You ever had one of those wars where everything goes wrong?

The 14 tracks service continues apace, the latest selection focusing on the 'Squashed Funk of LA'. So you get the likes of Fly Lo, Madlib, Ras G, Nosaj Thing etc. Do yourself a favour & get the whole bundle, it'll be the best £6.86 you spend all week. From it here's the spasmodic funk of Dam Funk.

Dam Funk- Black (Download)

Bibio is the subject of this weeks guest list feature on Pitchfork: He mentions The Gentleman Losers 'Laureline' a long time fav of ours:

"I've kind of been obsessing quite a bit about "Laureline", which is a track by the Gentleman Losers [from] their first album, which I've just been listening to repeatedly. It's probably just one of the saddest songs I've ever heard. Really beautiful, kind of super melancholy, but not dirge-y or depressing. It's a different kind of melancholy. It's kind of the sadness of parting with someone, perhaps, and all the kind of emotions that follow that kind of tragic event. It's a little bit like the healing process your mind goes through after you've experienced something really tragic. That's how it makes me feel. It reminds me of the period after heartbreak, the healing process. But you're going through waves of anguish and waves of bliss, simultaneously."

Couldn't have put it better myself. You can get both Gentleman Losers long players over at Boomkat.

The Gentleman Losers- Laureline (Download)

Insanity is just a state of mind..

It's fair to say that we went a little barmy over Blue Daisy's debut release (It even made it onto Pitchfork's radar). We were lucky enough to speak to the man via the interweb, here's what transpired:

Tell us a little about your musical history.

My journey into music started about 5years ago now, as a young boy I never dreamed myself being involved with music in-fact I had no interest in music what so ever.. I was inspired to start a journey as a rapper/producer by Kanye West's College dropout album.. I started out on hip-hop ejay but got bored of that after while as it limited ur creativity due to all loops pre-built for you already. I got a copy of FL Studio 3 demo and used to bunk of classes to stay home making beats and experimenting with the sounds..As it was a demo I never got to save projects I did, so i used to leave my PC on and turn the monitor off so I could come back to finish tracks if i hadn't done so.. It has been a major grind for five years to get my music heard and I am just so excited to have music out there that people are enjoying..

Favourite current tunes/artists?

At this moment in time I am listening to Grouper's third album "Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill"..The album is so peaceful, it takes you into a daze of dark ambience...Love it..
I am also listening to Peter Broderick "Music for Falling From Trees"...Awesome piece right there..
A tune that I adore even though it is pretty old is Little Dragon's "Scribbles"....Little Dragon are genius..It is one of my dreams to work with them..

Musical Hero's?

Music Hero's..Wow.. I can't begin to name all of them cos it will take a little while but I would say I look up to, as mad as it seems, Damon Albarn.. I think he is, in his own right, a musical legend...He is not scared to branch out of his comfort zone and it seems to work all the time, well at least for me..
I'm also get some inspiration from the likes of Sun Ra, Herbie Hancock, Bjork, Massive Attack, Portishead..The list goes on..

Do you talk to yourself?

Haha, All the time man...All the time...I don't see it as a sign of madness it just a way of correcting myself or just thinking out loud kind of thing..

What's your favourite insult?

ON SOME WASTEMAN TING!!!..Hahaha..!!!..

Do you have a personal motto?

Live for today and Make music for tomorrow..!!..

Watch out for this one, he's gonna be big in the game..

Grouper's excellent 'Dragging a Dead Deer Up A Hill' was referenced above, lets have something from it. Seriously lovely LP.

Grouper- Stuck (Download)

Whilst we have our Dubstep/Grimy/Whateverthefuckyouwanttocallit hat on, here's a couple of albums that deserve your attention. Martyn's 'Great Lengths' long player has been out for a month or so and it's very good indeed. Dubbyraveno..

Martyn- The Only Choice (Download)

If you like your dub a little more moody, have a gander at Clubroot's self titled debut. Perfect for late night contemplation..

Clubroot- Low Pressure Zone (Download)

A device has yet to be invented that will measure my indifference to this remark..

More from those Wooden Shjips, they recently slipped out a new EP entitled 'Contact'. The title track is a cover of Serge Gainsbourg, have a listen to B-side 'I Hear the Vibrations'. Even the laxest of sniffer dogs would have no problems detecting the narcotics dripping out of this tune..

Wooden Shjips- I Hear the Vibrations (Download)

Been very much enjoying this turbo charged version of 'Baby Please Don't Go' by The Amboy Dukes of late. Thought you'd like it too. From the very essential 'Nuggets' series.

The Amboy Dukes- Baby Please Don't Go (Download)

If you missed Gonzo over the weekend, get yourself over to the Iplayer pronto..

Welcome to New York, now go the fuck home..

The weekend is nigh: If you planning on cutting loose in your local night spot, let Horse Meat Disco get you in the mood. Here's 'Silly Bones' off their excellent new EP which you can purchase here.

Horse Meat Disco- Silly Bones (Download)

If your in the mood for a spot of pimping, let Ralph Lundsten's 'Discophrenia' soundtrack your activities (Could also be used if you become embroiled in a car chase that ends up at a disused power station). Total cosmic brilliance.

Ralph Lundsten- Robot Amoroso (Download)

To-da-loo, Motherfucka..

The Dirty Projectors new record 'Bitte Orca' has been showered in all sorts of critical acclaim. It's an album that seems to draw from many of our current US faves (The delicate harmonies of Grizzly Bear, the skewed pop of Animal Collective & the unconventional arrangements of Battles). It's a record that'll seep into your consciousness. From it here's 'Two Doves' which seems to borrow ever so slightly from Fleetwood Mac's 'Never Going Back Again'.

The Dirty Projectors- Two Doves (Download)

Another EP that's hot off the press to tell you about: The prolific Paul White has a new disc to share with you, 'The Punch Drummer'. Nice blurb: "Hearing this EP early in the morning is like taking a small shot of nitrous oxide with your cuppa, at once invigorating and head meltingly psyched, swamping his ghetto weight beats in acres of reverb and synthlines cut loose from their circuit moorings". If your into The Gaslamp Killer, Flying Lotus, Fulgeance or anything good, get over to Boomkat tout suite.

Paul White- Riding the Clouds (Download)

The universe is a big place, perhaps the biggest..

More from our man Fulgeance: His 'Low Club EP' was all over our turntables a few months back, now he has new EP 'Smartbanging' in the bag. More low end bizness to bother your dancefloor with. The record also features a remix from Warp wizard Jimmy Edgar.

Fulgeance- Smartbanging (Download)

Hype: A very small portion of the internets went slightly doolally with the news that indie hero's Atlas Sound & Panda Bear had hooked up for a collab. It will feature on the new Atlas Sound LP 'Logo's' which is out in October, although it would have snuck very nicely onto Panda's last solo record 'Person Pitch'. See what you think:

Atlas Sound Ft Panda Bear- Walkabout (Download)

It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious..

Some ammunition to stick into your disco cannon. The Emperor Machine's remix of Laurent Garnier's 'Pay Tv' is bundles of fun. Arpeggiators exploding all over the place. Get the full package here.

Laurent Garnier- Pay Tv (Emperor Machine Remix) (Download)

About time we mentioned The Emperor Machine's new LP, 'Space Beyond the Egg' is out now on DC Recordings. Another sterling collection of discopsychkraut jams. Here's lead single 'Whats in the Box'.

The Emperor Machine- Whats in the Box (Download)

Andrew Weatherall gets a hold of the Doves and gives them a nimble disco makeover. Awesome low slung business. Look out for the full release which also contains remixes from Lindstrom and The Time and Space Machine.

The Doves- Compulsion (Andrew Weatherall Remix) (Download)

An extra Friday bonus, here's the latest jam from Dognoize (Of which I am exactly one half). 'This is Drugs' (Not that we condone that type of thing).

Dognoize- This is Drugs (Download)

Did a little piece for Hype Machine Radio the other day, you can listen to it here. It's all about me see..

Silverclub Q&A

It's been a wee while since we've heard from those Silverclub fellas, we caught up with front man Duncan Jones for a quick chinwag..

Tell us what's happening with Silverclub at the moment?

Well we are fresh from the main stage at Beatherder festival. I think
we were the only band it rained for all weekend. We wanted to take a
little piece of Manchester there with us, but that was ridiculous, it
was literally only from the start of our line-check to the end of the
set, the sun came back out for the next band. We'll be in high demand
if there's a hosepipe ban this summer.

We've just managed to recruit ourselves a new drummer in the form of
my friend Pete Marshall, and also Jim Noir has joined us on keys, I
think its really come together quickly with this line up and it comes
across how much we are all enjoying it.

The next step is the release of the 'Answers' EP on Factory Foundation
Recordings, late September. Already we have remixes from Heartbreak
and Remute, and have a couple more heavy hitters working on the parts
as I write, should be a great release all told, our original versions
are up to preview on the myspace.

Favourite band/tracks of the past few months?

To be honest a lot of the good stuff I have heard recently has been
out of Manchester, the live bands scene is as healthy as it has been
in a long while, People like The Travelling band, Ten Bears and Frazer
king have been favourites of mine for some time now and I would dearly
love them to get wider recognition. I've recently been attempting to
do my homework on some more local acts and people like Soundcarriers,
May68 and Delphic have all impressed. To be fair I heard of Delphic a
long time ago as there were some comparisons between ourselves and
them early on, me being me I decided I didn't like them even before
hearing them. Not my best move ever, turns out they are pretty good,
maybe I just got jealous because they make more money than us! (at the
moment ;) )

Favourite gig?

Spiritualised at Glastonbury 98 is right up there, although I had
taken so much acid for all I know I could have been stood listening to
the stereo at one of the food stalls. As far as our own gigs go,
supporting the whip at academy 2 was pretty special, and also
Beatherder as it was my first festival show with a band, I had only
previously played under my DNCN moniker with my live techno/house
stuff, speaking of which, when I smashed it at D:percussion a couple
of years back doing that was one to (sort of) remember as well.

Favourite piece of sportswear?

Got to be my Custom Etnies, Black with green and yellow, they are as
gross as they sound and have 'DNCN' stitched into each heel. I was
given them as a gift for doing a remix for my friend Joshua Collins
label a few years back, it was for an act called 'Dirty Sole'
amusingly enough, the track was 'Summer city - DNCN's just for kicks
remix'.

Favourite Ice Cream?

well I got a 12 pack of FAB lollies the other day which lasted a day
and a half so they must rank highly, Solero's are up there, and I'm
also fond of Callipo's, the thinking man's Ice pop.

PS join the facebook group to get details of the latest shows for when
I forget to put them on Myspace until the last minute!

Silverclub- Leaving Las Longsight (Download)

I found yo' nine-iron, bitch..

'Remember "Murder Ballads"? Well, this is "Murder Disco". Krikor and the Dead Hillbillies debut long player 'Land of Truth' came out in June on the Tigersushi imprint and features contributions from label mates Poni Hoax and other such luminaries of the Parsian scene:
" The urge and darkness of alternative underground culture - from frenzy Psychobilly to throbbing Industrial - brought back into dance music by France's best kept secret, Krikor"

Krikor and the Dead Hillbillies- The Times (Download)

Another LP to tell you about from across the channel, Cercueil's new album 'Shoo Straight Shout' is out now on Optical Sound. Here's how they describe themselves: 'Cercueil means "Coffin" in french, and if one day you've got to babysit a baby monster, play it and look him dancing: it will certainly change your life...'. Not sure about that, but if you're looking for a record full of mutant disco sounds, check them out. A little taste for you:

Cercueil- Skip One Breath (Download)

Nothing exceeds like excess..

Lets have a bit of gorgeous to start the week shall we? From Peter Broderick's elegant new LP 'Music For Falling From Trees' here's 'Patient Observation'. You can purchase it here.

Peter Broderick- Part 2: Patient Observation (Download)

From Valet's supreme 'Naked Acid' album, check 'Kehaar'. The aural equivalent of that first chink of light through the curtains, signalling the arrival of another velvet morning..

Valet- Kehaar (Download)

A couple of choice summer mixes to direct you towards. Head here to pick up Optimo's 'Synth Summer Mix'. Then get over to Alainfinkielkrautrock and pick up a summer mix tape from the Dirty Sound System. Neither mix has a tracklisting, so as well as listening to some great new music you can also play a few rounds of 'What the fuck is this?'.

Blinking in the Morning Sun..

Elbow with the Halle orchestra last evening was an utter privilege to witness: The Bridgewater hall rocked (gently) out as the band drew from all four of their long players. Joe Duddell lead the Halle in some sparkling renditions of the bands catalogue, 'Starlings' in particular had a sumptuous elongated intro. 'Grounds for Divorce' turned into a huge singalong, ably led by the Halle Youth Orchestra. The gig was also being beamed live to Castlefield, were 5000 people had congregated to watch on big screens. it was after one of these live link ups that the band launched into a song about crushing loneliness ('The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver'). Inevitably 'On a Day Like This' closed proceedings & the band were given a magnificent send off from the masses. They seemed genuinely humbled by the whole experience. Beautiful doesn't seem a big enough word to describe the evening...
In the program Guy Garvey described the show as 'A love letter to the city and it's acceptance of music and arts throughout history'. This (plastic) Mancunian is extremely grateful to have experienced it. A couple of tunes then, first up is 'Grounds for Divorce' live from Abbey road:

Elbow- Grounds for Divorce (Live at Abbey Road) (Download)

And here's their debut single, 'Newborn'.

Elbow- Newborn (Download)

The Mad Heat & the Relentless Rains..

The Units are the subject of a new retrospective on Community Library recordings. They emerged out of San Francisco's new wave scene during the late 70's, embracing the synthesizer & new technologies: 'The Units represent an overlooked adjoining movement that bridged the DIY ethics of new wave with the electro-pop movement of the 1980s, and these early recordings represent a snapshot of that transition in all its shambolic, experimental glory. A hugely enjoyable collection..'. You can get the CD over at the ever excellent Boomkat.

The Units- Cowboy (Download)

And here's a superb update from disc jockey extraordinaire Rory Phillips.

The Units- High Pressure Days (Rory Phillips Remix) (Download)

Not to dwell too much on recent events, this however is a splendid cover of 'Billie Jean' with a little 'Eleanor Rigby' chucked in at the end from Caetano Veloso.

Caetano Veloso- Billie Jean/Eleanor Rigby (Download)

I always tell the truth. Even when I lie..

Very fine new single to tell yoose about: Blue Daisy's 'Space Ex' has been causing quite the stir recently, here's the B-side 'Fall' which is very reminiscent of the recent Burial/Four Tet collab. If they hadn't already worked together I'd have probably described this as Four Tet sharing a Mango Lassi with Burial. Yadayadayada....Get the full release over at Boomkat.

Blue Daisy- Fall (Download)

Lord Alkan began his residency on 6music on Saturday night. If you missed it head over to the Beeb and tune in via the listen again function. Lots of good selections that included: Kerrier District, Clark, Blur & Billie Holiday amongst many others. He also slipped in this from the hotly tipped The XX.

The XX- Crysatlised (Download)

This July, let He who is without sin kick the first ass..

3 resplendent long players to point you towards today- Bibio's new record 'Ambivalence Avenue' is out now on Warp & it's a psychedelic extravaganza. Destined to soundtrack just about everything (BBQ's, adverts, quirky independent American films) it's a long player to savour. Hugely impressive. Buy it here.

Bibio- Ambivalence Avenue (Download)

Yacht prepare their 'See Mystery Lights' album for DFA:

'See Mystery Lights is idiosyncratic and heavily layered, exploring themes from the existential, to the spiritual, to the hedonistic, all through the distorting lens of pop.The true beauty, however, is that one can choose to dive down YACHT's rabbit hole and search for answers -- or just as easily ignore their cryptic motifs and enjoy See Mystery Lights for the adventurous and innovative avant-pop album that it is'

A little Talking Heads in places, a little Desmond Dekker in others 'See Mystery Lights' is one of the most interesting pop records you'll hear this year. It comes out at the end of July. From it here's 'It's Boring/You Can Live Anywhere You Want' which is one of those tunes that starts off strolling down a country road and ends up hurtling down the Autobahn.

Yacht- It's Boring/You Can Live Anywhere You Want (Download)

Neil Young sounded great at Glastonbury didn't he? (Well, through my telly box he did). You can now get all the Young you want as 'Archives Vol 1 1963-1972' has just been released. As well as studio & live tracks you get loads of film footage of the man. Here's CSNY doing an early version of 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart'.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young- Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Download)