14 tracks continues to delight with some excellent collections (Check out the recent Ghost Box selection). Last weeks focused on slow-mo house, dubstep and techno; The results are stupendous with mighty jams from the likes of Quest, Andy Stott and Nicolas Jaar. We're featuring James Kumo's 'Koma' which kicks like the proverbial mule.
The Gil Scott Heron/Jamie XX LP is out this week; 'We're New Here' see's the current remixer de jour get his hands on Gil's record from last year, to be absolutely honest it's a little bit hit and miss, but the hits are good. Very good. None more so than on the future soul jam of 'My Cloud'.
Nicolas Jaar's debut offering is well worth seeking out. The 20 year old New York resident has just released his debut long player on his own Circus Company imprint (Clever bastard). 'Space Is Only Noise' is a wonderful fusion that draws on many genre's, from electronica to blues, from folk to techno. An excellent treat for your ear lobes, check out the title track; Nice squelch action.
Com Truise continues the current trend of altering existing celebrity names for their own use (See Joy Orbison, Jonny Nash). His recent EP 'Cyanide Sisters' is available on Ghostly International and it's chock full of prime android funk. Get your copy here.
The first great record of 2011 is here with PJ Harvey's eighth studio LP 'Let England Shake'. The album was recorded over a five week period in Dorset and sees Polly Jean explore the subject of conflict (The Gallipoli campaign and modern day testimonies from soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are cited as influences). Simple, child like melodies make this a very accessible record despite the heavy lyrical content; None more so than on 'Written On The Forehead' which uses elements of Niney The Observer's 'Blood and Fire' to marvelous effect.
If your a little late with your Valentines gift, let me be of assistance. You could get your beloved the excellent album from Canadian mentalist Tonetta. '777' is available via Black Tent Press and rather than run you through the usual triteness here's a few song titles and sample lyrics:
RVNG Intl are preparing to reissue the seminal 1980 LP from Harald Grosskopf entitled 'Synthesist'. He'd previously been a percussionist extraordinaire for the likes of Ash Ra Temple and Klaus Schulze. In the summer of 1979 he headed to the West German countryside armed with a Minimoog and a Revox reel to reel and spent two months grappling with his fickle technology until an understanding was reached. From these sessions came 'Synthesist'. RVNG have also commissioned a remix package which features the likes of Arp, CFCF, JD Twitch and many more getting their mits on the original parts. Here's Blondes with their version of 'Synthesist', a match made in musical heaven.
To be absolutely honest with you dear reader, there's been very little to get my musical juices flowing so far in '11. Very much the exception is the new compilation from Strut entitled 'Sofrito Tropical Disco'. Put together by the chaps behind the hugely successful Sofrito parties in London, this is just the thing you need to banish any winter blues. Get it here.
