nick cave - 'suzanne (leonard cohen cover)'

Tweet

Possibly the straightest cover version I've ever heard him sing and rightly so, in my opinion because this song is just perfect.

peggy sue - 'fools rush in'

Tweet

This is from a very limited pressing of 'Peggy Sue Sings the Songs of Scorpio Rising'. 

sunday morning blues

Tweet

Something old, something new, something borrowed, forever blue.

Skip James - 'Crow Jane'

Daniel Lefkowitz - 'Siren Ghost'

The Animals - 'I'm Mad Again'

michael andrews - 'bubbles in space'

Tweet

Best known for his collaboration with Gary Jules, Michael Andrews returns with a mellow song and an awesome video. He had San Diego high school students draw 3,000 frames and then it was all spliced together to produce a quite stunning visual display.

snoop lion - 'la la la'

Tweet

As produced by Major Lazer, so you know there's quality here.

nina simone - 'backlash blues'

Tweet

Nina takes on Chicago Blues and wins by a knockout.

nick cave - part 2

Tweet

And bang up to date with this remix of 'Moan Thing'.

nick cave - part 1

Tweet

I put a spell on you. 

belle and sebastian - 'i fought in a war'

Tweet

Still my favourite B&S tune.

phenomenal handclap band - 'father james jack (all saints basement sessions)'

Tweet

I missed out on seeing this band in London but by the looks of this session they did for All Saints near Brick Lane, they look the business.

pinch and shackleton - 'cracks in the pleasuredome (college hill remix)'

Tweet

I love these kinds of remixes. There's a real warmth to this and so much care. This song works on so many levels: background music, headphones on, in a bar and of course when I'm working from home.

ms melodie 1969 - 2012

Tweet

Pioneer female rapper, Ms Melodie has died at the terribly young age of 43. The cause of death isn't known yet but her death sees the world lose a clever, talented and brave woman. Just like her once-spouse KRS-1, she shunned the bitches, bling and guns and instead tackled violence and social injustice head-on. Her lyrics were clever, biting but always with hope. Way back on her single 'Self-Destruction' she sang 'the violence in rap must cease and seckle'. 

I remember watching an interview with KRS-1 and he spoke briefly of his relationship with Ms Melodie. He spoke of the arguments, the fact that both often refused to budge on issues but he always respected her opinions and loved her intelligence. Here's my favourite track of hers "What Do You Do?'

lianne la havas - 'is your love big enough (rudi zygadlo remix)'

Tweet

I think this is a big improvement on the original.

the avalanches - 'since i left you'

Tweet

And leave you, I must. I need to go to work.

oldstereo - 'dread-stroit'

Tweet

It could almost be described as a minimalist reggae track and at less than 2 minutes, minimal seems very apt but there's genuine quality here. I think this could have been turned into a much bigger tune and it's a shame because the band have talent.

sharon van etten - 'magic chords'

Tweet

Still feeling fragile? Let Sharon Van Etten massage those ears for you.

olivia tremor control - 'jumping fences'

Tweet

Let's soothe you into midweek.

the xx - 'angels'

Tweet

I'm rather pleased that my 1000th blog entry is the XX's new single. I've always had a lot of time for this band. The new single is no great departure from their usual sound but it does slightly deeper and heavier. I do like the fact that they sing love songs. It's refreshing to think that even though they are as cool as you like, they don't regard themselves as too cool for that most basic of feelings.

marley marl's classic recipes

Tweet

Here's a cool video. It's Marley Marl  recreating LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out' using Ableton. I've always been curious as to how these records are made and now I know!

major lazer - 'original don (flosstradamus remix)'

Tweet

This remix of Diplo's don is donner than a mixed kebab with extra chilli and garlic. (You know what? That metaphor is bloody good considering the hangover I'm currently nursing.)