Following on from "Annoying Music From TV Adverts Part 1", this piece of "music" has been polluting my ears for about two years now. One can only imagine the amount of money that Lloyds TSB have spent on this advertising campaign. I for one do not bank with this company, but if I did, I would have transferred my meager savings elsewhere by now, quite simply because of the aural assault on my ears on a regular basis. "Why not just turn it off?" - I hear you cry? This does not work, even if I hear one note of this, it is as bad as hearing the full tune and the damage is already done. It hasn't gone unnoticed that there are many variations of this tune popping up now and again.
A Soviet-born Austrian named Elena Kats-Chernin is responsible and the track is called`Eliza's Aria' from a ballet named `Wild Swans', so you know what section of HMV you need to take your sledgehammer to on your next visit.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Hazem Shaheen - Things That I Miss (Hagaat Wahshany)
Hazem Shaheen is an Egyptian Oud teacher and player as well as being a member of both the Eskenderella and Masar groups. `Things That I Miss (Hagaat Wahshany)' is his first solo outing on disc. This set concentrates on some satisfying solo pieces by Hazem, but the tracks that really stand out are on the two tracks in which he is joined by piano, double bass and percussion - `Problem' and `Things That I Miss'.
Albums like this don't really offer the listener anything particularly exciting or new, but are still well worth a listen. This album doesn't seem to be readily available outside Egypt at the moment, but until it such time you can listen to clips here
Here is an audio clip of Hazeem, albeit not a track from the reviewed album.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Pop Classics Part 4 - Talk Talk - It's My Life
Quite simply, Talk Talk's `It's My Life' is one of the best pop records ever recorded. It sounds better today than it did when it was first released in 1984. An attempt of a cover version by No Doubt could only be described as laughable. The only good thing about that version was that hopefully it steered some folk into sourcing the original, so they could then throw Gwen and co's effort into the bin.
Also, my wife and I chose this song as our "wedding dance tune" when we got married a couple of years back. She danced, I wobbled.
You might have noticed that all of my "Pop Classics" selections so far have been from the 1980's. This is a reflection of the period of time that I was first exposed to pop music to any real extent. nothing to do with some rose-tinted view of this decade that seems to be in fashion right now. There was a lot of great music during the 1980's, but of course a lot of rubbish as well.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Alborosie - Escape From Babylon
If you're looking for those big Alborosie tunes from over the past three years or so like:`Kingston Town', `Rastafari Anthem', `Herbalist', `Sound Killa' and `Waan The Herb' you're in the wrong place. Alborosie's first album `Soul Pirate' came out quietly last year when his management had a huge price tag on his head, and no record label rose to the bait - or so I've heard, and they ended up having to release it themselves in limited quantities
So most reggae folk know the story by now. Alborosie, a Sicilian-born reggae artist who moved to Jamaica to be close the roots of his beloved reggae music and the vibes of rastafari. This makes him an easy target to ridicule but he carries it off well and has a lot more credence that some of his Jamaican-born peers. Some have called him a one trick pony, sounding like he is stuck in a 1980's Black Uhuru time warp, with lots of comparisons to Michael Rose, the former front-man of Black Uhuru. Alborosie can put those criticisms to rest now, as they don't really apply to many of the songs on `Escape From Babylon'. However, our man does borrow styles left right and centre. There is something very Bob Marley about the sound of `America' and something very Eek-a-Mouse about `Real Story'. Saying that, he has created his own style and it's that he have to concentrate on.
With a lot of these songs the delivery, melody and phrasing are good enough even if the lyrics are somewhat uninspiring or lacking. For instance on the chorus of `No Cocaine' Alborosie recycles lyrics we have heard a hundred times before. But maybe I am just nit-picking? If people like that style, then more power to him. Gramps Morgan from the now defunkt Morgan Heritage pops up on `One Sound', which sounds like a hit, but is it just me or we have heard this song a few times before? The late Dennis Brown is resurrected on `Can't Stand It', originally a vintage Joe Gibbs production, whilst Horace Andy's vocals are borrowed on `Money' which is of course a revamp of Andy's classic `Money Money'. You also get the obligatory `"girl tune" in the shape of `Good Woman' and customary "binghi" tune `Likkle Africa'.
There are some very good tunes on here and my personal pick of the bunch, I have included audio youtube links below.
Like Sizzla's latest release on Greensleeves, Tony McDermott has had his pencils out once more, which makes this album a more attractive proposition.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Anouar Brahem - Leila Au Pays Du Carrousel
With a simple combination of oud, piano and accordion, this is the mesmerising `Leila Au Pays Du Carrousel' by the very talented Tunisian musician and composer Anouar Brahem taken from the album `Le Pas Du Chat Noir' on ECM.
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Panama! 2: Latin Sounds, Cumbia Tropical and Calypso Funk On The Isthmus 1967-77
Another excellent compilation from the Soundway label who come with the goods time after time. As usual this ticks all the right boxes, lovingly compiled, great label scans, excellent sleeve notes, 24 page booklet. And it comes on a double vinyl too. What more do you want? It's releases like this that you have to own. Downloading the likes of this wouldn't be half as satisfying.
`Panama! 2: Latin Sounds, Cumbia Tropical and Calypso Funk on the Isthmus 1967-77' does what is says on the tin and continues where Volume 1 left off, but this time concentrating on a very slightly later period. It's very hard to pick out individual tracks, but here is little in way of fillers on this, with rare tracks culled from LP's and 45's. A joy to behold.
Here's me waiting for `Colombia 2'.
Check out this preview video.
Friday, 19 June 2009
Rubik - Carrion EP - Domestic 12"
The thing I hate about records like this, is that you would have to be on some kind of drugs to be able to describe them in any real detail. Or worse, a Wire magazine reviewer. To these ears the first track on this EP from Rubik - `Carrion' is an excellent danceable crunchy techno-paced tune with dark overtones with some scary samples that progresses into an "Amen Break". `Substance' is a nice plucky acoustic guitar piece that goes straight into `The Shadow' - a full assault on the ears. Some might describe it as a "bag of noise". I won't. Tech-metal? Whatever, Rubik sounds like he knows what he's doing. Something for everyone, I would say.
Domestic is a London-based label who up until now have only released digitally, the `Carrion EP' is Domestic's first "physical" release. The good thing about this label is that it doesn't stick to one style. which is a good thing for us, but a nightmare for records shops. What section do they put it in? Good thing there aren't many record shops left or we would have mass panic on our hands.
For sound samples and purchases, I would visit here. I would also direct you towards `Venus' by Donald Yule, a superb solo piano piece.
Thursday, 18 June 2009
A Certain Ratio - Dingwalls, London 15/06/09
I first saw A Certain Ratio at an event called "Factory In The Park" in Finsbury Park in London in June 1987, at this point ACR had already been together for 10 years. They have been around a while. You do the maths. Not that much has changed, apart from a few different record labels and with the odd exception of a small number of chops and changes of band members. And a few more balder heads.
Tonight's moderately attended show kicks off with an unexpected Q&A session with Jeremy Kerr and Martin Moscrop. They spoke about their sizable back catalogue and how difficult it was putting set lists together I asked them whether there was any chance of hearing any songs in the set from the 1989 A&M crossover-attempt `Good Together', an album that I really like. Although I already knew the answer, Jeremy laughed and said he was embarrassed about the album and that it made him cringe. So I took that as a no then.
The band took to the stage and knocked out a great set, combining the old and the new (including tracks from the latest album `Mind Made Up' - still unavailable in the UK) and the inbetween. Highlights for me were `Mickey Way' and `Knife Slits Water' - two tunes that both have the bass line as the chorus. How cool is that? All in all, a good night was had by all.
Here are some pictures that I took on the night.
As there is not yet any footage from the gig at Dingwalls, here are two clips of ACR recently performing in Portugal.
`Shack Up' and `Knife Slits Water':
`Si Firmir O Grido':
Tonight's moderately attended show kicks off with an unexpected Q&A session with Jeremy Kerr and Martin Moscrop. They spoke about their sizable back catalogue and how difficult it was putting set lists together I asked them whether there was any chance of hearing any songs in the set from the 1989 A&M crossover-attempt `Good Together', an album that I really like. Although I already knew the answer, Jeremy laughed and said he was embarrassed about the album and that it made him cringe. So I took that as a no then.
The band took to the stage and knocked out a great set, combining the old and the new (including tracks from the latest album `Mind Made Up' - still unavailable in the UK) and the inbetween. Highlights for me were `Mickey Way' and `Knife Slits Water' - two tunes that both have the bass line as the chorus. How cool is that? All in all, a good night was had by all.
Here are some pictures that I took on the night.
As there is not yet any footage from the gig at Dingwalls, here are two clips of ACR recently performing in Portugal.
`Shack Up' and `Knife Slits Water':
`Si Firmir O Grido':
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Bushman - Most Wanted
Continuing a series that started in 2007, `Most Wanted' is a worthwhile mid-price compilation from Greensleeves Records, with not so much of a best of more like a "reflection" of the output of Bushman, who is what I would call a mid-table artist, never really having a big hit but quietly plodding along with some good and occasionally above average tunes. That is not really a criticism as such, just pretty much the "norm" in reggae music right now.
This collection culls tracks from the three of Bushman's albums for Greensleeves' namely `Nyah Man Chant',`Total Commitment' and `Higher Ground'. Also with tracks taken from VP's Records `Signs' album and some extras thrown in for good measure such as `Step Pon Culture' on the `Bingie Trod' rhythm,`Mek Wi Try', a combination tune featuring Morgan Heritage and a live version of `Cannabis'.
Boasting an all star cast of producers such as Steely and Cleavie and King Jammys, you can't go far wrong.
A nice mixture of roots and borderline-dancehall, and of course there are tracks on here that I could live without and some I would have liked to have seen included, but isn't that the very nature of this type of compilation?
Well worth a dabble for a newcomer. Like this? Try the album `Total Commitment'.
Here are two of the tracks featured on `Most Wanted'. Audio only.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
The Genius Of Liz
After writing about Robin Guthrie the other day I got the urge to dig out some of the music of Elizabeth Fraser. and so I did. I can't write anything about her that hasn't been written before. She is one a remarkable talent, and a rare occasion where the use of the word "unique" is 100% applicable.
Here are some of my favourite examples of her work with various bands and artists.
The first clip is `Carolyns Fingers' by the Cocteau Twins from the 1988 album `Blue Bell Knoll'. The second is the video of This Mortal Coil's breathtaking cover version of Tim Buckley's`Song To The Siren' from 1983. The third clip is by the French musician Yann Tiersen with `Mary' from the 2005 album `Les Retrouvailles', and finally `Primitive Painters' from 1985 by the indie band Felt. Enjoy!
Here are some of my favourite examples of her work with various bands and artists.
The first clip is `Carolyns Fingers' by the Cocteau Twins from the 1988 album `Blue Bell Knoll'. The second is the video of This Mortal Coil's breathtaking cover version of Tim Buckley's`Song To The Siren' from 1983. The third clip is by the French musician Yann Tiersen with `Mary' from the 2005 album `Les Retrouvailles', and finally `Primitive Painters' from 1985 by the indie band Felt. Enjoy!
Friday, 12 June 2009
Pop Classics Part 3 - Propaganda
Sometimes I might ask somebody if they remember Propaganda, the answer is usually in the negative, this is a mystery to me. The German group Propaganda recorded two bonafide classics in 1984/85 in the shape of `Dr Mabuse' and `Duel', both produced by Trevor Horn. `Dr Mabuse' was more harsh and germadic that its follow-up `Duel' which was more of what you would call a standard but very effective pop song (ie very catchy). Overshadowed perhaps by ZTT (Zang Tuum Tumb) label-mates - the overrated Frankie Goes To Hollywood and the gimmicky Art Of Noise. Propaganda kept recording and releasing music right up the early 1990s but nothing could ever top these two gems.
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
John Foxx & Robin Guthrie - Mirrorball
This is a very interesting release and you probably know exactly what it will sound like. Is that a good thing or bad thing? Who cares. As you would expect from the ex-Cocteau Twin's Robin Guthrie, the sound of this for the most part is not a million miles away from the Cocteau Twins' sound, in particular the Simon Raymonde-less `Victorialand' period.
All the usual reference points are here, so I guess it's time to throw in words like lush, ethereal and hypnotising... How about ambient? This is topped off with vocals - or should that be voices, from John Foxx, who to be honest I have never had any leaning to as a solo artist or as a member of Ultravox, with whom Foxx was a founding member.
On first listen I found Foxx's "vocals" tedious and verge on annoying, but after a few tracks things start to make sense. For me at times the lack of an understanding of lyrics can be a good thing, whether it be in a foreign language or just plain gibberish - like this. 99% of the lyrics I hear from today's modern singers are just are nonsense or garbage anyway. so in this sense, like Elizabeth Frazer's style, Foxx's voice here is used as an instrument to full effect. Pretentious, moi? Gregorian chanting anyone?
So I guess you could call call this an ambient album, but that doesn't necessarily make it an "ambient album". Same way someone who reads the guardian newspaper isn't necessarily a "guardian reader". Savvy?
`Mirrorball' is out now on John Foxx's Metamatic label.
Here are a couple of tasters.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
King General - Broke Again
Re-working or versioning of old rhythms tracks is nothing new in reggae music, in fact it's been an epidemic over the years with some producers being too lazy or uninspired to create new works. However, those critisms are not applicable in this case, because what makes this special is the inspired choice of rhythm. Originally an obscure 80s tune called `Sunny Gets Blue' (Curiously a Johnny Mathis track disguised as a "sound system burial" tune) by Naturally on a U.S 12". Lyrically `Broke Again' is spot on and topical, commenting on the credit crunch consuming the globe at present and with one hell of a catchy chorus. The production from London's highly respected Conscious Sounds crew is great, with two further dub versions of the same rhythm.
King General cut some fine tunes in the mid 90's then seemingly vanished. It's good to see him back again and with an album in the pipeline. Here is clip of `Got To Be Conscious' which will be featured on the forthcoming album.
This 12" single is topped with an additional 5 cuts of two other tunes from Idren Reality and The Dubateers on the B-side making this a very worthwhile purchase.
Here is a youtube clip of `Broke Again', then below is footage of the recording of `Got To Be Conscious', a track that will be featured on the forthcoming album.
`Broke Again' is now avaiable from the usual outlets.
Friday, 5 June 2009
The Heliocentrics & Mulatu Astatke - Inspiration Information Vol. 3
Mulatu Astatke is legendary Ethiopian producer, musician and arranger and is known as the father of Ethio-jazz. In recent times he gained a new audience due to his music being used in Jim Jarmusch's 2005 movie `Broken Flowers' and the excellent compilation of his work `Ethiopiques - Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974'.
`Inspiration Information Vol.3' sees Mulatu team up with London-based group The Hellocentrics, with an attempt to re-capture that sound of those classic recordings, whilst adding their own individual stamp. Mulatu acts as arranger and player on this recordings, and it really works well, with prime slices of crunchy guitar, lovely piano work, flute, double bass, superb brass work and some big drum breaks complimenting the Jazz/Funk grooves.
All the tracks are great with `Cha Cha' sounding the closest you could ever get to that vintage sound. Other standouts for me include `Addis Black Widow' and`Chinese New Year' for managing to be both super slick and ultra-raw at the very same time, which is some feat.
Here is a clip on the recording of the album.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Annoying Music From TV Adverts Part 1
From time to time I come across music that I find truly unbearable. It doesn't happen very often but when it does it hits a raw nerve. More often it is a piece of music that will accompany a television advert. In other words a piece of music that arrives uninvited into my home. In this, a first of a new series I will unveil some crimes against music in this particular medium.
This current advert from Honda is a prime example. It's not hard to see what the problem is here. Anyone who has ears would surely have to agree. Tedious in the extreme are the annoying childish girly vocals that continue in same offensive manner for a full minute. I detest this piece of music so much, that if I actually had a driving license and road tested the "Honda Insight" to discover that it was the most capable of cars, and that it came at a very reasonable price. I wouldn't buy it out of principle simply because of the vulgar musical content of the advert. And I would probably drive it into a wall.
The pair responsible for this musical abomination are Berend Dubbe and Gwen Thomas. Who ever they are, may they stay away from dark alleys.
Here is the offensive item in question.
This current advert from Honda is a prime example. It's not hard to see what the problem is here. Anyone who has ears would surely have to agree. Tedious in the extreme are the annoying childish girly vocals that continue in same offensive manner for a full minute. I detest this piece of music so much, that if I actually had a driving license and road tested the "Honda Insight" to discover that it was the most capable of cars, and that it came at a very reasonable price. I wouldn't buy it out of principle simply because of the vulgar musical content of the advert. And I would probably drive it into a wall.
The pair responsible for this musical abomination are Berend Dubbe and Gwen Thomas. Who ever they are, may they stay away from dark alleys.
Here is the offensive item in question.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Omar Souleyman - Live In London 29/05/09 Review
To be honest a few words could never do this show any justice, but here goes.
Omar Souleyman is a legend in his native Syria, having released in the region of 500 cassettes since 1994. He mixes Syrian folk and pop styles with - at times, techno-paced rhythms topped off with over-the-top frantic Arabic-style keyboard solos. In recent times Omar has been championed by the likes of The Wire magazine and Damon Albarn, just to name a couple. Last year the US label Sublime Frequencies released a compilation of the best of his cassette material `Highway to Hassake' and have recently released more of the same on a mini-album entitled `Dabke 2020'.
Last Friday Omar and label-mates Group Doueh touched down in London at the Dome, Tuffnell Park as part of the Sublime Frequencies Tour. The venue was sold out, the place packed with eager and curious folk, most of which would have only been familiar of Souleyman from footage on youtube. Omar did not disappoint taking the stage to a heroes welcome. and then working the crowd up into a collective frenzy. Only on a couple of occasions did the pace drop from relentless and it was never less than captivating. Backed by the able keyboard player, a baglama saz player and the curious sight of Omar's literal right hand man, who was introduced as a poet, who on regular intervals would whisper words into Omar's ear for our man to sing to the assembled masses.
Really, this is a case of having to be there. Just make sure that next time Souleyman comes to your town you are there. Trust me.
These are some snaps I took on the night. And below that, a clip of the massive `Leh Jani'.
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