moby and wayne coyne - 'the perfect life'

Tweet

If you get these 2 very individual characters together then the result will inevitably an off the wall production. They haven't disappointed with this video. The pair of them dressed as Mexican mariachi performers and wandering the streets and having adventures. There's even a scene with someone in a gimp suit that gives huge nods to Monty Python's 'Holy Grail'. 

The big question is - 'is the song any good?' I guess it all depends on how you like your Moby and Flaming Lips. This is a gospel-tinged feel-good anthem that won't win any awards for innovation and I like it although I'm not sure I'd go out and buy it. That probably doesn't answer the question at all! See for yourself and make your own mind up, I guess.

As a postscript, I don't think I can watch the video too often as Moby seems to have morphed into Sid Little and that's just not sitting well in my brain!

belle and sebastian - 'meat and potatoes'

Tweet

Only Belle and Sebastian could write something this sleazy and yet make it sound so beautiful. I suppose that anyone that toured with the infamous Arab Strap would have been affected to a degree.

faithless - 'i want more'

Tweet

More Brighton and Hove Albion wins, more album releases from Portishead, more Stewart Lee videos on Youtube, more Bombay Mix, more sunny days out in the country with my loved ones and more Sunday afternoons in a pub garden with friends, more Asics Onitsuka trainers, more people using the English language properly, Walkers to put more crisps in their packets, more Monday morning lie-ins. I want more.

joe jackson - 'is she really going out with him?'

Tweet

I think the answer is, sadly, 'Yes'. Sorry to be the bringer of bad news Joe. Great song though.

blade - 'hybrid song'

Tweet

Sometimes Glitch Hop can hit the sweet spot with a tune that absolutely rocks your world.

depeche mode - 'i just can't get enough' released 32 years ago today

Tweet

Where has the time gone? Here's a special video to coincide with the landmark - and look how young they all look. Ridiculously young. And I do like the message at the beginning from David Gahan "You don'r need to find anything from the music or lyrics, they could just enjoy it"

big boi - 'general patton (live rooftop session)'

Tweet

Oh yes. 

zero 7 - 'when it fails'

Tweet

The title track from their 2004 album and what can best be described as 'classic' Zero 7 by which I mean it's a slow-burner, melodic, almost ambient, slightly dark and layered with a lot of love going into the detail.

os mutantes full live performance for kexp

Tweet

I seem to be on a psychedelic rock trip today, having been to Rough Trade and bought a few psychedelic CDs (more about that in a later post) and I've returned to my work desk to find an email linking to a live performance that Brazilian band Os Mutantes did for Seattle radio station, KEXP. And it's bloody good, excuse my French.

tuesday in the mix

Tweet

Here's a few tracks that have popped up on my iPod recently that are well worth sharing.

Nino Ferrer - 'Looking For You' This is an old French psychedelic number that may not be too familiar to a lot of people. I love how epic this track is. It's so 70s.

Fight Like Apes - 'Something Global' This Dublin band really missed out on not being 20 or so years older when Britpop ruled the airwaves. This particular song is just so catchy.

DJ Krush - 'Still Island feat. Shuuzan Morita' Japanese hip-hop legend doing downbeat moody electronica in his own inimitable style.

Tricky - 'Wash My Soul' One of my all time favourite artists. Take it away Mr Thaws.

new pixies single - 'indie cindy'

Tweet

The Pixies have announced the release of a new EP today and as part of the launch have also uploaded the video to one of the tracks 'Indie Cindy'. I've only listened once but it does sound like a return to form. God, I've missed them.

friday in the mix

Tweet

A few feelgood tracks for you.

Lykke Li - 'Let It Fall'

Imogen Heap - 'Bad Body Double'

Husky Rescue - 'Shadow Run'

Weekend - 'Mirrors'

alec lomami - 'clv ft. sammus, badi banx

Tweet

Last one from me for now. This is Cape Town-based, Congolese-born artist Alec Lomami with a bittersweet rap/pop crossover with an equally intriguing video.

money - 'bluebell fields'

Tweet

Mancunian band Money have their debut album 'The Shadow of Heaven' out right now and this is one of the biggest tunes from it. It's anthemic and uplifting and as the website loudandquiet.com point out, reminiscent of early Verve. They're also predicting a Mercury Award nomination. I've not heard the whole album yet but from what I have heard, a nomination would be well deserved.

annie - 'back together (summer version)'

Tweet

Norwegian electro-pop goddess Annie has teamed up with producer Richard X and together have created the A&R EP. This particular track is a bit of a bonus as it's a vinyl-only remix. 

mia - 'unbreak my mixtape'

Tweet

I like this a lot, the brand new release from MIA. She has sampled some classic break-up tunes to great effect to produce a real tearjerker. 

mazzy star - 'california'

Tweet

This has been on my favourites list for some time but for some reason I'd forgotten to blog it. With a new album out for the first time in years that I'm very excited about too here's Hope and the rest of the band. Beautiful.

john martyn - 'johnny too bad'

Tweet

There's always a good reason to play John Martyn tunes.

gaps - mixtape

Tweet

Brighton folk duo Gaps have put together this exquisite mixtape for thisisfakediy.com and I feel compelled to share. I'm very proud of my hometown and its musical output. Bands like Gaps are the reason why.

three course lunch

Tweet

Let's start you off with something light and ethereal to whet your appetite.

Moby - 'Dream About Me'

Now that's been digested how about something meaty to get your teeth into? Taken from the subliminal Daddy G 'DJ Kicks' album so you know it's good.

Badmarsh and Shri - 'Signs (Dubplate Mix)'

After that monster let's finish with a fresh, jangly tune from an album that should have been a smash hit.

Cashier No. 9 - 'Goldstar'

(Apologies for the food puns)

midweek music

Tweet

I'll share with you a few tunes that I've been listening to of late.

This is a bit of an oldie. Heavy bass lines that veer into dubstep but if that isn't your bag then don't let that put you off, this is altogether something different. Crookers - 'No Mercy'

Brand new folk from Iceland and featuring John Grant and video direction by Arni and Kinski who have done such sterling work with Sigur Ros. Ásgeir – 'King and Cross'

I wanted to play you another from a few years ago with some very funky psyscedelic hooks. Chris Joss - 'Kali Flowers' but unfortunately it's not out there on the net - more's the pity and I recommend anyone and everyone to hear that tune. No matter, here's another psychedelic feast for you, Amorphous Androgynous - 'Auto Pimp'.

pure bathing culture - 'pendulum'

Tweet

This is unadulterated pop from East Coast band, Pure Bathing Culture. They've obviously been keen students of the Cocteau Twins back catalogue but there's also something slightly Scandinavian sounding about them too - as if they were part of that Gothenburg dream pop scene a few years ago. They have a new album out this month too and I've already got it on pre-order. 

lindstrøm - 'another station (todd terje remix)'

Tweet

An all Norwegian collaboration for this superb disco/house track. A big thanks to my friend Matthew who put me onto this, he leaves for Kenya in the next week or so. Best of luck buddy.

velvet underground - 'who loves the sun'

Tweet

It's a lovely thing to go for a walk at lunchtime to the soundtrack of an album that you haven't heard in ages. Velvet Underground's 'Loaded' is a phenomenally good album. For a bunch of wasters, egotists and suchlike to produce an album as tight as this is a remarkable feat. This is track 1 on the album and a good indication of how wonderful the remaining tracks are (and there are lots - it all depends on whether you've got the original, re-mastered, the one with the out-takes....)

that friday feeling

Tweet

I feel very tired this morning after a late night out with my girlfriend to see an Elvis impersonator last night. I've never not enjoyed seeing Elvis shows, last night's was particularly good. The commute to work was therefore a happy one, made even better with these tracks popping up on my iPod.

Glasvegas - 'Stabbed'

Jonsi - 'Boy Lilikoi'

Grinderman - 'Palaces of Montezuma (Barry Adamson Remix)'

bill callahan - 'expanding dub'

Tweet

I heard about this today and it's a concept that works well, the Steve Mason/Dennis Bovell dub remix album springs to mind. Callahan's deep voice resonates throughout and the dub is understated to excellent effect. Out on 12 inch soon. I know a few people who would be interested in a vinyl copy of that.

new order - 'round and round (club mix)'

Tweet

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

herbie hancock - 'canteloupe island'

Tweet

Funky, funky.

the bug v rootsman - 'killer'

Tweet

It doesn't come much dirtier, scuzzier and just downright naughty than this. I keep meaning to put this on my blog whenever I hear the 'Back To Mine' compilation from Lamb. Probably my favourite from that series. Apologies for the naff graphics to this video. I was hoping someone had it on Soundcloud but wasn't to be.

the undisputed truth - 'smiling faces sometimes'

Tweet

Just listen to that orchestration on this absolute gem of a Motown. Brilliant record. Simply brilliant. 

run dmc - 'you be illin'

Tweet

You can always rely on this classic to give you an extra boost to see you through this Monday morning. 

gladys knight and the pips - 'claudine'

Tweet

Written by Curtis Mayfield, sung by Ms Knight and backed by the coolest men ever to strut their funky stuff in polyester suits. This is beautiful. 

the black angels - 'holland (live on kexp)'

Tweet

I've recently discovered the KEXP channel on Youtube and it's produced some real gems. Have a listen to this moody number.

talk talk - 'ascension day'

Tweet

The name Roy Chuter won't be familiar to many outside of the Brighton and Hove Albion community but within he was well known and respected for his part in saving our football club. He died in rather tragic circumstances yesterday and this entry is dedicated to him. 

dj shadow - 'organ donor'

Tweet

It really doesn't get much better than this. So good. So f*cking good.

strange boys - 'be brave'

Tweet

It's a few years old now but still sounding as fresh as a daisy. 

jacqueline taîeb - '7 heures du matin'

Tweet

I've long maintained that French music is either utterly brilliant or utter toilet, there doesn't seem to be a bland middle ground - well certainly not to my Anglo-Saxon ears. This 1967 cover and re-working of The Who's 'My Generation' falls firmly in the tray marked 'brilliant - can we have some more please?'. The video however is so cheesy it looks like it could be a spoof. I suspect it is genuine and that makes the song all the better. Listen and watch for yourself and make your own mind up. I'm off to buy a beret and smoke Gauloises cigarettes, daddio.

eels - 'my descent into madness'

Tweet

If this is madness I'm not sure I want to know sanity. Mark Everett writes such lovely tunes.

bebe - 'siete horas'

Tweet

If this doesn't get you up and shaking your bits then there's no hope for you - even on a Monday morning.

ian brown - 'time is my everything (scratch perverts vocal mix)'

Tweet

This is Ian Brown at his imperious best. No-one swaggers like Ian Brown, not even Jagger himself.

badawi - 'suspicions'

Tweet

I'm on a bit of a roll today with updating my blog, I guess this is what comes of being able to listen to your iPod as you work. Sometimes it's lovely just to get lost in the moment until you realise that everyone else is looking at you as you bob your head along to the music. This is track 1 from the excellent 'Bedouin Sound Clash' album. Fans of Massive Attack, Thievery Corporation will love it. 

fischerspooner - 'door train home'

Tweet

Talking of minimal, here's another band who specialise in that brand of understated electronica that Kraftwerk, OMD and New Order did so well. The album's a few years old now but still very listenable although the least said about the album cover, the better.  

daft punk - 'random access memories (the complete nicolas jaar remixes)'

Tweet

I've not really mentioned what has to be one of THE albums of 2013. I think it's because there's nothing for me to add to the countless reviews of this glorious disco-tastic album. However, I stumbled across this quite randomly (pun intended) earlier and thought I would share. Nico Jaar likes to plays things slow and steady and this remix reflects that. It's probably fuller and fatter than his usual output; less minimal and more disco and dub but his interpretations are fascinating as they are dance-able. And I love how he plays with the audience by providing only a 2 second burst of what is arguably the biggest hit on the album 'Lose Yourself To Dance'. 

portishead - 'glory box'

Tweet

You know it's going to be a good day when this pops up on your iPod. This tune still has the power to make my jaw drop at how awesome it sounds. 

little dragon - 'my step'

Tweet

This is such a great tune to kick-start a day, let alone a week.

the who - 'imagine a man'

Tweet

I think I always enjoyed the more cerebral side to The Who.

charlotte gainsbourg - 'the operation (superpitcher remix)'

Tweet

I haven't heard this in a while. Let's rectify that straight away.

top cat - 'love mi ses'

Tweet

Massive party tune to get the week off to a decent start. 

dj marky's latin and boogaloo set

Tweet

It's days like today when I really appreciate how lucky I am to be able to spend a day out with loved ones in the best town in Britain. And to end a perfect day, how about a nice little Latin set to see us out?

aceyalone - 'all for u'

Tweet

Let's keep that funky vibe going.

the dramatics - 'what you see is whatcha get'

Tweet

How about this for cool. All the way from 1972 and with threads as funky as the Soul Train programme they're performing on. Nice.

tom thum beatboxing at tedxsydney

Tweet

I'd never heard of this bloke until this morning but I think that's the best beatboxing performance I've ever seen. It's worth watching until the end. He'll blow your mind.

bonobo - 'towers (feat sjerdene)'

Tweet

The North Borders album just gets better with every listen. It's definitely one of my albums of the year so far.

peter gabriel - 'solsbury hill'

Tweet

A lovely day like this deserves a great tune.

sigur rós - 'brennisteinn'

Tweet

The new album has been released and no doubt will be a big Summer smash. I'm not surprised with tracks like this frankly epic composition. 

phosphorescent - 'ride on/right on'

Tweet

Possibly my favourite song of their 2013 album. Fans of Damien Jurado/Felice Brothers and others of that ilk will love this album.

red snapper - 'crease'

Tweet

Here's a blast from the past. 

eddie cochran - 'something else'

Tweet

It all comes true man. Wow, that's something else.

for malin and erik

Tweet

Two of the loveliest people I know secretly got hitched today and just like June Carter and Johnny Cash in this video they are each other's best friends. A lot of people mention Cash's version of Hurt as their favourite but I'm sticking with Jackson. Just look at the way that the pair of them look at each other as they sing this, still totally in love with each other and making each other laugh after all those years. That's how I see Erik and Malin.

echo and the bunnymen - 'nothing lasts forever'

Tweet

A truly great track, probably their best in my opinion.

video of last night ever at paradise garage august 1987

Tweet

I have no idea how long it will stay up on Youtube but this is incredible - proper dance music history and a full 2 hours worth. I'm not sure what else to say - so I won't. 

dee dee warwick - 'you're no good'

Tweet

Sister to Dionne, cousin to Whitney, Dee Dee Warwick often gets overlooked and that's a real shame.Thankfully she's well loved and admired by Northern Soul fans to this day and with songs like this,  her version - and the original - you can see why.

dj shadow - 'def surrounds us (rockwell remix)'

Tweet

This has popped up a few times on my iPod recently and was a track that I overlooked to a large extent when I first heard this on the 'I Gotta Rokk' EP. Mainly because of the excellent title track and my favourite 'I've Been Trying' tended to see me rewinding back to the beginning at the end of these tunes rather than doing the whole EP justice. I've rectified this now but the oversight just goes to show how fickle I can be sometimes to my own detriment.

The song samples Edgar Varèse's 'Poème Électronique' and I'm very surprised to see that it's got a bit of a 'sample' pedigree with other bands who have also borrowed from the album including Meat Beat Manifesto, Herbie Hancock and Amon Tobin.

quincy jones - 'soul bossa nova'

Tweet

Proper Summer tune. 

my all time favourite disco tune

Tweet

I'm not usually the type to be able to say what my favourite tune is in any genre but for disco it has to be the Three Degrees with 'When Will I See You Again' and especially this Tom Moulton remix. 

gladys knight and the pips - 'on and on'

Tweet

I've said before how much I wanted to be one of the Pips. My goodness I love their style and you get to be backing singer with one of the greatest ever soul singers, male or female. Just look at them go...

seasick steve - 'back in the doghouse'

Tweet

I should like Seasick Steve more than I do. He's authentic, great musician and lots of charisma but unfortunately his brand of electric blues leaves me a bit cold at times.  I can't quite put my finger on it but after listening to his latest album there's about 60-70% of the tracks that I'd skip over. This track recorded for the excellent All Saints Sessions series is different. No idea why, it just speaks to me in a way a lot of his others don't. Strange world, eh?

12 year old larry collins invented heavy metal in 1958

Tweet

Remember the Michael J Fox guitar solo in Back To The Future where he says he's too ahead of the time? Utter tummy rot. Here's a performance that knocks it clean out the water and with a double necked acoustic guitar. I haven't seen that before in a video from the 50s let alone from a 12 year old. 

And let's talk about how heavy the song is. They've taken the old blues standard that I've loved since I was a child (Lloyd Price's version is my favourite) and torn it apart. This is an incredible piece of music history. He has to be just about the coolest 12 year old I've ever seen. I'm jealous as hell.