For the last little while I've been thinking there was a DHS update due and I just finally got around to checking who's turn it is and it turns out it's mine - apologies...
No time right now to write anything further - just to say I've loaded the top five from my possibles list - more to follow at some stage...
S
x
Friday, 14 October 2016
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
DHS 13 - Part 9 (D)
Afternoon all - the demands of fatherhood mean that for once, I'm going to keep this mercifully short.
S
The Pop Kids - not for me
Inner Sanctum - It's cafe del mar meets age of love! Not a bad tune but not a fan of the lyrics, a bit too kitsch for me.
Moving on - Wonderful song, especially if you've watched the video. Great melodies and hooks as you'd expect from James - proper uplifting business - onto the master list.
Curse Curse - Another big anthemic tune from James - more good stuff
Winter's Eve - Taking it down several notches, this is a lovely tune but that you'd need to be in the right mood for. Reminds me of Shane McGowan.
H
Native Riddim - who doesn't like a piano with a 'yeah y'all' loop? The spoken word was surprising but gives it a more thoughtful vibe. Nice.
Ancient Lake - top tune that really grows into itself, it was only about halfway through that I thought I might like it.
Higher Level - Simple and very effective, love that hook.
Nothing - Nice production skills on display, it all rests on whether you like the treatment of the vocal I think, and I'm not sure about it. Good track for a deep mix.
Universal Love - hammered the shit out of this at the end of the 90's. Dated a bit but the quality shines through.
D
Some housey business from me:
Rampa - 'My Life'
Matthias Meyer - 'Uluwatu'
Matthias Meyer - 'Becuz' (not sure about the Hammond Organ-esque slide but the rest is top drawer)
Mind Against & Somne - 'Vertere'
Alex Niggemann - 'Siyawa'
S
The Pop Kids - not for me
Inner Sanctum - It's cafe del mar meets age of love! Not a bad tune but not a fan of the lyrics, a bit too kitsch for me.
Moving on - Wonderful song, especially if you've watched the video. Great melodies and hooks as you'd expect from James - proper uplifting business - onto the master list.
Curse Curse - Another big anthemic tune from James - more good stuff
Winter's Eve - Taking it down several notches, this is a lovely tune but that you'd need to be in the right mood for. Reminds me of Shane McGowan.
H
Native Riddim - who doesn't like a piano with a 'yeah y'all' loop? The spoken word was surprising but gives it a more thoughtful vibe. Nice.
Ancient Lake - top tune that really grows into itself, it was only about halfway through that I thought I might like it.
Higher Level - Simple and very effective, love that hook.
Nothing - Nice production skills on display, it all rests on whether you like the treatment of the vocal I think, and I'm not sure about it. Good track for a deep mix.
Universal Love - hammered the shit out of this at the end of the 90's. Dated a bit but the quality shines through.
D
Some housey business from me:
Rampa - 'My Life'
Matthias Meyer - 'Uluwatu'
Matthias Meyer - 'Becuz' (not sure about the Hammond Organ-esque slide but the rest is top drawer)
Mind Against & Somne - 'Vertere'
Alex Niggemann - 'Siyawa'
Monday, 4 July 2016
DHS 13 - Part 7 (S)
H's five;
Sasha - just beautiful - I love the man
Susumu Yokota - lovely tune
Banco de Gaia - legendary status and fully deserving of it
Tourist - decent enough
Chris Malinchak - not sure it's available on Spot any more but it's a nice tune - almost got something of the original 'Last Rhythm' about it...
D's five;
Mystery Jets - interesting - I've put the album on my phone to listen to in the car - thanks
Charles Bradley - geezer's got a great voice but I don't think this song is for me
Frankie Knuckles - one of the best things to ever happen to DHS
Holy Ghost - I've heard a lot about this lot and not sure I've ever actually listened to anything by them before now - not 100% sure what to make of this track - need to put it in the context of an album - will have to put the whole thing on my phone...
Everything Everything - crazy lyric - quirky music - I like it
S's five;
The 'theme' of my selection, if there actually is one, could be described as 'new music from people who made their names decades ago'...
The Pet Shop Boys - two tunes from their latest album - and each one pays a proper homage to some classic dance records - listening to the chorus of 'Pop Kids' and I can hear the piano from Bizarre Inc's 'Playing With Knives' and 'Inner Sanctum' borrows massively from the classic Age of Love by Age of Love. No one does electronic pop better than the PSB's.
James - the same band that did 'Sit Down' and 'Come Home' at the end of the '80s and early '90s - two tracks from their latest album - 'Moving On' has an accompanying video that is genuinely one of the best music videos I've ever watched - makes me well up even remembering it - beautiful. 'Curse Curse' is a joyful, uplifting, piece of indie-dance heavily loaded with double-entendre and a name check for Lionel Messi.
Ben Watt - the guy who was the music behind Everything But The Girl in the '80s and then went on to run the phenomenal 'Buzzin Fly' record label and DJ all over the globe - he's gone back to where he started and has put out a couple of albums of him singing his own songs - I originally wanted to pick 'Young Man's Game', from his previous album, which is his lament for his own DJing career, but it's weirdly unavailable as I type this so instead I've gone with 'Winter's Eve' which is probably my favourite track off his latest album.
Outta here...
x
Sasha - just beautiful - I love the man
Susumu Yokota - lovely tune
Banco de Gaia - legendary status and fully deserving of it
Tourist - decent enough
Chris Malinchak - not sure it's available on Spot any more but it's a nice tune - almost got something of the original 'Last Rhythm' about it...
D's five;
Mystery Jets - interesting - I've put the album on my phone to listen to in the car - thanks
Charles Bradley - geezer's got a great voice but I don't think this song is for me
Frankie Knuckles - one of the best things to ever happen to DHS
Holy Ghost - I've heard a lot about this lot and not sure I've ever actually listened to anything by them before now - not 100% sure what to make of this track - need to put it in the context of an album - will have to put the whole thing on my phone...
Everything Everything - crazy lyric - quirky music - I like it
S's five;
The 'theme' of my selection, if there actually is one, could be described as 'new music from people who made their names decades ago'...
The Pet Shop Boys - two tunes from their latest album - and each one pays a proper homage to some classic dance records - listening to the chorus of 'Pop Kids' and I can hear the piano from Bizarre Inc's 'Playing With Knives' and 'Inner Sanctum' borrows massively from the classic Age of Love by Age of Love. No one does electronic pop better than the PSB's.
James - the same band that did 'Sit Down' and 'Come Home' at the end of the '80s and early '90s - two tracks from their latest album - 'Moving On' has an accompanying video that is genuinely one of the best music videos I've ever watched - makes me well up even remembering it - beautiful. 'Curse Curse' is a joyful, uplifting, piece of indie-dance heavily loaded with double-entendre and a name check for Lionel Messi.
Ben Watt - the guy who was the music behind Everything But The Girl in the '80s and then went on to run the phenomenal 'Buzzin Fly' record label and DJ all over the globe - he's gone back to where he started and has put out a couple of albums of him singing his own songs - I originally wanted to pick 'Young Man's Game', from his previous album, which is his lament for his own DJing career, but it's weirdly unavailable as I type this so instead I've gone with 'Winter's Eve' which is probably my favourite track off his latest album.
Outta here...
x
Sunday, 26 June 2016
DHS 13 - Part 6 (D)
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
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
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
DHS 13 - Part 4 (S)
H's last five - The Bowie Selection
There's no point me commenting on the chosen songs themselves - they're light years beyond my critique...
I didn't know Bowie till the Let's Dance album in '83 but then, as is very often the/my way, I went backwards and liked what I heard. It was only really with the advent of internet and Spotify specifically that I ticked all my missing Bowie boxes. It got to the stage a couple of years back when he released the 'Next Day' album out of the blue that I was quite excited to hear it - and there are a couple of songs from it may well get visited in the future - and then all of a sudden in January it was a bit of a blur - there were rumours that another album had come out of nowhere - the rumours were true - the album was obtained and it was dense - it demanded concentration and listening - and before either of those could be given he was dead. It was genuinely shocking. And now listening to it it's genuinely remarkable. The man did actually turn his demise into his last artistic statement and that's an incredible thing to do.
A couple of weeks after his death I was having a meal at my Mum's and she asked me whether I thought the reaction to his death had been over-stated at all or whether it was in keeping with his stature - I answered her straight away but it took me a while to then get comfortable with what I'd said, but I am now and I stand by it - I genuinely think Bowie's death is the single biggest loss from the world of post-war British culture and I'm still not sure that the country realises what's gone - the only global losses felt as acutely would be Presley and Jackson - Bowie genuinely belongs in that company.
Only after he'd died did I learn that Rick Wakeman had played the piano on the original Life On Mars - his solo tribute, played live on Radio 2, is beautiful...
Isaac Hayes - another legendary artists that I simply don't know enough about - his version of 'Walk On By' is MASSIVE though and it's nice to see this join that and one other by him on DHS - my kind of tune
Young Fathers - I've tried five or six times with this track - I want to like it - it sounds like I should but I just can't seem to - I don't dislike it at all - frustrating track
Prodigy/Public Enemy/Manfred Mann - didn't like this at first - now I really very much do - splendid
Neuropol - Yes mate - 'liquid funk' updated-Bukem style - just an immense pleasure to listen to over and over again
Leftfield - I've tried hard on this as well - no argument that it would sound immense on a club rig but I just don't like it that much - whole album left me cold to be honest - hey-ho...
My five;
Starts off with three tunes from a recent mix I did - not particularly adventurous of me if you've heard the mix already but they were on my 'possibles' list before I did the mix so...
Roisin Murphy remix - starts off ok - vocal comes in - builds, drops, and then blossoms into a lovely, lovely thing
Laurent Garnier - this man has done some seminal records and I honestly think this is right up there with the best of them - the build, the looped vocal sample, the strings and then the keys - SO simple - so, SO, good
Kenny Leaven - Sasha dropped this in a set from Mexico that I was sad enough to be watching live online at 1am one Saturday morning in January and I genuinely stood up and raved in my living room - MASSIVE
And then two that I haven't used in a mix. Yet...
El_Txef_A - fairly recent discovery - mournful and melancholic strings set against a flat-out-classic looped breakbeat with some filthy, squelchy, acid and some ethereal voices - lovely - and then in the second half you're treated to the addition of someone reading some sort of appraisal of a passage from a James Joyce novel. Deal with it...
Efdemin - bit of a risk this one, in as much as I only discovered it today and it's squeaked in here at the expense of an absolute snorter of a tune so let's see how it goes... I'm not that familiar with Efdemin's stuff or the guy who's remixed it - Traumprinz - but on the strength of this (which was out a couple of years back) I shall be investigating a lot further - the first half is nice - 'pretty' almost - then the breakbeat kicks in and the second half is LUSH.
Man-hugs all round...
There's no point me commenting on the chosen songs themselves - they're light years beyond my critique...
I didn't know Bowie till the Let's Dance album in '83 but then, as is very often the/my way, I went backwards and liked what I heard. It was only really with the advent of internet and Spotify specifically that I ticked all my missing Bowie boxes. It got to the stage a couple of years back when he released the 'Next Day' album out of the blue that I was quite excited to hear it - and there are a couple of songs from it may well get visited in the future - and then all of a sudden in January it was a bit of a blur - there were rumours that another album had come out of nowhere - the rumours were true - the album was obtained and it was dense - it demanded concentration and listening - and before either of those could be given he was dead. It was genuinely shocking. And now listening to it it's genuinely remarkable. The man did actually turn his demise into his last artistic statement and that's an incredible thing to do.
A couple of weeks after his death I was having a meal at my Mum's and she asked me whether I thought the reaction to his death had been over-stated at all or whether it was in keeping with his stature - I answered her straight away but it took me a while to then get comfortable with what I'd said, but I am now and I stand by it - I genuinely think Bowie's death is the single biggest loss from the world of post-war British culture and I'm still not sure that the country realises what's gone - the only global losses felt as acutely would be Presley and Jackson - Bowie genuinely belongs in that company.
Only after he'd died did I learn that Rick Wakeman had played the piano on the original Life On Mars - his solo tribute, played live on Radio 2, is beautiful...
D's last five;Isaac Hayes - another legendary artists that I simply don't know enough about - his version of 'Walk On By' is MASSIVE though and it's nice to see this join that and one other by him on DHS - my kind of tune
Young Fathers - I've tried five or six times with this track - I want to like it - it sounds like I should but I just can't seem to - I don't dislike it at all - frustrating track
Prodigy/Public Enemy/Manfred Mann - didn't like this at first - now I really very much do - splendid
Neuropol - Yes mate - 'liquid funk' updated-Bukem style - just an immense pleasure to listen to over and over again
Leftfield - I've tried hard on this as well - no argument that it would sound immense on a club rig but I just don't like it that much - whole album left me cold to be honest - hey-ho...
My five;
Starts off with three tunes from a recent mix I did - not particularly adventurous of me if you've heard the mix already but they were on my 'possibles' list before I did the mix so...
Roisin Murphy remix - starts off ok - vocal comes in - builds, drops, and then blossoms into a lovely, lovely thing
Laurent Garnier - this man has done some seminal records and I honestly think this is right up there with the best of them - the build, the looped vocal sample, the strings and then the keys - SO simple - so, SO, good
Kenny Leaven - Sasha dropped this in a set from Mexico that I was sad enough to be watching live online at 1am one Saturday morning in January and I genuinely stood up and raved in my living room - MASSIVE
And then two that I haven't used in a mix. Yet...
El_Txef_A - fairly recent discovery - mournful and melancholic strings set against a flat-out-classic looped breakbeat with some filthy, squelchy, acid and some ethereal voices - lovely - and then in the second half you're treated to the addition of someone reading some sort of appraisal of a passage from a James Joyce novel. Deal with it...
Efdemin - bit of a risk this one, in as much as I only discovered it today and it's squeaked in here at the expense of an absolute snorter of a tune so let's see how it goes... I'm not that familiar with Efdemin's stuff or the guy who's remixed it - Traumprinz - but on the strength of this (which was out a couple of years back) I shall be investigating a lot further - the first half is nice - 'pretty' almost - then the breakbeat kicks in and the second half is LUSH.
Man-hugs all round...
Sunday, 21 February 2016
DHS 13 - Part 3 (D)
Evening all,
I'm very pleased to see that the life support system of DHS is still beeping and the old man is not dead yet. It seemed for a while there as if an amputation would the only thing that would allow it to carry on living, but thankfully it wasn't needed and yet he still goes on living. Some strong drugs, the right nourishment and maybe even a little exercise and who knows, there could be life in the old dog yet.
Thank you both as ever for the last selection. My thoughts firstly on what a big wanker than me (don't say it...) my call Kev's 'meditation' on love:
'Fail for you'
Being the 'broken love' portion. It's nice enough, but seems extremely personal to me. Quite clever hook I suppose, but otherwise a bit 'meh' for me. You need to be going through a break-up to really appreciate it, and then I guess it could make you fall apart!
'Breathe me'
The imploring love is beautifully handled, nice subtle voice, good lyrics and I like the rising strings to bring more drama to the record - I feel like she really is imploring. Nice Sigur Ros-esque drop too.
'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart'
Defiant love eh? This has been on my rotation for a couple of years. Great tune that to me spoke nothing of love and more of a great big fuck you. You were great, I loved you, but you left, so fuck you I'm moving on. No matter, a great record and well chosen.
'Brand New Colony'
Love as genius lyrical metaphors starts off with an intro from Super Mario Land which does not wet the palette for musical greatness. The lyrics are only decent to these ears and the cut is not really for me I'm afraid.
'Nothing Lasts Forever'
Seize the day love is a great idea, although I'm sure I've made a tit of myself with this kind of notion, but always felt ok about it. But I really like this tune, although I can't really tell you why other than the music is good and the vocal nicely understated. It's uplifting and beautifully done. Hats off.
And Hodge's Marcel Marceau tribute to David Bowie:
I've never really liked Bowie's music, even though I've really respected his originality - here was a man who was definitely doing his own thing, very successfully, and not only that he was able to reinvent himself constantly. You have to respect him if nothing else. I tried again when he died, but couldn't find anything that really vibed with me I find that I like small parts of his records but nothing more and can't stand to listen to anything more than once, which is never a good sign. So, 'Starman' I liked the riff before the chorus and the chorus itself but could take or leave the rest of it really. Same kind of thing with 'Life on Mars' there's some great double bass (I think?) in there and the lead up to the chorus and the chorus is ok. Bowie's voice is not bad but there are some unusual lyrics - I guess that was part of his thing. 'Ziggy Stardust' I'd never heard before, even if I'd heard the name, and it's just not for me. 'Changes' sounds like something I've heard before, but again it doesn't do anything for me - christ I sound like a broken record here, sorry mate! 'Space Oddity' I do know and it's easily my favourite Bowie record - probably his most well known, is that right? Certainly his most accessible. Great lyrics, beautifully sung and really tells a story and I love the arrangement of the vocals and the percussion. But I have no real idea what the point of it is! But maybe it doesn't need one...
As ever, my thanks for music I would not have otherwise heard. My offering is thus:
'Hyperbolicsyllablecsesquedalymistic' - Isaac Hayes
Piano soul of the highest order. Great soul track anyway and then the piano just takes over, drips funk and takes you away, and then there is quite the surprise... made me sit up and smile. Tune.
'Nest' Young Fathers
The boys were back last year with another album and they're really firing on all cylinders. Two or three great tracks but this is the pick of the bunch for me. Just endlessly uplifting, great vocal and a rolling riff that bumps along nicely. Big smiley track - 'baby baby'
'Shut 'em Up' - Public Enemy / The Prodigy / Manfred Mann
Well what's not to like about that line up? World class remix business.
'Mile Out' - Neuropol
Especially for you Hodge. Su and I were having the most amazing chilled weekend in a remote holiday house in Wales at the end of last year and after a great long walk to a tiny beach we came back and chilled with the fire on and listened to the radio with food, games, box sets and all that. We returned to the music late at night and this track came on and I wrote it down straight away. This is what D&B should always be like for me. Immense.
'Bad Radio' - Leftfield & Tunde Adebimpe
Just shaded out 'Universal Everything' from the new album on the strength that this tune is just fucking badass. Play it loud and blow your windows out. Imagine this in the depths of a great club at 4am when you're off your tits. Terrifying. In a good way.
As Kev so succinctly put, one love.
It's good to be back.
I'm very pleased to see that the life support system of DHS is still beeping and the old man is not dead yet. It seemed for a while there as if an amputation would the only thing that would allow it to carry on living, but thankfully it wasn't needed and yet he still goes on living. Some strong drugs, the right nourishment and maybe even a little exercise and who knows, there could be life in the old dog yet.
Thank you both as ever for the last selection. My thoughts firstly on what a big wanker than me (don't say it...) my call Kev's 'meditation' on love:
'Fail for you'
Being the 'broken love' portion. It's nice enough, but seems extremely personal to me. Quite clever hook I suppose, but otherwise a bit 'meh' for me. You need to be going through a break-up to really appreciate it, and then I guess it could make you fall apart!
'Breathe me'
The imploring love is beautifully handled, nice subtle voice, good lyrics and I like the rising strings to bring more drama to the record - I feel like she really is imploring. Nice Sigur Ros-esque drop too.
'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart'
Defiant love eh? This has been on my rotation for a couple of years. Great tune that to me spoke nothing of love and more of a great big fuck you. You were great, I loved you, but you left, so fuck you I'm moving on. No matter, a great record and well chosen.
'Brand New Colony'
Love as genius lyrical metaphors starts off with an intro from Super Mario Land which does not wet the palette for musical greatness. The lyrics are only decent to these ears and the cut is not really for me I'm afraid.
'Nothing Lasts Forever'
Seize the day love is a great idea, although I'm sure I've made a tit of myself with this kind of notion, but always felt ok about it. But I really like this tune, although I can't really tell you why other than the music is good and the vocal nicely understated. It's uplifting and beautifully done. Hats off.
And Hodge's Marcel Marceau tribute to David Bowie:
I've never really liked Bowie's music, even though I've really respected his originality - here was a man who was definitely doing his own thing, very successfully, and not only that he was able to reinvent himself constantly. You have to respect him if nothing else. I tried again when he died, but couldn't find anything that really vibed with me I find that I like small parts of his records but nothing more and can't stand to listen to anything more than once, which is never a good sign. So, 'Starman' I liked the riff before the chorus and the chorus itself but could take or leave the rest of it really. Same kind of thing with 'Life on Mars' there's some great double bass (I think?) in there and the lead up to the chorus and the chorus is ok. Bowie's voice is not bad but there are some unusual lyrics - I guess that was part of his thing. 'Ziggy Stardust' I'd never heard before, even if I'd heard the name, and it's just not for me. 'Changes' sounds like something I've heard before, but again it doesn't do anything for me - christ I sound like a broken record here, sorry mate! 'Space Oddity' I do know and it's easily my favourite Bowie record - probably his most well known, is that right? Certainly his most accessible. Great lyrics, beautifully sung and really tells a story and I love the arrangement of the vocals and the percussion. But I have no real idea what the point of it is! But maybe it doesn't need one...
As ever, my thanks for music I would not have otherwise heard. My offering is thus:
'Hyperbolicsyllablecsesquedalymistic' - Isaac Hayes
Piano soul of the highest order. Great soul track anyway and then the piano just takes over, drips funk and takes you away, and then there is quite the surprise... made me sit up and smile. Tune.
'Nest' Young Fathers
The boys were back last year with another album and they're really firing on all cylinders. Two or three great tracks but this is the pick of the bunch for me. Just endlessly uplifting, great vocal and a rolling riff that bumps along nicely. Big smiley track - 'baby baby'
'Shut 'em Up' - Public Enemy / The Prodigy / Manfred Mann
Well what's not to like about that line up? World class remix business.
'Mile Out' - Neuropol
Especially for you Hodge. Su and I were having the most amazing chilled weekend in a remote holiday house in Wales at the end of last year and after a great long walk to a tiny beach we came back and chilled with the fire on and listened to the radio with food, games, box sets and all that. We returned to the music late at night and this track came on and I wrote it down straight away. This is what D&B should always be like for me. Immense.
'Bad Radio' - Leftfield & Tunde Adebimpe
Just shaded out 'Universal Everything' from the new album on the strength that this tune is just fucking badass. Play it loud and blow your windows out. Imagine this in the depths of a great club at 4am when you're off your tits. Terrifying. In a good way.
As Kev so succinctly put, one love.
It's good to be back.
Monday, 23 November 2015
DHS 13 - Part 1 (S)
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
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
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
Friday, 28 November 2014
DHS - the lies, the damn lies and the statistics...
... well, the statistics anyway.
During a period of relative quiet for the blog I thought I'd give an update on the 'popularity' of the blog - where it's read, by how many and what the most read posts are...
(click all images to enlarge)
The Overview
Where are we read?!
Most read posts
Make of that lot what you will...
During a period of relative quiet for the blog I thought I'd give an update on the 'popularity' of the blog - where it's read, by how many and what the most read posts are...
(click all images to enlarge)
The Overview
Where are we read?!
Most read posts
Make of that lot what you will...
Monday, 15 September 2014
DHS 12 - Part 13 (S)
Straight in - no fuss, no nonsense - no unnecessary use of clichés and certainly not just typing words, haggard, for the sheer, pilfering, joy of them. Assuage.
*shakes head*
H
Etherwood, check - Talabot remix, check (Duff - I think the track this reminds you of might be by Gloworm - not sure though - I'll let you check and let us know...) - the Fort Romeau remix, ideal for 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon as you neck a cheeky half on Mambo headland in Ibiza... - Caribou - struggled with this until I heard the Mano Le Tough remix and then went back to the original and suddenly it was all there - I'm an arse like that sometimes... - Daniel Bortz, Tuff City Kids remix - yeah, I get you - it's nothing special yet it's very, VERY, good - kind of embodies a whole sound I'm really into which I can't describe very well at all - the best I can do for now is, 'the-sound-that-twelve-years-ago-and-14-bpm-faster-would've-had-you-going-mental-to-at-3am-in-Heaven-but-now-is-much-more-laid-back-maybe-'cos-we're-all-old-no-real-idea-love-it-though'. Hope that clarifies it...
D
Largely speaking all, ALL, in favour of this selection - your most obscure, esoteric and strongest for a good little while. Special nod to 'They Won't See Me' by The Field which is simply mag-nif-i-cent and has been procured for future mixing purposes (along with some very interesting remixes but I'll leave you to explore them for yourselves...). You've picked a couple of 'alt-j' tracks - by absolute coincidence they have a new album exclusively available on Spotify today! Both tracks are new to me and good - pick of the two would be 'Hunger Of The Pine' - but I shall be listening to the new album thanks to you. Aim - Demonique - really like this. Absolutely all over the place in a terrific way. Big fan. Dustin O'Halloran - there's a tradition on DHS of emotional, mournful, piano tracks and, simply, this is a worthy edition to that cannon.
S
It's been about a year now since I did a straightforward DHS selection of five bumping dance records - so that is exactly what I'm doing now...
Dr.Packer - this guy is the best 'edit' artist to emerge since Late Nite Tuff Guy a couple of years ago - his stuff is amazingly good - loads of 'edit producers' head for the classic/obvious records to rework when they want to make a name for themselves - when this guy reworks a tune it's the best version of that tune you've ever heard - consistently. This one is his best yet. Yes, it does help that I absolutely loved the original ('Magic Touch' by Loose Ends - 1984/5?) but this rehash (released this week) is going down to universal acclaim and just is very, VERY, good.
Je'Couleur - obscure track off an obscure compilation of down-tempo 'nu-disco' - it's chuggy, 'deep', (very) slow trance music as far as I'm concerned - totally hypnotic with small little elements being added just exactly where you think they should be as it ever-so-slowly builds - beautiful
H.O.S.H. & Andhim - relentless, simple, burgeoning, effective & gorgeous
Lord Of The Isles - probably my pick of all the producers I've heard over the last 12 months - and I've said so for a while now - I know Hodge has heard this before - possibly you both have - but it is without a shadow of a doubt one of the very best records of 2014 - available in a 6 minute, more dancefloor focussed, version and this, longer, more headphone friendly epic.
Little Dragon - ever since I heard the gorgeous "co20" by Lord Of The Isles (above) I've grabbed everything released with his name on it - this track simply justifies my actions...
xx
*shakes head*
H
Etherwood, check - Talabot remix, check (Duff - I think the track this reminds you of might be by Gloworm - not sure though - I'll let you check and let us know...) - the Fort Romeau remix, ideal for 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon as you neck a cheeky half on Mambo headland in Ibiza... - Caribou - struggled with this until I heard the Mano Le Tough remix and then went back to the original and suddenly it was all there - I'm an arse like that sometimes... - Daniel Bortz, Tuff City Kids remix - yeah, I get you - it's nothing special yet it's very, VERY, good - kind of embodies a whole sound I'm really into which I can't describe very well at all - the best I can do for now is, 'the-sound-that-twelve-years-ago-and-14-bpm-faster-would've-had-you-going-mental-to-at-3am-in-Heaven-but-now-is-much-more-laid-back-maybe-'cos-we're-all-old-no-real-idea-love-it-though'. Hope that clarifies it...
D
Largely speaking all, ALL, in favour of this selection - your most obscure, esoteric and strongest for a good little while. Special nod to 'They Won't See Me' by The Field which is simply mag-nif-i-cent and has been procured for future mixing purposes (along with some very interesting remixes but I'll leave you to explore them for yourselves...). You've picked a couple of 'alt-j' tracks - by absolute coincidence they have a new album exclusively available on Spotify today! Both tracks are new to me and good - pick of the two would be 'Hunger Of The Pine' - but I shall be listening to the new album thanks to you. Aim - Demonique - really like this. Absolutely all over the place in a terrific way. Big fan. Dustin O'Halloran - there's a tradition on DHS of emotional, mournful, piano tracks and, simply, this is a worthy edition to that cannon.
S
It's been about a year now since I did a straightforward DHS selection of five bumping dance records - so that is exactly what I'm doing now...
Dr.Packer - this guy is the best 'edit' artist to emerge since Late Nite Tuff Guy a couple of years ago - his stuff is amazingly good - loads of 'edit producers' head for the classic/obvious records to rework when they want to make a name for themselves - when this guy reworks a tune it's the best version of that tune you've ever heard - consistently. This one is his best yet. Yes, it does help that I absolutely loved the original ('Magic Touch' by Loose Ends - 1984/5?) but this rehash (released this week) is going down to universal acclaim and just is very, VERY, good.
Je'Couleur - obscure track off an obscure compilation of down-tempo 'nu-disco' - it's chuggy, 'deep', (very) slow trance music as far as I'm concerned - totally hypnotic with small little elements being added just exactly where you think they should be as it ever-so-slowly builds - beautiful
H.O.S.H. & Andhim - relentless, simple, burgeoning, effective & gorgeous
Lord Of The Isles - probably my pick of all the producers I've heard over the last 12 months - and I've said so for a while now - I know Hodge has heard this before - possibly you both have - but it is without a shadow of a doubt one of the very best records of 2014 - available in a 6 minute, more dancefloor focussed, version and this, longer, more headphone friendly epic.
Little Dragon - ever since I heard the gorgeous "co20" by Lord Of The Isles (above) I've grabbed everything released with his name on it - this track simply justifies my actions...
xx
Friday, 5 September 2014
DHS 12 - Part 12 (D)
And here we are again, and with echoes of ‘where’s my music
yo’ ringing in my ears I have finally managed to get around to my DHS update,
almost a month after Hodgson and with me having berated his tardiness last time
as well. Poor effort on my part. Still I’m doing all the typing during the day,
where I’m also listening to tunes so that surely has to count for something ? You’ve
gotta love that last month before redundancy eh…
Anyway, I’m back in the badlands of south London, although
to be fair no-one has been beheaded or shot dead by police down here recently
that I know of so maybe that whole south London stereotype needs to be
revisited. Peckham Rye does have 9 (count ‘em) beauty salons within the first
100 yards of the train station so that’s something to get used to, it’s a whole
different culture down here. You have to wonder why people put so much time,
effort and money into how they look, rather than who they are, but maybe that’s
just the way of the world – after all facebook is everywhere, even now in this
very room…
But that’s enough social commentary – my thanks as ever for
some wonderful music from you lads:
S
Kicking off with Domain – this is what the word lush was created
for I think – a nice representation of Canon here. Lovely.
Love Beat – that’s quite a description you’ve got there Kev.
Like with the first track it is lifted from somewhere, or more likely knowing
you this is the original use of that riff – certainly recall it in some 90’s
tune or other. Its really beautiful and yet not very uplifting for me and the
chat at the beginning is completely unnecessary I think. Nice though.
You are my sister – you’re definitely spot on about the
emotion of the delivery, that’s unquestionable for me. However this song makes
me feel uncomfortable. I really cant put my finger on why – possibly having a
sister myself I just find it too saccharine sweet and the idea of me saying
this to mine is what jars me !
Reverie – you have nailed it here Kev, this is definitely
immense. And a nice use of ‘miasma’ too. Not much more to add, a great
atmospheric record that just keeps getting better – on the master playlist.
Hold your breath – and again mate – what a vocal, great
piano and some insistent drum and bass – love it.
A really great selection there bigman, muchas gracias.
H
Etherwood rmx – really like this one too, and have to agree
this etherwood chap knows how to make a good tune ! Really works well around
the vocals, giving them centre stage. Always nice to have an enjoyable d&b
tune
Talabot remix – this reminds me of a really old record,
possibly on hooj called something like ‘lift up my cup’ or something like that.
The production is really slick, but don’t really like that tune – its what I’d
recognise as a good tune, but just not one that rocks my boat overall, even
though there are a couple of nice moments. My loss Im sure !
Fort Romeau Remix – Agree about the summery sunshine house
comment, is really very chilled and would feel just right by the beach, goes up
a notch towards the end which is always good I think. Nice piano loop too.
Caribou – you chaps may have got a hint that I really rather
like this record. A 6 music one for me (more on that below) that made me stop
what I was doing and turn it way the fuck up – cue dancing around the kitchen
and hurried search on spot, followed by some appropriate cheering when said
record was there. The climax of this record is HUGE and just keeps coming.
Would deffo be on my list of tunes of 2014. Love it.
Tuff City Kids rmx – I see what you mean about this
signifying that it was about to kick off, it really has a feel to it that you’d
know in a top dj’s set could only mean one thing. A great ‘layering’ track I
would say, in that you could have long mixes at either end of it with the right
tracks and create smooth layers of tunes (if that makes sense ?!)
Anyway, another top selection.
So one could say that I have been rather spoilt with the
latest round. However I really feel confident that I can hold my own this time,
so here goes:
The Field ‘They won’t see me’
I stumbled upon this on a random search through spot, and it
was very much an ‘interesting, interesting, very interesting…’ (its better if
you can hear Barry Davies saying it) with a crescendo of ‘oh my word you have
to say that’s magnificent’ which summed up my thoughts on it. A moody, growing,
pulsating piece of 4am drug music. Aces.
Alt-J ‘Tessellate’
This has been on my
playlist for a few months here – props to my very cool girlfriend who sent it
to me. Alt-j have their own genre as far as Im concerned, if you go through
their tunes, they are almost impossible to pigeon-hole and even just on
individual records. What is this one for example ? Haunting voal, great arrangement,
almost a dubstep beat but with no bass ?! I’ll just settle for an amazing piece
of music. And its not even their best tune…
Alt-J ‘Hunger of the Pine’
Nsafuyfsdavsasfv. Hmph. That’s me trying to convey the
brilliance and originality of this record, and failing badly. I adore this tune,
and like the above its incredibly produced in a genre all of its own. I don’t like
all of alt-j’s tracks but I will be keeping a close eye on them as when they’re
good, fuck me are they good. 6 music first brought this to my ears, god bless ‘em.
Aim ‘Demonique’
6 music again – easily the best music station around,
especially on Saturdays and especially on Huey’s lunchtime show (he of the fun
loving criminals). This was another ‘stop what Im doing’ moment, just for the
backing sample to be honest – that’s an immense backdrop. It all gets a bit
sinister with the film sample (Halloween) when I was really hoping for a great
hip-hop track after the intro. But its very original to me, and my god, that
sample and the bass riff together – huge. “We’re all afraid of the dark inside
ourselves” !
Dustin O’Halloran ‘We move lightly’
From something to dark to something oh so light. Tell me
this isn’t one of the most beautiful piano tracks you have ever heard !! It has
a gentleness that cannot be overstated, melancholy yet uplifting and obviously constructed
with tenderness and care. Adorable.
Until next time
One love
Sunday, 10 August 2014
DHS 12 Part 11 (H)
Sorry. Over a month has passed.
D
C&C - huge
Bee gees - huge
Sister sledge - HUGE
daft punk - don't even get me started on tunes off their first LP... I know they're not terribly complicated but I was 17 when that album came out and it had a massive impact on me and how my adult tastes evolved into what they are now (I'm notably talking about the chuggy disco stuff which I've loved over the last 4 or 5 years)
Morricone - I think my love for his music in the big clintwood spaghetti western trilogy is well documented. Some people don't rate the pictures but I love them.. I grew up watching them with my old man and regard them as classics. I just like listening to his best of cd/playlist... I get why they used this for dramatic effect/as an opening but the crowd stuff just bugs me... I'd rather not have to hear them!
S
Domain - beautiful... Yes it is in there for sure... Subtly done. Lush.
Love beat - painfully beautiful... The a side of this has been in my potential list for several years now
You are my sister - nicely delivered vocal as you say and fair play to him
Reverie - saw this on the forum and immediately added it to my masterlist... It is without question another of the best records from this year. STRINGS! Reminds me of that epic funk d'void remix of Vince watsons work from about three summers ago. Pure class.
Etherwood - how have I not been on this kid since his LP came out end of last year?!... Def the man of the moment for me.....
Neatly, KS' last track leads me into my next five, a small taste of my soundtrack to the summer
Etherwood Rmx - just lush... The kid is really talented with his own work and he can also tear up a remix and make it infinitely better than the source material as this shows. So lush.
Talabot Rmx - someone posted this on a (once fun and informative) music forum.. I check in from time to time and I'm glad that I do when people bother to use it for what it's meant for: sharing the great music that's out there and chatting about it.
Fort romeau Rmx - bought two or three things that fort romeau did last year... This being probably my favourite... Cracking melody, feel good, summery-sunshine house.
Caribou - back with something to challenge the uplifting melody of "Jamelia" ... Similarly I think this is crying out for someone to edit it and bolster the kick drums to make it a bit of a bigger sound. No doubt one of my faves this year though.
Tuff city kids Rmx - I CANNOT get this out of my head ... I absolutely love it and truth be told I have no idea why... I find it completely infectious, but it's not as if the bass line is exactly anything complicated... The shimmery/spectral echoey sound, simple but adds a great mood... The even love the frankly weird sounding vocal.... Digweed stuck it on the Miami compilation and I've listened to it non stop since... This is another of those tunes that if heard in a club would signify to me that it was about to step up a gear and kick off. Def a highlight for the summer.
Hope you enjoy one or two... There's lots more to add from his year, it's been a belter so far in my opinion.
K.O.K.O
H
D
C&C - huge
Bee gees - huge
Sister sledge - HUGE
daft punk - don't even get me started on tunes off their first LP... I know they're not terribly complicated but I was 17 when that album came out and it had a massive impact on me and how my adult tastes evolved into what they are now (I'm notably talking about the chuggy disco stuff which I've loved over the last 4 or 5 years)
Morricone - I think my love for his music in the big clintwood spaghetti western trilogy is well documented. Some people don't rate the pictures but I love them.. I grew up watching them with my old man and regard them as classics. I just like listening to his best of cd/playlist... I get why they used this for dramatic effect/as an opening but the crowd stuff just bugs me... I'd rather not have to hear them!
S
Domain - beautiful... Yes it is in there for sure... Subtly done. Lush.
Love beat - painfully beautiful... The a side of this has been in my potential list for several years now
You are my sister - nicely delivered vocal as you say and fair play to him
Reverie - saw this on the forum and immediately added it to my masterlist... It is without question another of the best records from this year. STRINGS! Reminds me of that epic funk d'void remix of Vince watsons work from about three summers ago. Pure class.
Etherwood - how have I not been on this kid since his LP came out end of last year?!... Def the man of the moment for me.....
Neatly, KS' last track leads me into my next five, a small taste of my soundtrack to the summer
Etherwood Rmx - just lush... The kid is really talented with his own work and he can also tear up a remix and make it infinitely better than the source material as this shows. So lush.
Talabot Rmx - someone posted this on a (once fun and informative) music forum.. I check in from time to time and I'm glad that I do when people bother to use it for what it's meant for: sharing the great music that's out there and chatting about it.
Fort romeau Rmx - bought two or three things that fort romeau did last year... This being probably my favourite... Cracking melody, feel good, summery-sunshine house.
Caribou - back with something to challenge the uplifting melody of "Jamelia" ... Similarly I think this is crying out for someone to edit it and bolster the kick drums to make it a bit of a bigger sound. No doubt one of my faves this year though.
Tuff city kids Rmx - I CANNOT get this out of my head ... I absolutely love it and truth be told I have no idea why... I find it completely infectious, but it's not as if the bass line is exactly anything complicated... The shimmery/spectral echoey sound, simple but adds a great mood... The even love the frankly weird sounding vocal.... Digweed stuck it on the Miami compilation and I've listened to it non stop since... This is another of those tunes that if heard in a club would signify to me that it was about to step up a gear and kick off. Def a highlight for the summer.
Hope you enjoy one or two... There's lots more to add from his year, it's been a belter so far in my opinion.
K.O.K.O
H
Saturday, 5 July 2014
DHS 12 - part 10 (S)
Evenings are drawing in then...
H
Joy To The World - all I can say is 'Thank You' - genuinely 'Thank you' - not so much for the introduction but for the very, very timely reminder - what a dribblingly gorgeous thing...
Broken - you're right, it sounds absolutely immaculate - was initially torn on whether I'd ever play it but I've picked the EP up and am 87/13 on the yes side so stand by your pause buttons...
Okinawa - can't fault it in any way other than that tiny 'spark' that just somehow isn't there for me
Rift Valley - (think D conflated his description of this and your description 'The End' in his last posting - maybe not - whatever...) - the fact that I pretty much built a mix around this a while back (as H alluded to) tells you what I think of this - it's beautiful. It's wonderfully, wonderfully, uplifting. It's simple as all hell but it's so, so good. What a fantastic remix. (To suggest that it takes slightly too long to get the 'money shot' and then it's over too quickly, would be churlish...)
The End - big fan of Joe T Vanelli since 20 years ago - big fan of HS82 since 3 years ago - two of them together was never going to go wrong was it... Just about as good as 'bog-standard' house music gets in 2014 - and I mean that to sound better than it comes across when you read it...
D
C&C - always uses to get this lot muddled up with Snap! - having explored both again before writing this I think Snap! just edge it for me although 'Sweat' is better than 'Ooops Up' and 'Cult Of Snap' but behind 'The Power' and 'Rhythm Is A Dancer'. There is no need at all to bring Technotronic into it at this stage...
Bee Gees - you'll never find me saying anything bad about this lot or this tune...
Sister Sledge - or this lot and this tune - although a separate exploration of the various edits/remixes of it might be interesting to pin down a collective favourite - I think this original has been bettered...
Daft Punk - I think your description was bob-on D, 'filtered summer beach fun'...
Metallica - I'm all for the crowd involvement and atmosphere but there's only room in my ears for one Metallica tune - sorry, I know that's pathetic but that's the way it is... (it's 'Nothing Else Matters' performed with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra)
S
Domain - so, we've had Pachelbel's 'Cannon' when H posted the 'original' - then I slung it up in the guise of a 90's indie band sing-a-long and now it's here again - or is it, drifting in and out between crashing wave sounds and metallic wind-charmer chimes, it's kind of there but it isn't really and yet it absolutely is - a retrospective glance back at the Future Sound of London.
Love Beat - this is the musical equivalent of meeting someone you've known for years and kind of fancied from afar but kept your 'cool' distance from because you're 'cool' right? But then suddenly you're confronted up close and personal and all pretence has gone straight out the window and you're just a gibbering wreck unable to control syllables let alone sentences as the beauty that you always knew was there is suddenly made manifest x1000 and your eyes glaze over and you don't even want to breathe anymore and then the piano kicks in and you dissolve into pointless gloop...
You Are My Sister - Boy George guests on a duet from 2005's Mercury Prize winning album - suggest you put aside the gender-bending logistics of the lyric and just wallow in the emotion of the delivery...
Reverie - every now and then a dance track leaps unheralded from the miasma surrounding it and grabs my attention. For every ten that do so there's maybe two or three that get more than one or two subsequent plays. Relatively rarely then does a track leap unheralded from the surrounding miasma, grab my attention, get played several times and then go on to be microscopically lasered into the very fabric of my musical clothing. This one did. Immense.
Hold Your Breath - piano, emotive vocal, gigantically swelling strings, thundering breakbeat, incredibly laid-back bass - repeat in various combinations - fade - genuine musical perfection
xx
H
Joy To The World - all I can say is 'Thank You' - genuinely 'Thank you' - not so much for the introduction but for the very, very timely reminder - what a dribblingly gorgeous thing...
Broken - you're right, it sounds absolutely immaculate - was initially torn on whether I'd ever play it but I've picked the EP up and am 87/13 on the yes side so stand by your pause buttons...
Okinawa - can't fault it in any way other than that tiny 'spark' that just somehow isn't there for me
Rift Valley - (think D conflated his description of this and your description 'The End' in his last posting - maybe not - whatever...) - the fact that I pretty much built a mix around this a while back (as H alluded to) tells you what I think of this - it's beautiful. It's wonderfully, wonderfully, uplifting. It's simple as all hell but it's so, so good. What a fantastic remix. (To suggest that it takes slightly too long to get the 'money shot' and then it's over too quickly, would be churlish...)
The End - big fan of Joe T Vanelli since 20 years ago - big fan of HS82 since 3 years ago - two of them together was never going to go wrong was it... Just about as good as 'bog-standard' house music gets in 2014 - and I mean that to sound better than it comes across when you read it...
D
C&C - always uses to get this lot muddled up with Snap! - having explored both again before writing this I think Snap! just edge it for me although 'Sweat' is better than 'Ooops Up' and 'Cult Of Snap' but behind 'The Power' and 'Rhythm Is A Dancer'. There is no need at all to bring Technotronic into it at this stage...
Bee Gees - you'll never find me saying anything bad about this lot or this tune...
Sister Sledge - or this lot and this tune - although a separate exploration of the various edits/remixes of it might be interesting to pin down a collective favourite - I think this original has been bettered...
Daft Punk - I think your description was bob-on D, 'filtered summer beach fun'...
Metallica - I'm all for the crowd involvement and atmosphere but there's only room in my ears for one Metallica tune - sorry, I know that's pathetic but that's the way it is... (it's 'Nothing Else Matters' performed with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra)
S
Domain - so, we've had Pachelbel's 'Cannon' when H posted the 'original' - then I slung it up in the guise of a 90's indie band sing-a-long and now it's here again - or is it, drifting in and out between crashing wave sounds and metallic wind-charmer chimes, it's kind of there but it isn't really and yet it absolutely is - a retrospective glance back at the Future Sound of London.
Love Beat - this is the musical equivalent of meeting someone you've known for years and kind of fancied from afar but kept your 'cool' distance from because you're 'cool' right? But then suddenly you're confronted up close and personal and all pretence has gone straight out the window and you're just a gibbering wreck unable to control syllables let alone sentences as the beauty that you always knew was there is suddenly made manifest x1000 and your eyes glaze over and you don't even want to breathe anymore and then the piano kicks in and you dissolve into pointless gloop...
You Are My Sister - Boy George guests on a duet from 2005's Mercury Prize winning album - suggest you put aside the gender-bending logistics of the lyric and just wallow in the emotion of the delivery...
Reverie - every now and then a dance track leaps unheralded from the miasma surrounding it and grabs my attention. For every ten that do so there's maybe two or three that get more than one or two subsequent plays. Relatively rarely then does a track leap unheralded from the surrounding miasma, grab my attention, get played several times and then go on to be microscopically lasered into the very fabric of my musical clothing. This one did. Immense.
Hold Your Breath - piano, emotive vocal, gigantically swelling strings, thundering breakbeat, incredibly laid-back bass - repeat in various combinations - fade - genuine musical perfection
xx
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