Evening all,
I'm trying my best to squeeze this update in, as of course my daughter takes up a lot of time. I begrudge her none of it and it's an absolute pleasure but time on the internet has been severely curtailed. I've also only seen 3 euro games and only the odd highlight here and there, although I'm actually enjoying ignoring England!
My selection, when I get to it, is very much a second choice offering. Because what I would have liked to add would be a tribute to Prince as I have been a massive fan of his since the end of the 80's I think. He faded away pretty much after the Gold album (about 94 / 95) in my opinion, but some of the albums before then were incredible and his 'best of' stands up next to anyone. The man was simply a genius - incredibly talented and utterly unique. Some of the lyrics of his songs are genius - especially 'u got the look' when he was at his pomp on the sign o' the times album. Clever, quirky, humorous and telling a story while belting out a killer tune. There are many more of course - LRC, Raspberry Beret, Sign o The Times, Starfish & Coffee, Gold to name just a very few. I was fortunate enough to see him at Earl's Court in 1994 and it was utterly brilliant. He made several great albums; Under the Cherry Moon / Parade (Kiss, Sometimes it Snows in April), Around the World in a Day (Condition of the Heart, Raspberry Beret), 1999 (1999, Little Red Corvette), Sign 'O the Times (all of them!), Lovesexy (Alphabet Street, When 2 r in Love, Glam Slam), Diamonds & Pearls (Walk Don't Walk, Diamonds & Pearls), The Gold album (Gold, Most Beautiful Girl in the World).
I first got into me when someone lent me his lovesexy live video and I was hooked. You can sample exactly why he was so good live here but the talent, artistry and showmanship are something else. I'm very fortunate to have the whole thing on DVD, as it also contains this. Apparently Eric Clapton at his peak was asked 'what's it like to be the best guitar player in the world?' and he replied, 'I don't know - ask Prince.' Indeed. One of a kind. RIP. Some more Prince tunes will be added if I ever can on spot...
So to your selections:
S
Unputdownable - Love everything about this it's just a wonderful house record. Great melody, brilliant arrangement and production - top vocals that absolutely complement the tune. Would love to hear this somewhere big. Fantastic production and a great selection. On to the list!
Enchante - Christ what a builder this is, just gets bigger and bigger and is wonderfully layered. Top drawer production as the melodies are like hand in glove they fit so well, and the looped vocal stab really works well. Great strings and breaks finishing it off. Belter. On the list too!
Pine - There really are no words that will do this justice. Must have heard this 50 times and it still gets me. It's transcendental, on a higher plane. It's why we have dance music and music at all. Goes past the ears, via the brain and touches something deep within you. I could laugh, I could cry, but mostly I just rejoice. Not sure I could not be overwhelmed if I heard this while on one. This is love in prog music form - the only thing that remotely comes close to how I feel when I look at my daughter. Utterly immense.
Claim of Planet Earth - I'm sorry mate but I really don't like this at all. It's really melancholy and makes me feel the exact opposite of pine!
Parallaxis - this is ok but nothing more than that, a real laid back house vibe that's nice for some sunny afternoon relaxing.
The first 3 tracks are so good mate that they carry this as one of your best ever selections for me - nice one!
H
View2 - Very nice track, Sasha really likes the downtempo track in his own productions doesn't he, but this also has a grander feel in places. Lovely keys and melody. Easy to get lost in, what I believe you chaps might call 'Lush'. On the list.
Genshi - this is wonderful - the insistent snare all the way through it really adds to the melodies and gives them more urgency and it's just a beautiful track, simple yet effective. On the list!
Last Train to Lhasa - It's on Northern Exposure is all you really need to know.
Run - This is a good track, no mistake, but I can't help feeling it doesn't match the build up each time - I expect something bigger, like the track will really explode. I know I'm being picky here - after all it's a solid tune, good even, but after the builds I felt a little deflated!
Razor 2.0 - This track sounds really dated to me, is it? Like it has elements of New York garage in it - the vocal snippets in the background for one, the synth keys for two and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, the whole track just feels a bit middle of the road, house by numbers. Didn't really like it.
Another strong selection Mr Hodgson!
As Prince is not currently available (in many ways!) and I've been banging on about 6 music, here's a selection of tracks I've heard from there that I sought out:
I'm only actually going to say 2 things about my 5.
1) I've known since '88 that the 'original' you've got the love was known as 'erins bootleg mix' and for my shame I never knew why. Now I do.
2) If you find a funkier, more soulful track than 'aint it a sin' this year I'll eat my hat. WHAT a bassline!
Isn't she lovely...
One Love
