5 Country Songs to change Your Heart

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I've been enjoying curating the Songs of Sunshine & Struggle playlist since late January when the nights were dark and long.

Now it's May and London is getting sunnier, and warmer, days. Much like the changing of the season, there are moments of radiant sunshine, and then long days of darkness and sadness. Which is where this playlist comes from in its outlook.

Here are just 5 of the songs, chosen from the 250, that have really gotten to me. Some are just about having a good time- thats the sunshine!- but some really identify with those times of suffering and trouble.

Meadows spent years trying to escape himself. He's anything but selfish, so he'd find a way to get away-- a bottle, a bag, a sermon -- and he'd share it with anyone. Underdogs is an encouraging clarion call to those who feel like they're at the back of the queue.


This took me straight to mid-west America, a close community, and a heck of a good time on the weekend


The Minneapolis singer takes us somewhere that people arrive and go - The Airport.  Leaving our troubles behind, she suggests we 'leave our burdens at the boarding gate' 


I'm a big fan of Courtney's album released earlier this year. Isn't the world be better with the Kindness of Strangers?


"He ain't coming back here again, they're passengers on a ship that can't go back from where it's come." - Will Overman

Albums of the Year 2014

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Well it's been a crazy year! Apologies for not updating this blog more, but i've lacked the time, life just kinda took over. As Lennon didn't say, "life not blogging is what happens whilst you're busy making doing other plans things."

So to my fave records and gigs of this year then, in no particular order..
You can listen to some of the music here in this playlist too

Thanx

Emma Tricca- Relic Straddling a line somewhere between folk, soundtrack and indie, Tricca’s softly spoken east-end melancholy create a perfect soundtrack on which to pause to and consider, or to happily idle away an hour in the afternoon. A beautifully written second album from Hackney's ‘Giallo Princess'.

Honeyblood- Honeyblood Stina Tweeddale and drummer Shona McVicar are two lasses from Glasgow making some pretty catchy and addictive indie music. Tracks like Fall Forever, Killer Bangs and Anywhere But Here lead the way.
Shabazz Palaces- Lese Majesty Not the easiest of hip hop albums but like Egyptian Jazz legend Pharoah Sanders, you can't just stick this on and let it slip into the background. As the Seattle duo of Ishmael Butler and Tendai Maraire put it themselves the album is "a series of astral suites, recorded happenings". This 18 track odyssey  more than stakes a claim as the 8th wonder of hip hop

Orlando Julius & The Heliocentrics- Jaiyede Afro The Heliocentrics have been busy this year,  and this album recorded with afro-jazz legend and pioneer Orlando Julius has only enhanced his reputation.  Another high calibre release on Strut who had a great 201.

Damien Jurado- Brothers & Sisters of the Eternal Son A real renaissance album from  Jurado, with my personal highlight Silver Timothy.

Jennifer Castle- Pink City Her sweet pitch is steeped in the spiritual folk of Carol Kleyn and akin; the Toronto singers heartfelt album will have you yearning for the simple life. Highlights include Down River and Sailing Away.

Space Daze- Follow My Light Back Home Delightful, sweet and this years perfect summer record from Seapony's Danny Rowland. A super little album of dreampop - watch out for remixes next year.. 

Jane Weaver- The Silver Globe Picadilly records described this in their end of year list asn " analogue synth-laden pop-krautrock-folk epic." and i don't think i can better that description!

Taylor McFerrin- Early Riser Emotive basslines, zappy moog play and good toplines make this album work to a deeper level, whilst Decisions with Emily King has been on repeat. 

Matthew Halsall- When The World Was One “Grooving through time on the spiritual sunship.” (Mojo), this album of modal, spiritual jazz echoes of Coltrane and the greats that have gone before. A real highlight from A Love Supreme Jazz festival too.

Just missed the list: SZA, Mr Twin Sister, Sharon Van Etten, Merchandise, Alvvays

Re-Issues/ Catalogue

Eddy Giles- Southern Soul Brother (Kent) 2014 saw a bit of a renaissance and focus on Northern Soul, and when i heard Roger at my local record store play this, I had to buy it- super super soul from the singer who is became a preacher man. There's a nice video of the CD here .

Brothers & Sisters- Dylans Gospel (Light In The Attic) Alongside Strut, Light In The Attic had a good year with this the highlight for me, the 1969 recording by Sam Cooke's longstanding producer Lou Rawls and featured Mary Clayton, Glora Jones and others all taking on Bob Dylan's most stirring songs.

Marshall Allen Presents Sun Ra Have you heard the latest news from Neptune, Neptune, Neptune? Marshall Allen has and put together this excellent double comp of highlights from the Jazz legends extensive catalogue. Also my favourite artwork of the year.

V/A Too Slow To Disco As purchased from Rise in Bristol this is a fine selection of AOR/Yacht Rock.


LIVE HIGHLIGHTS- Top 6 Gigs
Daptone Soul Revue- Academy Shepherds Bush
Beck- iTunes Festival
Courtney Barnett- Islington Assembly Hall
Sharon Van Etten- Koko
Matthew Halsall Band- Love Supreme Festival
Smashing Pumpkins - Lauren Laverne 6Music Session (Bonus)

2012- End of Year Review

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Quite fitting that the 50th blog post is a review of this years best records (in my view anyway!), but firstly thankyou for reading this and for the support!

So below are my favourite 10, chosen because i think they'll stand the test of time and are great records.

Please comment on my choice and let me know what music has inspired you or that you would put in your end of year lists.

Happy 2013 too!
Simon 



MUSIC
Top albums of 2012 (in no order)

Tame Impala- Lonerism
Psychadelic space rock at it's finest and there other it's also sonically stunning. Lonerism is as complete an album, a piece of art, as you're likely to hear this year, maybe this decade.

Menahan Street Band- The Crossing
After their superb debut 'Make The Road By Walking' Tommy Breneck & co keep standards high with an altogether more wintery record of blues and thought provoking melancholy.

KWJAZ- KWJAZ
San Fran's Peter Berends, whose two track LP is all dub, jazz, dreamy loops and twinkley keys. The 22 minute duration of each 'tape' would make Tangerine Dream proud as he journeys between delayed electronica, radio crackle and muffled, blurry moments of genius; inviting us to listen to someone else’s cloud 9.

Rodriguez- Searching For Sugarman OST
Anyone who had previously discovered Cold Fact would have enjoyed the documentary on the reclusive singers life, released over the Summer but the soundtrack CD, melded the best of that album as well as follow up Coming From Reality resulting in a superb collection.

Nneka- Soul Is Heavy
If you enjoyed Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation album there’s something in this from the Nigerian singer. It’s Soulpop with some very well written RnB too.

Lee Fields & The Expressions- Faithful Man
This isn't Fields changing his game to make modern Funk, it's more him sticking to his guns as at 61 he's stepping out from behind the shadow of James Brown along with contemporaries such as Charles Bradley & Bobby Womack to keep Funk on it's game. Faithful Man is life, love and politics, without being too preachy or soppy, showing very much that the man still got it.

The Magnetic North- Orkney: Symphony of the Magnetic North

A concept album telling the tale of the Orkney Isles that is cinematic and folky. A blend that really works, honing the musical talents of Hannah Peel and Erland Cooper of indie act Erland & The Carnival.

DJ Format- Statement of Intent
Cut from the hem of the Endtroducing//Jurassic 5 era, Formats debut album Music For The Mature B-Boy propelled him from bedroom tinkerer to one of the scenes most respected beat junkies. This third outing, the follow up to 2005's if you can't beat em, join 'em, we find him in fine fettle, chopping up crate dug records and partnering with Canadian MC Abdominal. The first half of the album is definitely for the breakers amongst us, whereas the second half takes on a funkier sound as he teams up with Nostalgia 77, Mr Lif & Edan amongst others. Copper Canyons is worth a mention, cinematic, slightly oriental and mysterious, it's a much cooler version of the x-men theme tune. Other highlights include Remember... , Notes In Quotation and the bond-esque Mayor of a Ghost Town

First Aid Kit- The Lions Roar
The Swedish sisters suffer the opposite of second album blues on this fantastic follow up to 'The Big The Black & The Blue' with some compelling country Americana.

Quantic & Alice Russell- Look Around The Corner
Recorded in Cali, Colombia, We were given a pre-release teaser with the title track and it's Rotary Connection/Minnie Riperton influenced sound, a real corker. But it was KCRW (possibly one of the best stations in the US for indie music) , that broke another highlight 'Light In The Window', a cover of Marvin/Diana Ross's original and one of Russells favourites. Delivered with a tonky, slightly off-key piano, it sounds deeply authentic. Travelling Song gives us a taste of the tropics with it's melodic bossa flair whilst the fun Su Suzy sounds like a long lost and sweet R&B record. The mid-tempo I'd Cry meanwhile is just a great track to kick back to whilst enjoying a pina colada. This is the album to kick back to, open the windows to and welcome the summer in.

Download: 

Best of the rest:
Triptides – Sun Pavilion
Fans of Real Estate need look no further for their next fix. 
Patterson Hood – Heat Lightning Rumbles In The Distance  
Superb storytelling & campfire songs from the Drive-By Truckers frontman
Substantial – Home Is Where The Art Is  
Rap steeped in life and learning from the Maryland MC
Hollie Cook – Prince Fatty Presents  
Superb Dub Reggae versions of Hollie Cooks debut
Tanya Lacey – Head Chef  
A real talent from Bristol, if you like Kelly Rowland then this will appeal
THEESatisfaction – awE naturalE  
Cool & sassy beat meets RnB, will appeal to fans of Erykah Badu, Georgia Anne Muldrow




BOOKS

Up Pohnpei, Paul Watson
A book that was hard to put down (and caused me to be tired at work for a few mornings!) Watson tells the story of two plucky Brits venturing into the unknown from their comfy couches in West London with the aim to coach an Island team of misfits to international glory. A fantastic book and highly recommended especially if you're into sports and football.

The Life & Times of Sam Cooke, Daniel Wolfe
A compelling read and recommended reading for any fan of Sam, soul or American black politics from the mid fifties into the early sixties. 

2011- end of year review

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As the year draws to a close i've been pondering my fave(ourite) albums of the year and books too. It was a great year for some excellent music and thankfully far too much to list here. Music is such a great blessing!

So below are my favourites, but what are yours?! Be great to know what music has inspired you or that you would put in your end of year lists!

MUSIC
Top albums of 2011 (in no order)

 






















Oddisee- Rock Creek Park
Inspired entirely by nature and Gods creation! The hiphop producer fell in love with Rock Creek park in Washington and dedicated an album to it, soundtracking the different areas within the nature reserve. Funky and filled with vinyl crackle in all the right places this instrumental ode has stayed on the stereo and been revisited often.

Charles Bradley- No Time For Dreaming
With a voice that sounds world weary and weathered it'd be fair to say Bradley hasn't lived the easy life. With his voice drawing close to the great James Brown at times, this is an excellent stateside debut. Backed by the impressive Menahan Street band this includes the song 'why is it so hard to make it in America', modern funk at it's best.

Dangermouse- Rome
Featuring an all star cast including Jack White and Norah Jones, this album is something akin to a modern Ennio Morricone soundtrack, but without the film.

Tigran Hamasyan- A Fable
Delicate in places this undulates excites and saddens in equal measures as the 24 year old piano virtuoso took folk songs from his native Armenia and spins them to an american style. Without doubt my favourite jazz album of the year.

Gardens & Villa- S/T
Mixing slow, cosmic boogie with 80's influences such as Talking Heads this is a perfect post 9pm album to segue Autumn nights into Winter.

Real Estate- Days
Melancholic but dreamy and melodious the New Jersey acts second album is indie rock brilliant..

Samiyam- Sam Bakers Album
Funny thing is i used to know someone called Sam Baker at school, but this is a different Sam Baker. On FlyLo's Brainfeeder imprint this is geared towards after-hours listening, or post-club (if you 'club'), soft, vibey keys blur with looped vocals, film samples and various beats, flittering between hip-hop, broken beat and dubstep!

The Kramford Look- 1970
Flying so far below the radar it could easily have been missed or overlooked, but the Manchester duo have literally hopped into a time machine, gone back to 1970-80, watched a heap of blaxploitation and action films and then put pen to stansa. Thanks to Gaz in the office for putting me onto this one!

Raphael Saadiq- Stone Rollin'
All prepped and ready to dislike this but Saadiq who crazily is nearly 50 now, has come up with the goods as he looks towards prairey house folk, chunk funk and the odd slice of honeyed R&B. The cover art reminds me of Cassius' 1999 too.

Glen Campbell- Ghost On The Canvas
Sadly due to his terminal illness, this is the country star's final album but fittingly it's heartfelt with a touch of nostalgia and thankfulness and is as catchy in places as some of his hits.

Best of the rest:
Venice Dawn- Something About April
Dawes- Nothing Is Wrong
Austra- Beat And The Pulse
Dennis Coffey- D.E.T
Seapony- Go With Me
Beastie Boys- Hot Sauce Committee Volume II
Common- The Dreamer, The Believer (rel: 19th Dec)

Listen to all of these albums here: BristolFunk- Approved Albums of 2011

BOOKS
I managed to read about 6 books this year, most of which are included below, in 2012 i'm going to try and read some more music biographies too..


A. Dom Joly- The Dark Tourist
Disturbing but hilarious Joly journals his visits to some of the least likely tourist destinations including Iran, North Korea and Chernobyl

B. Canon Andrew White, The Vicar of Baghdad- Faith Under Fire
C. Michael Baughen- One Big Question (why does a God of love allow suffering)
D. Chris Evans Autobiography part 2
E. Malcolm Duncan- Kingdom Come, The Local Church as a Catalyst for Social Change


Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a blessed and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous 2012

Playlist: Every Sample from Showbiz & AG's Runaway Slave album

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Listening to Show & AG's seminal hiphop debut Runaway Slave on the way into work last week, I noticed lots of crate digging samples that the likes of DJ Shadow and Kanye would have been pretty chuffed with,

So here's a little playlist, including every available, original, sample from their 1992 opus!

Playlist:::
Showbiz & AG - Samples from Runaway Slave

(please subscribe and pass on!)

2010- end of year review

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So seeing as we're nearly in 2011, here are 10 of the albums that have really stood above the rest for me this year.

This list features on Amazon here

Ty- Special Kind Of Fool
Possibly Ty's best album yet, and his debut on BBE this could be hiphop album of the year. Lyrically sharp, funky and as ever with Mr Chikoke- personal.

Aloe Blacc- Good Things
Politically shrewd, soulful and forward looking, Blacc paints a picture of America 2010. This is Blaccs moment as he glances toward Gil Scott Heron and Bill Withers. Featuring I Need A Dollar, big hit.

Shad- TSOL
A stellar album from one of Canada's finest up and coming hiphop artists, TSOL has Christian roots lyrically but boy is this record funky. If you like Pharcyde, check this.

Travie McCoy- Lazarus
This isn't me going all commercial, but this is an excellent pre-party album, irresistibly catchy (unfortunately). And Billionaire says something about modern society.

The Hundred In The Hands- The Hundred In The Hands
Very under appreciated album, you'll like that if you were a fan last year of Ladyhawkes album. The track Pigeons stands miles ahead.

Bonobo- Black Sands
Four albums in and Simon Green still has an ability to surprise and delight. In Black Sands he has created a beat record influenced by the contemporary and the oriental.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings- I Learned The Hard Way
She makes follow up albums seem easy and seems to get better with age, but this record is too catchy to put down,  12 very well written songs, accompanied with knockout funk flair by the dap-kings.

Harper Simon- Harper Simon
Always difficult to be in your dad's shadow, but Harper's album proves he can stand on his own two just fine (even if his dad did co-write a couple). One of the best debuts you're likely to hear.

Hauschka- Foreign Landscapes
Pretty much Man With A Movie Camera 'Part 2', the German born producer eloquently paints intricate and often mood-setting glacial soundscapes.

Nite Jewel- Good Evening
Okay so this is late 2009, but can you date it? Lo-fi 80's synth pop which looks towards Kraftwerk. Recorded in a bedroom and all analogue,  dark & deep, lo-fi is back and long live cassette.