de-minimis: 2016

26 December 2016

treetop flyers - 'sleepless nights'

Boxing Days are made for indulging in what you love best. For me that's listening to music.

14 December 2016

hyenah - 'the idea (frankey and sandrino remix)'

Last track from me for the night and I'll leave it with this banger.

laura mvula - 'people (feat. wretch 32)'

What a voice. So many great British singers out there.

mutual benefit - 'skipping stones'

This is from Texas music collective, Mutual Benefit, a band whose subtlety belies a very professional and accomplished edge. The whole album on Bandcamp is well worth checking out.

thom sonny green - 'neon blue'

How's this for an intense dance track?

graham candy - 'broken heart'

This is a very sad tune, the lyrics bittersweet and the tune an acoustic masterpiece.

whyte horses - 'when i was a scout'

This is only the second song I've blogged about from their fantastic 2016 album 'Pop or Not' and I'm feeling a little guilty about that. Let's rectify matters with this fine tune.

nick cave and warren ellis - 'song for bob'

Taken from The Assassination of Jesse James soundtrack, this is a mighty fine composition and especially as around that time, Nick Cave's other projects were getting a little stale.

grandaddy - 'way we won't'

This song seems to have gone by relatively unnoticed which is a real shame as it's pretty decent with a hell of a guitar riff.

kristin velvet - 'roulette'

I love this new tune from Kristin Velvet on so many levels. It's so subtle, so warm but still a great club track.

still flyin' - 'get out of my car'

You can't beat a great bit of pop and this a bloody great song.

ensaime & marco simeone - 'back to the bedroom (original mix)'

I've got this on a compilation album and only just got around to listening to it. Bloody hell, what a fantastic track!

françoise hardy - 'ça a raté'

And now a track that is over 50 years old but still sounds as fresh as a daisy.

ra ra riot - 'foreign lovers'

I really should spend more time listening to Ra Ra Riot. I'd forgotten just how good they are.

british theatre - 'mastery'

This is taken from their album of the same name. I love the way this builds and builds.

suuns - 'instrument'

Here's Montreal's finest, Suuns, with a dark and brooding track.

billie marten - 'live'

The wonderful thing about working from home is that I can put my iTunes on shuffle and then randomly, beautiful tracks like this pop up for me to listen to.

drugdealer - 'my life (feat. danny james)'

I just can't stop listening to this new album as I work from home today. It's very addictive (sic)!

ashley shadow - 'tired'

Another Bandcamp discovery and just as good. This particular track is a real grower. The more I listen to it, the more nuances I hear.

dimi kaye - 'long drinks paradise'

This was a Bandcamp recommendation that piqued my interest a few days back. I'm glad I did listen to the 'La Luna' album as it's a lovely retro 80s disco funk affair. Check this tune out.

11 December 2016

dengue fever - 'tiger phone card'

I haven't listened to Dengue Fever in an age. Time was when I used to play this track to death.

air - 'danger zone'

Taken from their 'TwentYears' album this is a quieter side to the French duo.

damien jurado - 'on the land blues'

Damien Jurado is a man who sets the bar high yet consistently rises above it to produce beautiful music.

nite jewel - 'over the weekend'

This is one ice cool tune.

cage the elephant - 'too late to say goodbye'

My youngest son and I are in agreement here. It's a great track.

talk talk - 'does caroline know?'

Well? Does she?

thao & the get down stay down - 'nobody dies'

This is a new band to me and I'm quite blown away by the music, the attitude, everything about it. Taken from their 2016 album 'A Man Alive'.

mystery lights - 'follow me home'

This Brooklyn band have a great rock sound. Love the retro psychedelic edge to this.

Seattle duo Iska Dhaaf had a bloody brilliant album out this year that seems to have slipped past a lot of radars which is a real shame. This song named after the Twin Peaks murder victim is just epic.

mick harvey - 'boomerang'

Bad Seeder Mick Harvey's solo stuff really does deserve a wider audience. There's a lot of great music to be discovered.

tigercub - 'omen'

Always happy to play a tune by a Brighton band and especially so when it's as kick-arse as this.

money - 'you look like a sad painting on both sides of the sky'

One of the stand-out songs on one of my albums of the year.

steve bug - 'painkiller (feat. miss kittin) (original mix)'

I've always got time for a bit of Miss Kittin.

beyond the wizard's sleeve - 'creation'

Their debut album 'The Soft Bounce' is quite sublime. Take this tune for example.

nick cave and the bad seeds - 'black hair'

Taken from possibly my favourite album ' The Boatman's Call' this is Nick Cave at his most reflective and romantic.

lou pride - 'i'm com'un home in the morning'

Now this is a classic. A Northern Soul tune all the way from Texas, no less.

anthony joseph - 'neckbone'

Very nice grooves.

bebel gilberto - 'august day song (king britt remix)'

It's certainly not August but I can't wait 9 months to post this tune. It's too lovely for that.

linnea olsson - 'weekend'

There's something very Kate Bush about this track by Swedish singer Linnea Olsson. As Chamber Pop goes, this is quite wonderful.

10 December 2016

nils bech - 'glimpse of hope' (joe goddard remix)

This is a rather lovely Saturday morning discovery.

mexican institute of sound - 'escribeme pronto'

This is a blast from the past. Still sounds as fresh as when I first heard it.

08 December 2016

we cut corners - 'of whatever'

There's so much great new music to share tonight. This is quite wonderful.

jay daniel - 'knowledge of selfie'

Oh my, this is quite lovely.

new jesus and mary chain song

This is the first track from their new album scheduled for 2017, the first in something like 20 years. I like it!

http://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2016/12/08/504855643/the-jesus-and-mary-chain-returns-with-new-album-shares-first-single

phoria - 'red'

A lovely track that beguiles on so many levels. How would you characterise this kind of music? No idea but it is rather good.

05 December 2016

emma russack - 'if you could see me now'

Last one of the evening from me (probably!) and a good way to bow out is with this fantastic tune from Australian singer-songwriter, Emma Russack.

fact mix 579: jenny hval

The Fact Mag mix is always great fun but this one curated by Jenny Hval in particular has been quite a journey of discovery

And here's the tracklist:

Valerie and her Week of Wonders (excerpt from film, music by Luboš Fišer)

Ariel Kalma – ‘Bakafrica’

This Heat – ‘Not Waving’

The Girl With The Crystal Plumage (excerpt from soundtrack, music by Ennio Morricone)

Lush – ‘Sunbathing’

Aurora Halal – ‘Overpass’

Jessica Sligter – ‘Run, Now’ (live in Oslo December 2015)

Christina Carter live at Aquarius Record Store, San Francisco 2010

Fruit of Paradise (excerpt from film, music by Zdeňka Liška)

Milton Nascimento – ‘San Vicente’

The Girl With The Crystal Plumage (short return of the same excerpt from soundtrack, music by Ennio Morricone)

Johanna M. Beyer – ‘Music Of The Spheres’

More details can be found here.

raime - 'dead heat'

There's something quite Massive Attack meets Joy Division about RAIME and that can't be a bad thing.

the goon sax - 'telephone'

They sound very British in their delivery but this is a strictly Aussie affair. There does seem to be a great indie music scene in Oz at the moment and The Goon Sax are firmly at the forefront.

poliça - 'lime habit'

Love this tune. Such a great sound to it.

kognitif - 'so let's begin (feat. jeanette robertson)'

I don't know he they do it but the quality of musical output from Kognitif is unrelentingly high, there's never a bum track. This is as good as anything they've done. Superb!

ruede hagelstein - 'nonnenrauschen'

I caught this track on a compilation album recently and have wanted to share it since then.

gigi rowe - 'run the night'

I do love well-crafted electro-pop, this is a superb track.

austra - 'future politics'

Can man exist in a post-political world? Austra thinks so.

bomb the bass - 'empire'

Vampire, you feed on the life of a pure heart. Vampire, you suck the life of goodness.

kiddie coke - 'medical walls'

How's about this for in-your-face indie-rock? Great stuff.

miynt - 'cool'

Aka Fredrika Ribbing, this is the first track from a forthcoming EP and I hope to be hearing and seeing much more of this band in the future.

warhaus - 'against the rich'

I've been revisiting their 2016 album and thoroughly enjoying it a second time around. Love this track.

temples - 'certainty'

The Kettering band have been a bit quiet since their fantastic debut album but it sounds like they are back and in a big way.

piano magic - 'exile'

There was a time when playing under Gus Poyet's management, Brighton and Hove Albion were described as 'languidly clinical' in front of goal. I've always loved that phrase ever since and could possibly describe Piano Magic.

san cisco - 'slomo'

Here's a great party tune from Aussie pop band San Cisco.

the magic gang - 'only waiting'

A Brighton band featuring a Brighton street performer, Disco Bunny in their latest video. That's my hometown right there doing what it does so well.

03 December 2016

pink floyd - 'pigs'

40 years ago today, the Pink Floyd pig floated away from Battersea Power Station.

team ghost - 'the riser'

They describe their music as 'coldgaze' an electronic sound but with a glacial punk element to it. Confused? Well. listen to the music and all will become clear!

Hazel O'Connor - 'Will You'

It's a classic.

flora cash - 'for someone'

What a tune. Great stuff from Stockholm duo Flora Cash.

kaitlyn aurelia smith - 'envelop'

The album slipped past me this year but having seen it on so many Best Of 2016 lists I've finally gotten around to listening to it. It's certainly not what I expected but sometimes (as with this) that can be a wonderful surprise. Yes...I'm a fan!

thee oh sees - 'nervous tech (nah john)'

I love the new album 'An Odd Entrances' (sic) by psychedelic heavyweights, Thee Oh Sees. It's relatively short but takes so many twists and turns it feels much longer.

portishead - 'strangers (vaccine remix)'

It's a Portishead kind of morning.

amiina - 'cafe'

It's great to see the Icelandic four-piece back and with a very strong album.

02 December 2016

mowree - 'automatic soldier (dub makers rmx)'

I do find there's something very hypnotic with minimal techno and I find it very conducive to me concentrating on work. This tune popped up on my iPod this morning and went down very well.

01 December 2016

steffi - 'sadness'

Just got to share this with you. It's an oldie but goldie.

ladylike lily - 'tir à blanc'

Definitely for fans of Emilie Simon, this is French singer Ladylike Lily with a quite beautiful track.

bongani 'siderophile (handsdown & leighboy remix)'

I do like my minimal techno when it comes from a dark place. This kind of tune is what I mean.

beth gibons and rustin man - 'tom the model'

Choon.

candy glass - 'beatific'

I must have played this track to death back in the day.

jyl - 'mechanic ballerina'

I think I'm on a bit of a new wave vibe tonight. Here's an obscure 80s number that deserves a wide audience.

joy division - 'atrocity exhibition'

For entertainment they watch his body twist. Behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist.'

30 November 2016

moby - 'that's when i reach for my revolver'

When I hear the word 'culture'...

george harrison - 'my sweet lord'

George Harrison has been dead for 15 years now. That makes me really quite sad. Thankfully his legacy will be around for a long time yet. I love, love, love this tune.

28 November 2016

the low anthem - 'the pepsi moon'

Last track for the evening from me and it's a beautiful song from Low Anthem. Taken from their 2016 album 'Eyeland'.

lisa hannigan - 'prayer for the dying'

Some tracks are too good not to share.

the limiñanas - 'paradise now'

The mellow vibe continues with this track from The Limiñanas 2016 album 'Malamore'.

performance - 'idéal présent'

Something of an obscure new wave track from 1982 but I love it.

owen - 'empty bottle'

This sounds like a great comedown album although those days are long behind me now. Mind you, I think I can still appreciate a brilliant tune when I hear it.

palace winter - 'positron'

Like. Like a lot.

27 November 2016

frank turner - sweet albion blues'

As a Brighton and Hove Albion fan, I've got to say this weekend has been a perfect one football-wise. Brighton won after going behind, Newcastle lost and this means we're only 2 points off top and the cherry on the icing on the cake was seeing our bitter rivals Crystal Palace go 4-3 up in the last few minutes after being 3-1 down and to throw this away, losing 5-4 in extra time. Sweet Albion Blues indeed!

matt monro - 'on days like these'

This is the song on the opening credits to The Italian Job. Worth the admission money alone.

26 November 2016

hank mizell - 'jungle rock'

Another top tune. I had very happy memories of watching this on Top of the Pops.

alex kenji - 'adelante (original mix)'

And one of my all-time favourite minimal techno tunes. Love the Spanish guitar samples in this.

n.r.g. - i need your love (like the sunshine) original mix

TUNE!

flume - 'trust feat. isabella manfredi'

This is a band that my eldest son raves about and I can see why. Great stuff.

24 November 2016

the pop group' - 'zipperface'

I heard this on the Marc Riley show and I've fallen instantly in love with it. What a tune.

23 November 2016

phil kieran - 'blinded by the sun'

No chance of being blinded by the sun today on the South Coast of England. This is one top tune though.

psycho radio vs lc anderson - 'bad reputation (daniele baldelli & marco dionigi funkadiba)'

Gotta love a funky remix and this is a God damn funky remix.

dizzyride - 'soundtrack'

Fans of the Cocteau Twins will adore this new track from Dizzyride.

spice girls - 'song for her'

Here's the Spice Girls (ish) comeback tune and presumably there's a new album on the way too. It's just Geri H, Emma B and Mel B this time around and although the tune is okay it clearly misses Mel C's presence. We all know she was the Spice Girl with the best singing voice and this proves it.

21 November 2016

japan - 'ghosts'

There's always a right time to play a bit of David Sylvian.

20 November 2016

equador - 'blood'

This is a new band to me but I'm liking what I hear so far.

17 November 2016

stephen steinbrink - 'absent minds'

What a great album 'Anagrams' is and brutally honest too.

16 November 2016

emiliana torrini and the colorist - 'when we dance'

What's that? A new Emiliana Torrini song...yes please!

suede - 'beautiful ones'

One of my all-time favourite Suede tunes and one I haven't heard in a long time.

hope sandoval and the warm inventions - 'that spider'

This is a b-side that appears as a bonus disc with my Rough Trade copy of the CD. I think the album is a little lacklustre but this tune absolutely hits the spot.

15 November 2016

pascal pinon - 'forest'

If you hear a better song by 2 Icelandic sisters today then I'll be very surprised.

13 November 2016

new order - 'truth'

Their debut album 'Movement' was released on this day in 1981.

ryley walker - 'the halfwit in me'

False modesty, Ryley, me old china. No-one thinks you're a halfwit in fact some of us think you're something of a genius.

beth orton - 'concrete sky'

When in doubt, Beth is the answer.

hundreds - 'i love my harbour'

This remains my all-time favourite Hundreds song and it's not difficult to see why.

justin peter kinkel-schuster - 'laid low (btr live studio)'

A completely new name to me and one that I will definitely look out for in the future.

east of my youth - 'stronger'

This is an Icelandic pairing of Herdís Stefánsdóttir and Thelma Marín Jónsdóttir with a very atmospheric track that morphs like a butterfly from the ethereal to the corporeal effortlessly.

gabriel bruce - 'come all sufferers'

If you haven't heard Gabriel Bruce's album of the same name as this song then you are in for a big treat.

martha wainwright - 'around the bend (live at city winery, new york)'

I know how Martha feels.

12 November 2016

diane birch - 'nite time talking'

How about this for wonderful?

arborist - 'i heard him leaving'

In between the wet weather outside and watching The Breakfast Club inside I'm listening to a few new albums this morning and this one by Ulsterman, Mark McCambridge has grabbed my attention. The mixture of melancholy, great guitar playing, killer lyrics and languid delivery is irresistible.

pavo pavo - 'ran ran run'

Have a listen to this and tell me you don't start thinking 'Brian Wilson'. Love it.

11 November 2016

rebekah fitch - 'afraid of the light'

Here's a new name to me, Belfast-born Rebekah Finch has a great new single. What a voice.

the xx - 'on hold'

The start sounds a bit MOR but it soon steps up to what is a cracking tune. I expect this will get lots of air play over the next month.

tigercub - 'memory boy'

It's great to hear an honest-to-God rock band and even better when they're from your home town of Brighton. Here's Tigercub taking no prisoners with this beast of a tune.

baltic fleet - 'lights of rock savage'

This is quite epic.

leonard cohen - 'it seemed the better way'

There was an very sad inevitability to Leonard Cohen's passing away. He was very aware of his own mortality in his last few years and this was reflected no more so than in his last album which is a stone-cold classic.

09 November 2016

to prague with love from brighton

I promised a very good friend that I'd post some music on here for them so here goes and I hope they like the selection.

FC Kahuna - 'Hayling (Max Cooper Remix)'

Box Office - 'Clar (Fait Divers Acoustic Session)

Here's a tune with some dancers pulling some great moves and it reminds me of the night I first met this wonderful, funny and clever friend where we danced like no-one was watching.

Ben Pearce - 'What I Might Do'

And lastly a song that I love so much not just because the song has a beautiful sentiment but also for this music video. It always lifts me when I feel down.

Wave Pictures - 'Like A Drummer'

ultimate painting - 'monday morning, somewhere central'

Another great London band is Ultimate Painting with their own take on jangly guitar pop.