Let's remind ourselves why we're here - it's about the tunes - simply and only about the tunes. The writing and the blogging is (massively) secondary and a 'nice to have' as opposed to the necessity that is the music. So from here on if updates are made on Spot with no accompanying Blog post then that's fair enough - so much the better if you do want to post a few thoughts/words, but it's far from the focus...
Accordingly, thank you both for closing out DHS12 and your updates to "The Best Of..." - not a bad thing heard and all much enjoyed and appreciated...
... and so, the thirteenth chapter...
As we all know, pretty much every song ever written is about love in one form, shape, guise or flavour - and so my five to open DHS13 are 'love songs' - in ridiculously simplified order they are,
- broken love
- imploring love
- defiant love
- love as genius lyrical metaphors, and
- 'carpe-diem' love
Posted with One Love
x
Monday, 23 November 2015
Sunday, 11 October 2015
Best of DHS 11 & 12 (S)
Good work D on your recent update - s.o.l.i.d...
(whatever than means)
As for me - I'm slightly thrown by the fact my Spotify display, for a collaborative playlist, has ceased showing which subscribed member contributed any given tune - in terms therefore of not picking my own tunes I'm trusting purely to luck and almost literally no memory whatsoever - forgive therefore and indulge me please if any of the following contains any faux-pas...
Ryan Davis - My White Zebra - if the least worthwhile reason I gave was simply, 'because it's Ryan Davis', I think it would still be justified - quality nonsense - I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla - how could one of us not, and I'm more than glad that it could be me - one of THE most ubiquitous tunes of the last 10+ years but absolutely one of the best - still makes me go gooey every time I hear it - I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
Jay Z - Empire State Of Mind - fairly sure this was posted by D - doesn't matter either way - quite simply one of the tunes of the century so far - I fell in love with it then thought I was over it then spent 96 hours in New York and junior and I walked around humming this tune for 4 days straight - I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
Pachelbel's Canon in D - *no words* *hat tipped*
L.S.G - Netherworld - simply because if there'd been a chance for me to put this on a long-lasting 'best-of' list and I hadn't taken it I would've paid to have myself assassinated - I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
Rui da Silva - Fire - 'cos one has to doesn't one?! Prog to the power of prog squared with lashings more prog and umpteen side helpings of prog. I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
-----
This one may well have taken us a while but, all things considered, this 'best of' malarkey isn't getting any easier. Genuine mentions to Rebelski's 'The Rift Valley', Morricone's 'The Ecstacy Of Gold', Aphex Twin 'Film', Essay 'Morning Mountain', Koto 'Jabdah' and at least another dozen that were under consideration.
-----
DHS13 to open as soon as we close off this round of 'the best of'...
S
(whatever than means)
As for me - I'm slightly thrown by the fact my Spotify display, for a collaborative playlist, has ceased showing which subscribed member contributed any given tune - in terms therefore of not picking my own tunes I'm trusting purely to luck and almost literally no memory whatsoever - forgive therefore and indulge me please if any of the following contains any faux-pas...
Ryan Davis - My White Zebra - if the least worthwhile reason I gave was simply, 'because it's Ryan Davis', I think it would still be justified - quality nonsense - I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla - how could one of us not, and I'm more than glad that it could be me - one of THE most ubiquitous tunes of the last 10+ years but absolutely one of the best - still makes me go gooey every time I hear it - I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
Jay Z - Empire State Of Mind - fairly sure this was posted by D - doesn't matter either way - quite simply one of the tunes of the century so far - I fell in love with it then thought I was over it then spent 96 hours in New York and junior and I walked around humming this tune for 4 days straight - I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
Pachelbel's Canon in D - *no words* *hat tipped*
L.S.G - Netherworld - simply because if there'd been a chance for me to put this on a long-lasting 'best-of' list and I hadn't taken it I would've paid to have myself assassinated - I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
Rui da Silva - Fire - 'cos one has to doesn't one?! Prog to the power of prog squared with lashings more prog and umpteen side helpings of prog. I tip my hat to whoever selected it...
-----
This one may well have taken us a while but, all things considered, this 'best of' malarkey isn't getting any easier. Genuine mentions to Rebelski's 'The Rift Valley', Morricone's 'The Ecstacy Of Gold', Aphex Twin 'Film', Essay 'Morning Mountain', Koto 'Jabdah' and at least another dozen that were under consideration.
-----
DHS13 to open as soon as we close off this round of 'the best of'...
S
Friday, 9 October 2015
Best of DHS 11 & 12 (D)
Well, it's been a long time as Rakim might have said. DHS 11 & 12 have encompassed almost 3 years of our lives, beginning on 11th December 2012. For me personally this has been quite a time of experience and change; 2013 was when I realised for the first time that the job I'd had for years was not for me and was taking too high a toll. My football team got promoted to the premiership, continuing their rollercoaster ride, and capping that year off I met Su and began a 'courtship' that took me 7 hours to get there and required 2 trains, 1 ferry and a bus ride. Never was my time so well spent...
Since then I've left my job, undertaken a massive gamble on a completely new life, left London, got engaged, started a different career and generally laid the foundations for the rest of my life. And Palace are still in the Premier League, which is nice. Quite a lot for 3 years I think. But hey, my life has been many things, but rarely dull...!
And through it all, there has always been music to keep me going. A little slower on DHS sadly, but I constantly hope it will pick up again. Maybe it will, maybe it won't but no matter what I'm glad it's here for now and in its 7th year.
A lot of fun was had in selecting 6 tracks for this best of, and I got it down to 8 before it really got tricky (and a bit nerdy) to decide. Honourable mentions go to Jobe for 'Broken' and to Fred V & Grafix for 'Forest Fires' but in an escalating order of magnitude for me, here are my favourite 6:
The Charmels 'As Long as I've got you'
Dripping with soul and with that great brass section, topped off by a soaring vocal that is free as a bird. Sweet soul music in all senses of the word. Lovely.
Roland M. Dill 'Tzycho'
This is what progressive music should sound like for me - it's got drive, intensity, a killer bass line and a fantastic break that builds and builds and requires fist-pumping / pogo-ing / general bonkers behaviour when it kicks back in. On a big sound system this would be HUGE.
Bubble Club 'Goddess'
If goodness and warmth had a sound, this would be it. It's a totally lush soundscape that simply washes over you and invites you in for a big hug. It gently builds with wonderful melodies as you drift along happily and contented. A wonderful piece of music.
Etherwood 'Hold Your Breath'
What. A. Fucking. Tune. This is what drum 'n bass should be all about, you can keep all the moody nonsense. Good lyrics, GREAT vocal, totally works with the piano and strings build up and then the beats couldn't be anything else, love the filter in and then WALLOP! it's all up in your grill. Tune.
Caribou 'Can't do without You'
Easily the best dance record of 2014 for me. Original with immaculate production, a simple hook and then increasing tempo and mayhem behind it, offset by a lovely ethereal vocal making a great contrast. Then it builds and builds some more until it's a total monster. The production is incredible.
The Cure 'Plainsong'
The best record of DHS 11 & 12 for me is by the Cure! Who saw that coming? Certainly not me, as to my eternal regret I judged this band by how their lead singer looked when I was an impressionable young man and it's completely my loss. Kudos to you Kev for insisting I give this album a couple of goes. I don't love it like you do, but I think it's really good and this is the best track. I just love the epic scale, it makes no excuses and just aurally assaults you, and it is simply brilliant. Nice contrast with the vocal - no other would do it justice I don't think, and it all works perfectly. Love it!
So that's me done. Where will the next 3 years take us? I hope DHS is still going, but even more so I wish us all well (and that Palace are still in the premier league!)
One Love
Since then I've left my job, undertaken a massive gamble on a completely new life, left London, got engaged, started a different career and generally laid the foundations for the rest of my life. And Palace are still in the Premier League, which is nice. Quite a lot for 3 years I think. But hey, my life has been many things, but rarely dull...!
And through it all, there has always been music to keep me going. A little slower on DHS sadly, but I constantly hope it will pick up again. Maybe it will, maybe it won't but no matter what I'm glad it's here for now and in its 7th year.
A lot of fun was had in selecting 6 tracks for this best of, and I got it down to 8 before it really got tricky (and a bit nerdy) to decide. Honourable mentions go to Jobe for 'Broken' and to Fred V & Grafix for 'Forest Fires' but in an escalating order of magnitude for me, here are my favourite 6:
The Charmels 'As Long as I've got you'
Dripping with soul and with that great brass section, topped off by a soaring vocal that is free as a bird. Sweet soul music in all senses of the word. Lovely.
Roland M. Dill 'Tzycho'
This is what progressive music should sound like for me - it's got drive, intensity, a killer bass line and a fantastic break that builds and builds and requires fist-pumping / pogo-ing / general bonkers behaviour when it kicks back in. On a big sound system this would be HUGE.
Bubble Club 'Goddess'
If goodness and warmth had a sound, this would be it. It's a totally lush soundscape that simply washes over you and invites you in for a big hug. It gently builds with wonderful melodies as you drift along happily and contented. A wonderful piece of music.
Etherwood 'Hold Your Breath'
What. A. Fucking. Tune. This is what drum 'n bass should be all about, you can keep all the moody nonsense. Good lyrics, GREAT vocal, totally works with the piano and strings build up and then the beats couldn't be anything else, love the filter in and then WALLOP! it's all up in your grill. Tune.
Caribou 'Can't do without You'
Easily the best dance record of 2014 for me. Original with immaculate production, a simple hook and then increasing tempo and mayhem behind it, offset by a lovely ethereal vocal making a great contrast. Then it builds and builds some more until it's a total monster. The production is incredible.
The Cure 'Plainsong'
The best record of DHS 11 & 12 for me is by the Cure! Who saw that coming? Certainly not me, as to my eternal regret I judged this band by how their lead singer looked when I was an impressionable young man and it's completely my loss. Kudos to you Kev for insisting I give this album a couple of goes. I don't love it like you do, but I think it's really good and this is the best track. I just love the epic scale, it makes no excuses and just aurally assaults you, and it is simply brilliant. Nice contrast with the vocal - no other would do it justice I don't think, and it all works perfectly. Love it!
So that's me done. Where will the next 3 years take us? I hope DHS is still going, but even more so I wish us all well (and that Palace are still in the premier league!)
One Love
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
DHS12 shuts - 'Best of DHS' reopens
It's been well over three years since The Best Of' was last open - but DHS12 is shut now so tradition dictates that we each review the last 180 submissions and pick your favourite six from the 120 you weren't responsible for! (If that makes sense...?)
Not keen to put a time limit on it - let's see how it goes - but no problems shutting it and moving on if it takes too long...
S
Not keen to put a time limit on it - let's see how it goes - but no problems shutting it and moving on if it takes too long...
S
Friday, 28 August 2015
DHS 12 - Part 18 (D)
Afternoon all, I thought I'd better get this in reasonably swiftly before DHS collapses under the ridiculous privacy breaches it enforces on Kev, our founding father. I'll keep it as short as I can too...
So thank you as ever for the music:
Sir Kev
Bubble Club - I can only agree with you fella on this being Utter Bliss, you can just drift away on it can't you? Beautiful and onto the Master List. Marvellous.
Turtle - Love the contrast of the soft yet almost mournful synth and the urgency of the breakbeats, goes well alongside Bubble Club too. I love a good synth sweep myself. Lovely.
Home Video - I can see why the vocal stays with you fella, real haunting number. This is only an ok for me, would be great in the background of a beach bar somewhere.
Essay - This is brilliant, love that hook and the design of the track really works. A unique sounding track for me, doesn't do much but what it does do is plenty. Sweet.
Barry Jamieson - What's not to like? He's gone to town on this one and thrown the kitchen sink at it for me. From Rez to the big synth sweeps, the breaks and the acid squelchs and the melodic hook towards the end it's like he's said 'ave it! and lumped it over. I'll have some of that.
Lord Hodge
Moby - Heller was a bit of a one trick pony for me, but the trick he did he did very very well and thus he was always distinctive. His remixes were always high quality - I remember his take on 'shed my skin' being particularly good. This is another, and was especially good on a big system. Tune.
Dirty Vegas - I hadn't heard this tune in ages! Didn't it have a video with a dude breakdancing on some lino outside a diner or something? With a narrative about waiting for his girl or something? Marvellous. Never heard it at Bedrock but this was a great tune, top selection!
Chems - You are not wrong Hodgson, I clearly remember Digweed playing this and thinking 'what the fuck?!' Also agree about it being a big system tune, that isn't quite so good otherwise - seems like a novelty track on headphones at first but it's actually a slice of classic chemical brothers. Good shit.
L.S.G. I remember the furore on the boards about this at the time, and remember Lisle's gig at the Beach pretty well, as well as Big Kev claiming the credit! Sorry to disappoint you lads but I'm clearly in the minority on this one, it's just ok for me, never really liked the kind of spacey stuff that was about a bit at the time. I mean it was ok but sounded melancholy to me, even 'Gamesmaster' which was probably the best one of its kind.
Rui Da Silva - One of my best nights at Bedrock ever was at the Beach when not only did Digweed drop 'Star Guitar' for the first time but he played this as an encore. Christ I swear I almost danced myself to death that night, it was fucking brilliant. Was at an after party that Shealan invited me to after that gig and Demi played a copy and I hounded him for the name. Also remember tidying up Lisle's copy after he played at that converted lavvy (Public something...) and then ducked when it got to the scratches, and I bugged the hell out of Plastic Fantastic to get me this too. Unbelievable record.
Gents that's almost a perfect ten, very well played indeed. I see I'm already failing at keeping this short...
As this may be my last post ever I did consider some more contemporary tracks that I've been enjoying, but as with Hodge's Bedrock theme, I was absolutely loving a mix album at Easter and have played it so many times it's ridiculous. Here are some of the tracks from it:
Hardway Brothers 'Mania Theme (Weatherall remix)'
The first track that said to me that slowish BPMs can still knock you for 6 in a dance mix. The build on this is amazing, and the soaring melody? Outstanding.
The Asphodells 'A Love from Outer Space'
Wicked tune, great vocal and slick production. Tune.
The Horrors 'Wild Eyed (Weatherall Mix)'
A bit moody this, with a lovely incessant riff that builds and builds and then an ethereal vocal that peaks over the break. And then it all kicks up a notch. Splendid.
Martin Brodin 'Badabing (diskjokke remix)'
Great build to the bassline break, lovely strings and some big energy all the way through it and then a wonderful surprise towards the end that rounds it all off nicely - fists in the air at that point for me. Play LOUD!
Walls 'Into Our Midst'
Ok, last track of DHS12 and I can't do any better than this. I love this track as you already know and so it can rightly stand in the pantheon of last record with its head held high. I would easily end a set with this so I know it's all good. After a build that does not let you know the magnitude of aural pleasure that awaits you, just before two and a half minutes it starts. Then grows, and grows and grows... I like that the melody and intensity is seemingly subtle yet utterly addictive. I hope you do too.
I'm sure you all know which mix I've lifted these from and I could not recommend it highly enough. Weatherall's Renaissance of course. Why have a I never seen him DJ??
One Love
So thank you as ever for the music:
Sir Kev
Bubble Club - I can only agree with you fella on this being Utter Bliss, you can just drift away on it can't you? Beautiful and onto the Master List. Marvellous.
Turtle - Love the contrast of the soft yet almost mournful synth and the urgency of the breakbeats, goes well alongside Bubble Club too. I love a good synth sweep myself. Lovely.
Home Video - I can see why the vocal stays with you fella, real haunting number. This is only an ok for me, would be great in the background of a beach bar somewhere.
Essay - This is brilliant, love that hook and the design of the track really works. A unique sounding track for me, doesn't do much but what it does do is plenty. Sweet.
Barry Jamieson - What's not to like? He's gone to town on this one and thrown the kitchen sink at it for me. From Rez to the big synth sweeps, the breaks and the acid squelchs and the melodic hook towards the end it's like he's said 'ave it! and lumped it over. I'll have some of that.
Lord Hodge
Moby - Heller was a bit of a one trick pony for me, but the trick he did he did very very well and thus he was always distinctive. His remixes were always high quality - I remember his take on 'shed my skin' being particularly good. This is another, and was especially good on a big system. Tune.
Dirty Vegas - I hadn't heard this tune in ages! Didn't it have a video with a dude breakdancing on some lino outside a diner or something? With a narrative about waiting for his girl or something? Marvellous. Never heard it at Bedrock but this was a great tune, top selection!
Chems - You are not wrong Hodgson, I clearly remember Digweed playing this and thinking 'what the fuck?!' Also agree about it being a big system tune, that isn't quite so good otherwise - seems like a novelty track on headphones at first but it's actually a slice of classic chemical brothers. Good shit.
L.S.G. I remember the furore on the boards about this at the time, and remember Lisle's gig at the Beach pretty well, as well as Big Kev claiming the credit! Sorry to disappoint you lads but I'm clearly in the minority on this one, it's just ok for me, never really liked the kind of spacey stuff that was about a bit at the time. I mean it was ok but sounded melancholy to me, even 'Gamesmaster' which was probably the best one of its kind.
Rui Da Silva - One of my best nights at Bedrock ever was at the Beach when not only did Digweed drop 'Star Guitar' for the first time but he played this as an encore. Christ I swear I almost danced myself to death that night, it was fucking brilliant. Was at an after party that Shealan invited me to after that gig and Demi played a copy and I hounded him for the name. Also remember tidying up Lisle's copy after he played at that converted lavvy (Public something...) and then ducked when it got to the scratches, and I bugged the hell out of Plastic Fantastic to get me this too. Unbelievable record.
Gents that's almost a perfect ten, very well played indeed. I see I'm already failing at keeping this short...
As this may be my last post ever I did consider some more contemporary tracks that I've been enjoying, but as with Hodge's Bedrock theme, I was absolutely loving a mix album at Easter and have played it so many times it's ridiculous. Here are some of the tracks from it:
Hardway Brothers 'Mania Theme (Weatherall remix)'
The first track that said to me that slowish BPMs can still knock you for 6 in a dance mix. The build on this is amazing, and the soaring melody? Outstanding.
The Asphodells 'A Love from Outer Space'
Wicked tune, great vocal and slick production. Tune.
The Horrors 'Wild Eyed (Weatherall Mix)'
A bit moody this, with a lovely incessant riff that builds and builds and then an ethereal vocal that peaks over the break. And then it all kicks up a notch. Splendid.
Martin Brodin 'Badabing (diskjokke remix)'
Great build to the bassline break, lovely strings and some big energy all the way through it and then a wonderful surprise towards the end that rounds it all off nicely - fists in the air at that point for me. Play LOUD!
Walls 'Into Our Midst'
Ok, last track of DHS12 and I can't do any better than this. I love this track as you already know and so it can rightly stand in the pantheon of last record with its head held high. I would easily end a set with this so I know it's all good. After a build that does not let you know the magnitude of aural pleasure that awaits you, just before two and a half minutes it starts. Then grows, and grows and grows... I like that the melody and intensity is seemingly subtle yet utterly addictive. I hope you do too.
I'm sure you all know which mix I've lifted these from and I could not recommend it highly enough. Weatherall's Renaissance of course. Why have a I never seen him DJ??
One Love
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
DHS 12 - Part 17 (H)
Straight in, no kissing:
D
Cash - what needs to be said? True legend, one of the most iconic, recognisable voices ever to be recorded imo.
YF - new to me, like.
AC - again what needs to be said? For my money she is the most credible female pop star/musician(that's the important part for me, the fact she actually writes, plays and co-produces her music) in modern era. I have two poss three more of her tracks in my potentials list to bring forward. She's lush
MR - this is new to me and I really like... Great summer feel good flavour to it.
MB - echoes of Sotomayor, enya and some other cinematic sounding efforts.
S
BC - absolutely cracking record and undoubtedly the standout track on Warrens master series mix on Renaissance.
Turtle - really strong record... Correct amount of quirky noises but retaining melody for it to be right up street. Subsequently found some other nice things from them and gone in my playlist.
HV - it's pretty dece isn't it?! He does seem to have a way of really working with strong vocals and keeping them pure as opposed to chopping them up (which quite frankly I thhink we could all do after a day of messing around on a basic set up)... For this reason and several others I will always hold him in high regard no matter what types of criticism he gets. Top lad.
Essay - this is ace.... Have to say I buzz more off Eulbergs remix though. Top tune of the summer.
BJ &S - love the original - this is the one though. Great track.
Strong work gents.
Well, it's been a while since Bedrock at Heaven... I've just about got myself back on track ;)
That really was a special night musically... And it's the theme for my five. I've mentioned to both of you about a separate space for us to throw our memories in... I do think it would be a great way to share stories and music but it would be completely open season and just add as you find and flick out an email to say anything should you want to.
So the tune that took 13 years off me and made it all come flooding back... And what a belter:-
Hellers remix of Mobys Southside.... This was possibly one of the first "moments" I had towards the end of a bedrock night (wasn't last tune by any stretch) but he did bring the lights up at the drop and the place was electric, incredible atmosphere..that great trancey but driving prog that we all coveted so much back then... I still love it now.. Hence I lost my mind hearing it on that system again. Superb.
This is all about some of my fave memories from bedrock so rather than just regurgitating the tunes from the Easter evening I thought I'd base it around some of those other big moments from the main rooms...
D.Vegas - never got fed up of the bass on this.... Vocal is dated but it was one of those "signal" tracks at the time for a couple of months or so... It got played you knew it was about to kick up a gear. Great groove the got us all going and smiling for the inevitable pummelling thereafter. Crowd favourite.
I'll never forget hearing the sinister vocal : it began in Afrika ka ka... It bean in Afrika ka ka.... I swear everyone stopped dead looking round like what is going on? It may not be the best track he ever played but Christ it had an impact first time you heard it... It also demonstrates perfectly just how awesome a tune can sound on a bug system but not transfer to small sound listening (imo) I wouldn't necessarily pick this tune but brings back ace memories of London followed by Brighton the next night when he looped the fuck out of it and clearly enjoyed seeing the London lot for the night before screaming blue murder knowingly at him from the dance floor. Good times.
Staying with Brighton... And I have searched in TOTAL and I hope I've not missed/overlapped on
something already added(??):
Kid loops on netherworld. Christ that was so good.... SO good... Lisle knocked it out the park with this... Thanks to someone for lending him the plastic to play :) Beautiful record
RDS - again not the best record ever made but screw me sideways if you don't remember hearing this the first time. This was a "one more.... one Moooooore" tune at the very end of the eve. And it knocked 7 bells out of me. Build. Tease. Build. Tease. Build. Kill me now. In hindsight it is almost unbearably repetitive but again on the main floor it just worked so very very well.
Bless the memories, bless the music - thanks for sharing some of the above good times with me at various stages.... And thanks for being patient with me.
Keep on Keeping on,
Always,
H
D
Cash - what needs to be said? True legend, one of the most iconic, recognisable voices ever to be recorded imo.
YF - new to me, like.
AC - again what needs to be said? For my money she is the most credible female pop star/musician(that's the important part for me, the fact she actually writes, plays and co-produces her music) in modern era. I have two poss three more of her tracks in my potentials list to bring forward. She's lush
MR - this is new to me and I really like... Great summer feel good flavour to it.
MB - echoes of Sotomayor, enya and some other cinematic sounding efforts.
S
BC - absolutely cracking record and undoubtedly the standout track on Warrens master series mix on Renaissance.
Turtle - really strong record... Correct amount of quirky noises but retaining melody for it to be right up street. Subsequently found some other nice things from them and gone in my playlist.
HV - it's pretty dece isn't it?! He does seem to have a way of really working with strong vocals and keeping them pure as opposed to chopping them up (which quite frankly I thhink we could all do after a day of messing around on a basic set up)... For this reason and several others I will always hold him in high regard no matter what types of criticism he gets. Top lad.
Essay - this is ace.... Have to say I buzz more off Eulbergs remix though. Top tune of the summer.
BJ &S - love the original - this is the one though. Great track.
Strong work gents.
Well, it's been a while since Bedrock at Heaven... I've just about got myself back on track ;)
That really was a special night musically... And it's the theme for my five. I've mentioned to both of you about a separate space for us to throw our memories in... I do think it would be a great way to share stories and music but it would be completely open season and just add as you find and flick out an email to say anything should you want to.
So the tune that took 13 years off me and made it all come flooding back... And what a belter:-
Hellers remix of Mobys Southside.... This was possibly one of the first "moments" I had towards the end of a bedrock night (wasn't last tune by any stretch) but he did bring the lights up at the drop and the place was electric, incredible atmosphere..that great trancey but driving prog that we all coveted so much back then... I still love it now.. Hence I lost my mind hearing it on that system again. Superb.
This is all about some of my fave memories from bedrock so rather than just regurgitating the tunes from the Easter evening I thought I'd base it around some of those other big moments from the main rooms...
D.Vegas - never got fed up of the bass on this.... Vocal is dated but it was one of those "signal" tracks at the time for a couple of months or so... It got played you knew it was about to kick up a gear. Great groove the got us all going and smiling for the inevitable pummelling thereafter. Crowd favourite.
I'll never forget hearing the sinister vocal : it began in Afrika ka ka... It bean in Afrika ka ka.... I swear everyone stopped dead looking round like what is going on? It may not be the best track he ever played but Christ it had an impact first time you heard it... It also demonstrates perfectly just how awesome a tune can sound on a bug system but not transfer to small sound listening (imo) I wouldn't necessarily pick this tune but brings back ace memories of London followed by Brighton the next night when he looped the fuck out of it and clearly enjoyed seeing the London lot for the night before screaming blue murder knowingly at him from the dance floor. Good times.
Staying with Brighton... And I have searched in TOTAL and I hope I've not missed/overlapped on
something already added(??):
Kid loops on netherworld. Christ that was so good.... SO good... Lisle knocked it out the park with this... Thanks to someone for lending him the plastic to play :) Beautiful record
RDS - again not the best record ever made but screw me sideways if you don't remember hearing this the first time. This was a "one more.... one Moooooore" tune at the very end of the eve. And it knocked 7 bells out of me. Build. Tease. Build. Tease. Build. Kill me now. In hindsight it is almost unbearably repetitive but again on the main floor it just worked so very very well.
Bless the memories, bless the music - thanks for sharing some of the above good times with me at various stages.... And thanks for being patient with me.
Keep on Keeping on,
Always,
H
Friday, 3 April 2015
DHS 12 - Part 16 (S)
H
Grand Puba - never cringe about Westwood mate - he's the biggest of big dogs and there since the very beginning - decent tune
Aphex Twin - couldn't make my mind up about Aphex 20 odd years ago and still can't now - tracks like this one make me more favourable though...
Sailor & I - gorgeous strings - prefer the slight additional urgency of the added beats in the Brikha remix
Essay - bliss - Duff, it's on a mix I did for the Bedrock forum's Xmas mix-swap...
Steve Mill - pleasant enough
D
Johnny Cash - it's Johnny Cash innit, nothing more needs be said
Young Fathers - interesting and on my list to explore further
Alicia Keys - wouldn't begin to deny her voice or talent but this one isn't for me
Mint Royale - there's a Crazy Penis remix and how can anybody deny a tune that's had a Crazy Penis remix?!
Martyn Bennett - love the Danny MacAskill video - all of them in fact - they all use music brilliantly - great track
S
Put my 'possibles' list onto shuffle and went with the first five it played...
Bubble Club - been on my possibles list for four and a half years and listening now I can only apologise for not picking it sooner - utter bliss...
Turtle - only been on possibles since January when it was released - I'm a sucker for a breakbeat and synthy sweeps...
Home Video - could've gone with the original as that is also on the possibles list but the laptop picked the Sasha remix - every time I play this the vocal melody stays in my head for days
Essay - another Essay tune, following up Hodgson's use of 'Morning Mountain' on his last outing - been a possible since last August - pretty much me in a current musical nutshell
Barry Jamieson - geezer did a lot of studio engineering for Sasha over the years - the original is ok but this Shiloh remix is utter, Underworld flavoured, filth...
x
Grand Puba - never cringe about Westwood mate - he's the biggest of big dogs and there since the very beginning - decent tune
Aphex Twin - couldn't make my mind up about Aphex 20 odd years ago and still can't now - tracks like this one make me more favourable though...
Sailor & I - gorgeous strings - prefer the slight additional urgency of the added beats in the Brikha remix
Essay - bliss - Duff, it's on a mix I did for the Bedrock forum's Xmas mix-swap...
Steve Mill - pleasant enough
D
Johnny Cash - it's Johnny Cash innit, nothing more needs be said
Young Fathers - interesting and on my list to explore further
Alicia Keys - wouldn't begin to deny her voice or talent but this one isn't for me
Mint Royale - there's a Crazy Penis remix and how can anybody deny a tune that's had a Crazy Penis remix?!
Martyn Bennett - love the Danny MacAskill video - all of them in fact - they all use music brilliantly - great track
S
Put my 'possibles' list onto shuffle and went with the first five it played...
Bubble Club - been on my possibles list for four and a half years and listening now I can only apologise for not picking it sooner - utter bliss...
Turtle - only been on possibles since January when it was released - I'm a sucker for a breakbeat and synthy sweeps...
Home Video - could've gone with the original as that is also on the possibles list but the laptop picked the Sasha remix - every time I play this the vocal melody stays in my head for days
Essay - another Essay tune, following up Hodgson's use of 'Morning Mountain' on his last outing - been a possible since last August - pretty much me in a current musical nutshell
Barry Jamieson - geezer did a lot of studio engineering for Sasha over the years - the original is ok but this Shiloh remix is utter, Underworld flavoured, filth...
x
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
DHS 12 - Part 15 (D)
Good morning gents, a very fine hello from the sunny Wiltshire countryside. The sheep are bleating, the cows are moo-ing and my legs have just about recovered from the half-marathon on Sunday. So all is well, and I've even got a beard these days. It's a bit ginger but not everyone can have a Jedinak of a beard and that's the way it goes. Needs a trim actually. Anyway, my thanks as ever for your selections of aural pleasure...
K
'Touch of Magic' - I can see why it's so popular Kev, lots of nice elements in this - can't really decide what kind of record it is for me, bit trippy, a lot funky and nicely melodic but that's to its credit. Superbly produced indeed, nice track. On the master list.
'Space Dancer' - Agree it's a lovely little builder, the sort of track that might take a minute or two to crawl into your consciousness but once its there it ain't shifting! Love the layered synth stabs especially and they go really well with the vocal to make an uplifting treat. Sweet.
'Captain' - I'm immediately interested by your use of the word 'burgeoning', a woefully under-used word which I fear is disappearing from our lexicon. It is indeed that, and the pay-off to the burgeon is tasty. Would be a real head-fuck at 4am if you were off your tits.
'co2o 12 mins' - is '12 mins' supposed to be part of the title?! Another epic Sully tune this one, you do like a long cut eh fella? While it's nice I think it's too long really and while I guess 6 minutes maybe couldn't convey the feeling that this does it still feels a tab overblown - maybe a 9 minuter would have done it more justice for me. Great break, but it's a long time coming...
'Klapp klapp' - this reminds me of something northern exposurey but can't quite place it. This one is just ok for me, can't fault it, just doesn't get me like the others above. But overall, a very strong selection sir.
H
'I like it' - Definitely nice beats, and the flow is ok but for me this is let down by some poor lyrics at times, which is a shame as it has some nice references to other records in the second verse for instance. Very G-funk era, but not a patch on 'Regulate' or some early snoop dogg for me.
'Film' - "double lush" eh? Can't disagree, very floaty indeed. The beginning of the piano reminds me of a cure record. It's ok but not really my bag.
'Tough Love' - I can see where the poignancy would be Hodge, this record is pretty uniquely produced too and has some similarities with young fathers who are ringing my bells at the moment (see below). Great lyrics, superbly produced and starkly original, this is a great track. On the master list.
'Morning Mountain' - What mix is this on H? Would love to hear it in a set. Love the build-up in this tune, although would have liked a bigger pay-off at the climax. Nice track.
'Red 'The Brightest'' - Can definitely see the Sasha link here, in fact it's got Sasha written all over it, I bet he's played it. A bigger tougher remix would really work for me, but it's good as it is, could be a nice mid-set groover, would definitely get the feet tapping. Nice selection Hodge.
Ok, so here's what I've got...
Johnny Cash 'God's Gonna Cut you Down'
Absolutely love this. It's so brooding, the music really conveys the meaning of the record, and the lyrics are fantastic. 'He spoke to me in a voice so sweet/ I thought I head the shuffle of angel's feet' not only does it flow and rhyme but it is in sync with the verse and it's a story in total. Genius at work.
Young Fathers 'LOW'
My love for this record knows no bounds. Completely original, superbly produced, great lyrical flow and variety in how they're delivered, a relentless hook and a build for the first 90 seconds before it properly kicks in. Play LOUD and be thankful.
Alicia Keys 'We are Here'
The tune of Morocco for me, had it on heavy rotation in the bus to the desert. AK is a constant in my opinion, quality guaranteed: nice piano hook? Check. Great voice? Check. Good lyrics? Check. Rarely fails to deliver. (Her '101' was my tune of Nepal in 2013 too)
Mint Royale 'Show Me' - Pharrell might have sold millions of records with his trite pop-friendly cut, but for me this is the happiest record I've heard in ages. Always puts me in a good mood and gets me dancing around the place. Total feelgood loveliness.
Martyn Bennett 'Blackbird' - from the Danny MacAskill video 'The Ridge' which is well worth a watch anyway, but this record appears strongly to my celtic roots I think! Love the sentiment in the lyrics (hope you boys can make them out!!) and then you have big strings and bigger drums, so what's not to like? Tune.
One love x
K
'Touch of Magic' - I can see why it's so popular Kev, lots of nice elements in this - can't really decide what kind of record it is for me, bit trippy, a lot funky and nicely melodic but that's to its credit. Superbly produced indeed, nice track. On the master list.
'Space Dancer' - Agree it's a lovely little builder, the sort of track that might take a minute or two to crawl into your consciousness but once its there it ain't shifting! Love the layered synth stabs especially and they go really well with the vocal to make an uplifting treat. Sweet.
'Captain' - I'm immediately interested by your use of the word 'burgeoning', a woefully under-used word which I fear is disappearing from our lexicon. It is indeed that, and the pay-off to the burgeon is tasty. Would be a real head-fuck at 4am if you were off your tits.
'co2o 12 mins' - is '12 mins' supposed to be part of the title?! Another epic Sully tune this one, you do like a long cut eh fella? While it's nice I think it's too long really and while I guess 6 minutes maybe couldn't convey the feeling that this does it still feels a tab overblown - maybe a 9 minuter would have done it more justice for me. Great break, but it's a long time coming...
'Klapp klapp' - this reminds me of something northern exposurey but can't quite place it. This one is just ok for me, can't fault it, just doesn't get me like the others above. But overall, a very strong selection sir.
H
'I like it' - Definitely nice beats, and the flow is ok but for me this is let down by some poor lyrics at times, which is a shame as it has some nice references to other records in the second verse for instance. Very G-funk era, but not a patch on 'Regulate' or some early snoop dogg for me.
'Film' - "double lush" eh? Can't disagree, very floaty indeed. The beginning of the piano reminds me of a cure record. It's ok but not really my bag.
'Tough Love' - I can see where the poignancy would be Hodge, this record is pretty uniquely produced too and has some similarities with young fathers who are ringing my bells at the moment (see below). Great lyrics, superbly produced and starkly original, this is a great track. On the master list.
'Morning Mountain' - What mix is this on H? Would love to hear it in a set. Love the build-up in this tune, although would have liked a bigger pay-off at the climax. Nice track.
'Red 'The Brightest'' - Can definitely see the Sasha link here, in fact it's got Sasha written all over it, I bet he's played it. A bigger tougher remix would really work for me, but it's good as it is, could be a nice mid-set groover, would definitely get the feet tapping. Nice selection Hodge.
Ok, so here's what I've got...
Johnny Cash 'God's Gonna Cut you Down'
Absolutely love this. It's so brooding, the music really conveys the meaning of the record, and the lyrics are fantastic. 'He spoke to me in a voice so sweet/ I thought I head the shuffle of angel's feet' not only does it flow and rhyme but it is in sync with the verse and it's a story in total. Genius at work.
Young Fathers 'LOW'
My love for this record knows no bounds. Completely original, superbly produced, great lyrical flow and variety in how they're delivered, a relentless hook and a build for the first 90 seconds before it properly kicks in. Play LOUD and be thankful.
Alicia Keys 'We are Here'
The tune of Morocco for me, had it on heavy rotation in the bus to the desert. AK is a constant in my opinion, quality guaranteed: nice piano hook? Check. Great voice? Check. Good lyrics? Check. Rarely fails to deliver. (Her '101' was my tune of Nepal in 2013 too)
Mint Royale 'Show Me' - Pharrell might have sold millions of records with his trite pop-friendly cut, but for me this is the happiest record I've heard in ages. Always puts me in a good mood and gets me dancing around the place. Total feelgood loveliness.
Martyn Bennett 'Blackbird' - from the Danny MacAskill video 'The Ridge' which is well worth a watch anyway, but this record appears strongly to my celtic roots I think! Love the sentiment in the lyrics (hope you boys can make them out!!) and then you have big strings and bigger drums, so what's not to like? Tune.
One love x
Sunday, 8 February 2015
DHS 12 - Part 14 (H)
Sorry. I truly am.
D
The Field - right up my street and gone into my masterlist.
Alt-J - this is all new to me but I've heard the name mentioned lots...nice stuff.
Aim - :) If we were still keeping track of points you could take one for this... when this LP came out I pretty much played it non-stop for a month...love it and still do now...The Grand Central boys knew how to churn out decent moody, melodic hip/trip-hop. Top addition.
D-O-H - absolutely bloody lovely and has been added to my low bpm playlist.
S
Touch of Magic - well this has gone down exceptionally well in our household... has had Poppy dancing along to it! Love the vocal so much.
Space Dancer and Captain - both lovely and both went straight on my masterlist, superb.
Co2o - you know my thoughts on this - one of my very fave tracks of last year.
LotI rmx - hard not to love the bass on this tune... LOVE the shimmering treble noises the most though.
I think I can be a bit guilty of not mixing it up a bit sometimes so I'm gonna try and throw some different moods/styles in for a change....some of this is real memory lane stuff for me so I'm sorry if it doesn't ring true for you.
Grand Puba - SOOOOO happy to have recently found this on Spot... I first heard this on a mix on (*cringe*) Westwood's show back in the 90's.... it was the standout track on the mix, just great beats and a quality flow.
Aphex - his new album came out and it's got some double lush stuff on it... it reminded me to go back to my uni days and dig this out.... we' be smashed, put this on repeat and just float away. one of his most accessible, melodic ditties.
Sailor & I - one of my fave tracks of last year. Without getting too deep there's some pretty poignant stuff in this lyrically... beautiful melodies and nicely produced.... interesting to have it in essentially a house music format.
John Talabot - I think this guy is easily one of my fave producers since I stopped going to clubs... the pace is a big factor but also his productions just seem to nail it every time, really crisp/attention to detail ... I love the hypnotic/acid groove in this - it's got a touch of that old Goa sound to it... beautiful top end melody.... it doesn't really go anywhere and it doesn't need to, it just chugs along and draws you in.
Essay - very, very simply:- one of the most beautiful sounding records I've heard in a long time. Thanks - and thanks for the mix it sits within.
Right crack on, D - what the f.. are you waiting for ? How long do you need to load up 5 tracks for crying out loud??
Again, Gents - I'm sorry for the hiatus.
H
D
The Field - right up my street and gone into my masterlist.
Alt-J - this is all new to me but I've heard the name mentioned lots...nice stuff.
Aim - :) If we were still keeping track of points you could take one for this... when this LP came out I pretty much played it non-stop for a month...love it and still do now...The Grand Central boys knew how to churn out decent moody, melodic hip/trip-hop. Top addition.
D-O-H - absolutely bloody lovely and has been added to my low bpm playlist.
S
Touch of Magic - well this has gone down exceptionally well in our household... has had Poppy dancing along to it! Love the vocal so much.
Space Dancer and Captain - both lovely and both went straight on my masterlist, superb.
Co2o - you know my thoughts on this - one of my very fave tracks of last year.
LotI rmx - hard not to love the bass on this tune... LOVE the shimmering treble noises the most though.
I think I can be a bit guilty of not mixing it up a bit sometimes so I'm gonna try and throw some different moods/styles in for a change....some of this is real memory lane stuff for me so I'm sorry if it doesn't ring true for you.
Grand Puba - SOOOOO happy to have recently found this on Spot... I first heard this on a mix on (*cringe*) Westwood's show back in the 90's.... it was the standout track on the mix, just great beats and a quality flow.
Aphex - his new album came out and it's got some double lush stuff on it... it reminded me to go back to my uni days and dig this out.... we' be smashed, put this on repeat and just float away. one of his most accessible, melodic ditties.
Sailor & I - one of my fave tracks of last year. Without getting too deep there's some pretty poignant stuff in this lyrically... beautiful melodies and nicely produced.... interesting to have it in essentially a house music format.
John Talabot - I think this guy is easily one of my fave producers since I stopped going to clubs... the pace is a big factor but also his productions just seem to nail it every time, really crisp/attention to detail ... I love the hypnotic/acid groove in this - it's got a touch of that old Goa sound to it... beautiful top end melody.... it doesn't really go anywhere and it doesn't need to, it just chugs along and draws you in.
Essay - very, very simply:- one of the most beautiful sounding records I've heard in a long time. Thanks - and thanks for the mix it sits within.
Right crack on, D - what the f.. are you waiting for ? How long do you need to load up 5 tracks for crying out loud??
Again, Gents - I'm sorry for the hiatus.
H
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