wham! – I’m your man (GPF)

Sorry for late post, I’ve been MIA at a family reunion for the past 36 hours.

The event culminated in a big, wedding style shindig. There was a wedding band that was trashy and glorious in just about equal parts. They played this at one point and I was unable to fight my inexplicable weakness for Wham! and George Michael.

This track and video (hello black leather gloves!) couldn’t be more perfectly 80’s.

But where we’re going baby, there ain’t no such word as no…

RjK

Aside

Max Cooper* – Raw (Marc Romboy’s Sub Attack Remix) (NAT)


This is most definitely not the kind of thing that normally speaks to me. However, I have been unable to get enough of it over recent days. There is something compelling about it’s nagging, insistent sound. 
If his Wikipedia page is to be believed Max Cooper is from Belfast and completed a PhD in computational biology before focusing on music full time. It makes me wonder where it all went wrong for me?
RjK
*Artist #420

Aside

Vampire Weekend* – Oxford Comma

This jaunty, cerebral little number popped into my head last night for some unknown reason.

Vampire Weekend are so 2008! However, listening to this now I am filled with nostalgia for my university days. It’s actually a pretty catchy little tune, it hasn’t aged too badly. Interesting video here directed by Richard Ayoade.

Why would you speak to me that way?… All your diction dripping with disdain…
 
RjK

*Artist #419

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