Black Science Orchestra-City of Brotherly Love

After tonight's derby let's hope the banter remains good mannered, but obviously very sweary in nature (Manchester-the one place in the world where you start a sentence with "err, fucking hell, fuck me, yeah fuck"). Shame about the result. Now based way out of the loop, I can avoid being on the shit end in the office tomorrow.

Black Science Orchestra-City of Brotherly Love (buy)

Picastro-No Contest

'The most uninspiring day ever'. Yeah today has been bleak to say the least. Not really worth attempting to achieve anything. Sombre accompaiment by Picastro. Always loved the video directed by Vincent Moon, a regular collaborator with The National.

Picastro-No Contest (buy) 

Rubies-Room Without a Key (Version by Studio)

'Found' this on my external hard-drive the other day. It's strange how you find old mp3s. It wasn't underneath a pile of records or cds. It wasn't in the loft and it's wasn't up my arse; it was exactly where I filed it whenever ago, and quick search for it (you don't really have to lift a finger, well a few but you don't have to lift your backside ) and hey presto, there it is.

What I found is balearic laid back bliss with nice swirling harmonies. Wonderful.



Rubies-Room Without a Key (Version by Studio) (buy)

Joakim-I Wish You Were Gone

This was killing it in 2006, and for me still does.




Joakim-I Wish You Were Gone (buy)

DJ Sprinkles-The Occasional Feel Good

A quite near perfect ending to one of my favourite albums from the past few years. The highs and lows of house music and it's culture.



DJ Sprinkles-The Occasional Feel Good (buy)

Universal Robot Band-Barely Breaking Even (Club Version)

One of my most trusted resources for tunes, Walkmusic got me on to this 11 minute recession-boogie epic.  In these austere times, I struggle to envisage a similar tune of such quality and ambition being put out there today, but maybe that's just me cynical about 'new shit'. I wonder if the BBE label was named after this tune? Anyway, downright essential!!!



Universal Robot Band-Barely Breaking Even (buy)

Silver Jews-Trains Across the Sea

"Half hours on earth, what are they worth? I don't know"



The Silver Jews-Trains Across The Sea (buy)

Ugly Drums-Alright Alright

Seriously heavy Theo-type shuffle here. Whilst Mr Parrish continues to produce some interesting sounds, they just don't interest me like his older stuff. Imitators can come in and still give it a go. These boys do a mighty fine job on the 1997-1998 Theo-era sounding 'Alright, Alright'.



Ugly Drums-Alright Alright (buy)

Pykup-Nature/Where's Wally

It does seem nowadays that new labels pop up every time you yawn. Whilst this may be a annoyance on not being able to keep up on new artists/releases (how could anyone be aware of everything anyway? It's not 1985 where you could probably write all the releases on a piece of A4) it can pay dividends for giving new labels a chance. Like here. For the first release on newbie Cambrian Line, we are dealt some mighty fine deepness from the deck by France's Pykup.

Before getting onto the music, it's worth giving a heads up to James-the man behind the label and it's stirring and unsubtle ethos. 'Honest, heartfelt and in love with it's output' isn't a description you can give to many labels these days. However all this wouldn't mind a single iota if the music wasn't actually very good, but fortunately for all concerned, it bloody well is.

Deep is probably the most overused term this decade when it comes to electronic music. However, how else would you describe this?' 'Nature' is deep ambience at its finest and comes complete with lovely little samples which gives it a clarity, an openness and a sense of optimism (which one could say about the label). 'Where's Wally' picks up the groove a bit with a promient repeating bass line whilst jazzy chords roll over wildly over the top.




This release has already had big props from distinguished parties such as Atjazz, Moodymanc, Pawas and many others. Currently released only on digital, hopefully the vinyl will follow shortly. Keep your eyes peeled on this one.

Pykup-Nature/Where's Wally? (buy)

Katie Kissoon-You're the One (You're My Number One)

Birthday wishes for those in the know (they know who they are).



Katie Kissoon-You're the One (You're My Number One) (buy)

MAU Vs Fleetwood Mac-Erown Byes (MAU's Discofied Tribute)

Following the recent release of 'The Balearic Sound of Fleetwood Mac' on a special 12" release which featured the track 'Brown Eyes' from the underrated double LP 'Tusk', I discovered this amazing edit from a few years back. Very limited on vinyl but the artist himself has it up for free on Soundcloud. Enjoy your Saturday.

Haircut 100-Evil Smokestacking Baby

Think Haircut 100, think pretty forgettable 1980s band who had some seriously questionable haircuts and dodgy outfits. However they still managed to conjure up this sun drenched beauty (sun drenched=balearic descriptive bullshit). Remember hearing it on a Idjut Boys mix cd I picked up in 2005 (which is now nowhere to be seen), but I picked it up again recently; unfortunately only on mp3 and I thought finally I can now share it with the world.



Haircut 100-Evil Smokestacking Baby (buy)

John Cale-Andulcia

American indie stalwarts Yo La Tengo have amongst their 15 or so albums produced some excellent cover versions (seriously check out their cover of Jackson Browne's Somebody's Baby), which have in turn; turned me towards artists I may not have discovered. Their cover of John Cale's 'Andulcia' on their 1990 mainly covers album 'Fakebook' was a gem and to be honest their covers are usually an improvement on the original. With this track, they just didn't stand a chance of doing that.



John Cale-Andulcia (buy)

Low-Hand So Small

Not posted any Low for ages. One listen to 'Hand So Small', and I wonder why I waited so long. So So beautiful.



Low-Hand So Small (buy)

Laid Back-Fly Away/Walking In The Sunshine

Balearic bliss for a Sunday afternoon...

God knows why record companies still seem to block music on youtube. Pointless. Below is the only one you can listen to in the UK, a lovely live version from 2005...



Laid Back-Fly Away/Walking in the Sunshine  (buy)