Messrs D&H - your attention please...
A proposal;
I think we have now proved that DHS was a decent idea and has got the legs to endure for a good while yet. But I've been thinking - is there a way to add more value to the basic idea...?
And, consequently, I'd like to make a suggestion to you both.
*drum-roll*
"DHS-LP"
Here's how I'm suggesting it;
- I create a new, distinct and seperate list, 'DHS-LP'
- it is open for one month at a time either twice or three times a year
- (either January & July, or January, May & September)
- during the month it is open we each deposit one, whole, album into the folder
- before the folder opens again (4 or 6 months) we each undertake to listen, in full, to each album posted
- albums can be, within reason, any format whatsoever that is on Spotify - i.e, artist album, 'best of', various artist compilation or DJ-mix
- (acknowledging that there are some HUGE compilations on there which would be unrealistic to listen through)
- (brief?!) reviews to be blogged on each album entered as and when the listener is inspired to do so
- that's pretty much it
So; thoughts...
S
x
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
DHS 11 - Part 1 (S)
Good work on the 'Best Of...' chaps
Choices 901-905 coming up but before them a few words about 891-900...
891-895 - H, old boy, there's not much I can say about that selection - they're all great tunes and I'm glad you love them. Really very glad.
896-900 - D, Immortal Technique & Sigur Ros need no words from me - I'm very happy you also love them. Guy J is very you - would expect you to mix with this; MJ - didn't really know the original and I'm not sure this is Nero's best work...; Emile Sande - this girl is class.
So, there you have it - short and sweet - here's 901-905;
Ok, as I explained to Duffy when we met in Brixton a while back - this DHS selection of mine has been a LONG TIME coming. I wanted to do a 'five-pick' that was simply tunes from 1983 ('ish) that are basically responsible for me being where I musically am now. It's taken a while 'cos unfortunately, great though it generally is, Spotify isn't as hot as it could be on early 80's underground New York electro.
However, sufficient have surfaced now to enable a worthwhile stab at it.
I don't remotely expect any of these to have anything like the impact on either of you as they did on me - I'd almost go so far as to say it'd be impossible. But bear with me - it's important to me that DHS gets the full breadth and depth of all of us so, without further ado; this is how I started...
Hashim - Al-Naafiysh - probably stood the test of time better than anything else - I still read now and again that this gets played today...
Newcleus - Computer Age - they at least two hits that resonated for longer than this one (Wikki-Wikki & Jam On It), but I went for this 'cos the 'futurism' of it totally enthralled me back in the day...
Information Society - Running - something of a cult record in recent years - I have the original 12" bought in import from Groove Records in Soho (in '84?) and I'm honestly not sure the purchase of a single record has ever given me greater satisfaction.
Man Parrish - Boogie Down Bronx - this is the fella that did THE best '83 Electro record ever (Hip Hop Be Bop - which is already on DHS) and this was the very different follow up - I can still rap 90% of this without thinking about it...
Double Dee & Steinski - Lesson 3 - as the title suggests this was the third, and what turned out to be final, 12" single in a series. Steinski basically took the template that Grandmaster Flash laid down with his 'Official Adventures Of...' release and went to town on it - basically set the template for MARRS/Coldcut/DJ Shadow/et al in terms of a bunch of samples all edited down into one cohesive whole. I was torn as to whether to do Lesson 1 (aka The Payoff Mix), Lesson 2 or go with 3 - obviously I've gone with 3 but the other two are on the same album as this track.
AND, as a bonus, I cannot highly enough recommend the hip-hop mix that is disc 2 of the release that the 'Lesson' tracks are on. It's fantastic.
There you have it chaps - eleven is up and running...
S
x
Choices 901-905 coming up but before them a few words about 891-900...
891-895 - H, old boy, there's not much I can say about that selection - they're all great tunes and I'm glad you love them. Really very glad.
896-900 - D, Immortal Technique & Sigur Ros need no words from me - I'm very happy you also love them. Guy J is very you - would expect you to mix with this; MJ - didn't really know the original and I'm not sure this is Nero's best work...; Emile Sande - this girl is class.
So, there you have it - short and sweet - here's 901-905;
Ok, as I explained to Duffy when we met in Brixton a while back - this DHS selection of mine has been a LONG TIME coming. I wanted to do a 'five-pick' that was simply tunes from 1983 ('ish) that are basically responsible for me being where I musically am now. It's taken a while 'cos unfortunately, great though it generally is, Spotify isn't as hot as it could be on early 80's underground New York electro.
However, sufficient have surfaced now to enable a worthwhile stab at it.
I don't remotely expect any of these to have anything like the impact on either of you as they did on me - I'd almost go so far as to say it'd be impossible. But bear with me - it's important to me that DHS gets the full breadth and depth of all of us so, without further ado; this is how I started...
Hashim - Al-Naafiysh - probably stood the test of time better than anything else - I still read now and again that this gets played today...
Newcleus - Computer Age - they at least two hits that resonated for longer than this one (Wikki-Wikki & Jam On It), but I went for this 'cos the 'futurism' of it totally enthralled me back in the day...
Information Society - Running - something of a cult record in recent years - I have the original 12" bought in import from Groove Records in Soho (in '84?) and I'm honestly not sure the purchase of a single record has ever given me greater satisfaction.
Man Parrish - Boogie Down Bronx - this is the fella that did THE best '83 Electro record ever (Hip Hop Be Bop - which is already on DHS) and this was the very different follow up - I can still rap 90% of this without thinking about it...
Double Dee & Steinski - Lesson 3 - as the title suggests this was the third, and what turned out to be final, 12" single in a series. Steinski basically took the template that Grandmaster Flash laid down with his 'Official Adventures Of...' release and went to town on it - basically set the template for MARRS/Coldcut/DJ Shadow/et al in terms of a bunch of samples all edited down into one cohesive whole. I was torn as to whether to do Lesson 1 (aka The Payoff Mix), Lesson 2 or go with 3 - obviously I've gone with 3 but the other two are on the same album as this track.
AND, as a bonus, I cannot highly enough recommend the hip-hop mix that is disc 2 of the release that the 'Lesson' tracks are on. It's fantastic.
There you have it chaps - eleven is up and running...
S
x
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Best of DHS 9 & 10 (H) & 3rd Anniversary 3
Apologies for my delay in adding - life has been getting in the way of music lately - disgraceful behaviour.
So, no messing - straight in:-
SR3 ( ) - first record of theirs I ever heard ("what's the standout piano track early on in the mix, it's utterly jaw dropping ?!" ; "I'm afraid it's time for you to listen to all the Sigur Ros albums with immediate effect, you've avoided it far too long!!"). Thanks for the intro guys.... words fail me, they really, genuinely do.
PSB - London Can Take It - Possibly the most original and diverse (yet painfully and just soul destroyingly short to the extent of, dare I say it, infuriation) record included on the lists thus far. Imagine opening a set with this tune. Banjo Rave (this is not a euphemism). Fantastic.
Bicep, Ejeca - You - Moody, deep, love the first time the vocal sample is allowed to breathe fully about half way through - the whole track then fits in to place. Very neat production indeed and one of my fave's of the year.
Guido Percich - Greenwich - I feel like I've been wrapped up and transported back to Sheffield in the late 90's; Thursday night; Orchis; too many Stella's; sweaty, packed, dark little dacefloor rammed against DJ booth; Pink Versace peaking; double nutting Benson and Hedges after forgetting already had one lit; not even on the planet.........all these memories from a record put down 2 years ago. Lush.
Maps - MD Rmx - Very difficult decision on this..... Goodbye Horses (a massively worthy tune imo) got nudged by this, but I simply couldnt ignore a tune that never fails to put a gargantuan smile on my face - quite a 'big' record considering my current leanings.... but at 4:45 I'm like a kid in a sweet shop, sh!t cliche but sadly there is no better way of describing it.
OT Quartet - HTSD - WALLOP. Hugely fond memories of school holidays - M.O.S The Annual on cassette, takes you back a wee bit, the tunes surrounding this at the back end of the mix on that tape were actually very good indeed. Cracking track.
Stupid task this last bit - I ended up being a right selfish tw@ - initially had 8 of my own in the potentials list!! Only marginally softened it by adding one track from you two on my final selection, but to be honest, this is best of and these are worthy additions IMO...
Liquid - safe to say this is one of the tracks that hugely increased my love of all things dance/rave back in the early 90s (92?!). Too many good memories to recall... Simply fantastic rave break, melody and vocal sample.
Animal collective - to be honest this blew past me first go round.... Then it cropped up in a playlist elsewhere and I recognised it... Then it came on as I was drifting off once and I was sold. Totally addictive, cool production, slightly unusual beat programming and a welcome addition due to its quirky nature.
Midnight Juggernaughts M83 rmx - many reasons for choosing this, primarily it is one of the best examples of a remix that I know of in recent years... The original is upbeat synth house pop rock (yes sadly this genre exists)... How did your man come up with this interpretation, I ask you?! I don't care, it's totally lush and one of my favourite things he's done (which is praise indeed considering all his beautiful work on original artist LPs)... Secondly but equally important; the vast majority of the M83 back catalogue is unavailable on Spot (Close Your Eyelids... Tragically unavailable) and so I really felt strongly that this guys moody melodic influence, not to mention distinct production, should be included where possible.
Go forth, Mr S.... #11 is calling....
H
So, no messing - straight in:-
SR3 ( ) - first record of theirs I ever heard ("what's the standout piano track early on in the mix, it's utterly jaw dropping ?!" ; "I'm afraid it's time for you to listen to all the Sigur Ros albums with immediate effect, you've avoided it far too long!!"). Thanks for the intro guys.... words fail me, they really, genuinely do.
PSB - London Can Take It - Possibly the most original and diverse (yet painfully and just soul destroyingly short to the extent of, dare I say it, infuriation) record included on the lists thus far. Imagine opening a set with this tune. Banjo Rave (this is not a euphemism). Fantastic.
Bicep, Ejeca - You - Moody, deep, love the first time the vocal sample is allowed to breathe fully about half way through - the whole track then fits in to place. Very neat production indeed and one of my fave's of the year.
Guido Percich - Greenwich - I feel like I've been wrapped up and transported back to Sheffield in the late 90's; Thursday night; Orchis; too many Stella's; sweaty, packed, dark little dacefloor rammed against DJ booth; Pink Versace peaking; double nutting Benson and Hedges after forgetting already had one lit; not even on the planet.........all these memories from a record put down 2 years ago. Lush.
Maps - MD Rmx - Very difficult decision on this..... Goodbye Horses (a massively worthy tune imo) got nudged by this, but I simply couldnt ignore a tune that never fails to put a gargantuan smile on my face - quite a 'big' record considering my current leanings.... but at 4:45 I'm like a kid in a sweet shop, sh!t cliche but sadly there is no better way of describing it.
OT Quartet - HTSD - WALLOP. Hugely fond memories of school holidays - M.O.S The Annual on cassette, takes you back a wee bit, the tunes surrounding this at the back end of the mix on that tape were actually very good indeed. Cracking track.
Stupid task this last bit - I ended up being a right selfish tw@ - initially had 8 of my own in the potentials list!! Only marginally softened it by adding one track from you two on my final selection, but to be honest, this is best of and these are worthy additions IMO...
Liquid - safe to say this is one of the tracks that hugely increased my love of all things dance/rave back in the early 90s (92?!). Too many good memories to recall... Simply fantastic rave break, melody and vocal sample.
Animal collective - to be honest this blew past me first go round.... Then it cropped up in a playlist elsewhere and I recognised it... Then it came on as I was drifting off once and I was sold. Totally addictive, cool production, slightly unusual beat programming and a welcome addition due to its quirky nature.
Midnight Juggernaughts M83 rmx - many reasons for choosing this, primarily it is one of the best examples of a remix that I know of in recent years... The original is upbeat synth house pop rock (yes sadly this genre exists)... How did your man come up with this interpretation, I ask you?! I don't care, it's totally lush and one of my favourite things he's done (which is praise indeed considering all his beautiful work on original artist LPs)... Secondly but equally important; the vast majority of the M83 back catalogue is unavailable on Spot (Close Your Eyelids... Tragically unavailable) and so I really felt strongly that this guys moody melodic influence, not to mention distinct production, should be included where possible.
Go forth, Mr S.... #11 is calling....
H
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Damn...
... after all that the Yann Tiersen track is ALREADY on the The Best Of. Who knew...?!
In which case I'm replacing it with;
Bjork - Dull Flame Of Desire (Modeselektor Remix For Girls) - ironically the Remix For Boys is an absolute steaming muck-heap of an effort but if there's a better remix than the one For Girls on the whole of DHS then I challenge you to bring it to my attention.
*crosses fingers that this too isn't already on the Best Of...*
In which case I'm replacing it with;
Bjork - Dull Flame Of Desire (Modeselektor Remix For Girls) - ironically the Remix For Boys is an absolute steaming muck-heap of an effort but if there's a better remix than the one For Girls on the whole of DHS then I challenge you to bring it to my attention.
*crosses fingers that this too isn't already on the Best Of...*
Best of DHS 9 & 10 (S) & 3rd Anniversary 3
Whose ridiculous idea was this then...?!
Six of the best from the previous 180 and then any three more from the remaining 720?!
Mentalism.
So, before I go completely round the twist never to return here are my six of your best from DHS9 & 10;
Frontside - Dammerung - probably THE best tune from probably THE best commercial mix CD ever. It's hard to leave some tunes out during this 'Best Of' pruning but to have left this off would've been barbaric.
Underworld - Two Months Off - dropping this for the first time at Pat Goodall's i-Witness was a moment I always remember very fondly - still got absolutely no idea how I was sent the tune so far ahead of release. So simple, so compelling, so relentless, so very, very, joyful.
Carter & Swain - Believe - first heard this during a mix session at D's many years ago, during which he gave me a vinyl copy. Can genuinely say it never left my record bag and was one of the *must* finds when I 'went digital'. Just a fabulous record.
Emeli Sande - Heaven - to be honest you could play pretty much anything over a loop of THAT drum break and I'd be in raptures. But to add in some nice lyrics, a BIG voice and some gorgeous strings well, I never stood a chance really.
Fun - We Are Young - from the moment daughter asked me to get this onto her phone for her I was hooked. Not sure why but it would never have occurred to me to sling it on DHS so I was mightily pleased when one of you did. Feel a slight fraud when I'm belting out the chorus but I simply ain't bothered innit.
Underworld - And I Will Kiss - What an amazing few moments they were - the gaze of the entire planet focused on London and out come Underworld with the most epic thing they've ever done - and while the rest of the world marvelled at the unfolding spectacle those of us who instantly 'got it' were just blown to bits. I just want to drink beer now for two hours whilst listening to H tell me all about it - get it in the diary sunshine...
So there you go - my six of the best of the previous 180. Wasn't easy but I'm 95% happy with them - although in moments of uncertainty I think about changing one or more of them for; Moby's OMD remix, Song To The Siren, the Djinxx remix of Steve Mills and PM Dawn. But, no - I'm happy with them as they are and that is that.
So - three more from anywhere?! After being initially mithered I hit upon a method; stick on Total DHS, put it on random play, keep clicking fast forward to the next track after 20 seconds writing down those that 'jump out' - stop when writing when ten are listed - whittle down to three. So based on that, and that alone;
Band of Horses - The Funeral - a more 'unlike me' song you'd struggle to find but there's something about it - I literally couldn't tell you what it is but there's something...
Yann Tierson - Comptine d'un autr ete, l'apres midi - one of the very best examples of the brilliance of DHS, without which I would never have heard this.
FSoL - Papua New Guinea - we can't really expect to have a 'Best Of' list and then not include this, surely?!
Onwards...
x
Six of the best from the previous 180 and then any three more from the remaining 720?!
Mentalism.
So, before I go completely round the twist never to return here are my six of your best from DHS9 & 10;
Frontside - Dammerung - probably THE best tune from probably THE best commercial mix CD ever. It's hard to leave some tunes out during this 'Best Of' pruning but to have left this off would've been barbaric.
Underworld - Two Months Off - dropping this for the first time at Pat Goodall's i-Witness was a moment I always remember very fondly - still got absolutely no idea how I was sent the tune so far ahead of release. So simple, so compelling, so relentless, so very, very, joyful.
Carter & Swain - Believe - first heard this during a mix session at D's many years ago, during which he gave me a vinyl copy. Can genuinely say it never left my record bag and was one of the *must* finds when I 'went digital'. Just a fabulous record.
Emeli Sande - Heaven - to be honest you could play pretty much anything over a loop of THAT drum break and I'd be in raptures. But to add in some nice lyrics, a BIG voice and some gorgeous strings well, I never stood a chance really.
Fun - We Are Young - from the moment daughter asked me to get this onto her phone for her I was hooked. Not sure why but it would never have occurred to me to sling it on DHS so I was mightily pleased when one of you did. Feel a slight fraud when I'm belting out the chorus but I simply ain't bothered innit.
Underworld - And I Will Kiss - What an amazing few moments they were - the gaze of the entire planet focused on London and out come Underworld with the most epic thing they've ever done - and while the rest of the world marvelled at the unfolding spectacle those of us who instantly 'got it' were just blown to bits. I just want to drink beer now for two hours whilst listening to H tell me all about it - get it in the diary sunshine...
So there you go - my six of the best of the previous 180. Wasn't easy but I'm 95% happy with them - although in moments of uncertainty I think about changing one or more of them for; Moby's OMD remix, Song To The Siren, the Djinxx remix of Steve Mills and PM Dawn. But, no - I'm happy with them as they are and that is that.
So - three more from anywhere?! After being initially mithered I hit upon a method; stick on Total DHS, put it on random play, keep clicking fast forward to the next track after 20 seconds writing down those that 'jump out' - stop when writing when ten are listed - whittle down to three. So based on that, and that alone;
Band of Horses - The Funeral - a more 'unlike me' song you'd struggle to find but there's something about it - I literally couldn't tell you what it is but there's something...
Yann Tierson - Comptine d'un autr ete, l'apres midi - one of the very best examples of the brilliance of DHS, without which I would never have heard this.
FSoL - Papua New Guinea - we can't really expect to have a 'Best Of' list and then not include this, surely?!
Onwards...
x
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Best of DHS 9 & 10 (D) & 3rd Anniversary 3
Well I figured it was high time that we had these best of selections on here to be honest so I am beginning that trend that hopefully you biys will feel minded to follow. Ive loved the best of process, as it gives me a chance to re-visit some too hastily discarded and cast another ear over 120 tracks once more. Tremendous.
Its been a hard decision, which was 28 after the initial cull and has been quite difficult even fromt here. As I type, its still 13 left to go. I now have no idea whos they are so its completely random, so if one of you had all 6 then thats the way it is, no politics or making sure its 3/3 !
So going through the 13 remaining roughly in order of how much Ive played them and how I couldnt bear to leave them out, it is:
Dammerung - The Return
Staggeringly beautiful piano work, really moving piece of music.
Harder than you think
Damn this track got me, initially I didnt like it, especially the repetitive flavour flav - but those huge chords and some killer Chuck D lyrics got me hooked and its been on my fave list almost non-stop since it was added.
Jar of Hearts
I have to fess up - I utterly love this record, even if the ocean sessions version does it slightly better for me with the vocal. Builds and builds making great use of a strong voice and a simple piano and the crescendo with the change of lyrics just lets you feel the passion - this was definiately written about someone in particular. FACT as hodge would say...
Lie Down in Darkness (Photek Remix)
Its just bloody huge isnt it ? Taken an inauspicious original and turned it up to 11, making full use of the Moby strings with some fuck off beats and brilliant arrangement. Again this hasnt been off my playlist since it was added. Monster.
Pure & Easy
This is dripping with funk isnt it ? Such a happy, groovy record, I dont think its possible to love music and not love this record. Wonderful.
Distant Shores
Massive, massive prog record this one that ticks all the boxes for me - one day I will layer this at both ends with the perfect accompanying tracks as it deserves supporting acts. I could get lost in this record - it has it all, great riff, wonderful strings, top arrangement. Tremendous.
Shouts out to 8th Wonder, Heaven, Song to the Siren, Aviator, Paper Planes and Opus.
Amazingly we cleared 3 years at the end of July since this wonderful idea began and somehow we have to pick 3 tracks from ANYWHERE to add to the list. That like trying to select the best 3 pieces of hay from a haystack. Tough one. So I just plunged in and picked some at random.
Baunz - 'Let me Feel - Ejeca Remix'
Largely because I really needed to pick 7 records for 9 & 10 and I couldnt separate this and the Dundov track. The break is ridculous and rather unexpected. Love it.
Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg - 'Still D.R.E.'
Because quite simply, one of the greatest hip-hop records of all time just cannot be in there.
Tori Amos - 'Precious Things'
Great lyrics, great song, you can tell she means it. Love the live version with the crowd and of course that famous piano. Tune.
One Love
Its been a hard decision, which was 28 after the initial cull and has been quite difficult even fromt here. As I type, its still 13 left to go. I now have no idea whos they are so its completely random, so if one of you had all 6 then thats the way it is, no politics or making sure its 3/3 !
So going through the 13 remaining roughly in order of how much Ive played them and how I couldnt bear to leave them out, it is:
Dammerung - The Return
Staggeringly beautiful piano work, really moving piece of music.
Harder than you think
Damn this track got me, initially I didnt like it, especially the repetitive flavour flav - but those huge chords and some killer Chuck D lyrics got me hooked and its been on my fave list almost non-stop since it was added.
Jar of Hearts
I have to fess up - I utterly love this record, even if the ocean sessions version does it slightly better for me with the vocal. Builds and builds making great use of a strong voice and a simple piano and the crescendo with the change of lyrics just lets you feel the passion - this was definiately written about someone in particular. FACT as hodge would say...
Lie Down in Darkness (Photek Remix)
Its just bloody huge isnt it ? Taken an inauspicious original and turned it up to 11, making full use of the Moby strings with some fuck off beats and brilliant arrangement. Again this hasnt been off my playlist since it was added. Monster.
Pure & Easy
This is dripping with funk isnt it ? Such a happy, groovy record, I dont think its possible to love music and not love this record. Wonderful.
Distant Shores
Massive, massive prog record this one that ticks all the boxes for me - one day I will layer this at both ends with the perfect accompanying tracks as it deserves supporting acts. I could get lost in this record - it has it all, great riff, wonderful strings, top arrangement. Tremendous.
Shouts out to 8th Wonder, Heaven, Song to the Siren, Aviator, Paper Planes and Opus.
Amazingly we cleared 3 years at the end of July since this wonderful idea began and somehow we have to pick 3 tracks from ANYWHERE to add to the list. That like trying to select the best 3 pieces of hay from a haystack. Tough one. So I just plunged in and picked some at random.
Baunz - 'Let me Feel - Ejeca Remix'
Largely because I really needed to pick 7 records for 9 & 10 and I couldnt separate this and the Dundov track. The break is ridculous and rather unexpected. Love it.
Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg - 'Still D.R.E.'
Because quite simply, one of the greatest hip-hop records of all time just cannot be in there.
Tori Amos - 'Precious Things'
Great lyrics, great song, you can tell she means it. Love the live version with the crowd and of course that famous piano. Tune.
One Love
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
DHS 10 - Part 18 (D)
Alright already ! What is with all this 'short and sweet as I can make it' and 'I really did try and keep this short' nonsense ?! You two need to revel in the written word I feel. Sometimes some extra perspective or a bit of a preamble make for a better read I always find, although whether that is the case here I'll let you be the judge of. I do like a word or two as we know, and as the propensity for me to ramble on could hit at any time I'd better leave some room for that later and get a crack on with the job at hand for the final time in DHS 10...
Sully:
MacArthur Park - is this a piss-take ? The lyrics are just non-sensical, and you say Diana Ross covered it... surely a jest, there is literally no way I can imagine her singing those words. Is this really in your top ten or is this entire selection a piss-take ? You strange, strange man....
If You Could Read My Mind - Disco has to be very good to get me interested im afraid and this just isnt, some of the strings and the piano are ok, but the rest just leaves me fairly cold.
Helplessly - Now this is much much better, definitely a good disco record - great arrangement, especially the vocals - the bridge is top-notch and there is plenty of variation. Great voice too. Good shit.
May I - Hmmm, can see why its never really made it onto your lists, there isnt really much to it is there ? I know you like stuff like this, but I dont really get why. There's nothing wrong with it, but it just doesnt register with me at all.
Spake Katzle - This is easily your best selection this time for me, straight on my list and many listens it has had too. Totally agree with all your comments and I would play this no problem - top tune.
Hodge:
Here Comes the Sun - wow this is pretty deep deep house isnt it ? Like it, has a real atmosphere to it and in the right circumstance would really work well.
Sweet Lies - I have to admit Hodge, your desire to deconstruct things and understand how / why they work loses me at times - you do it a lot with films as well as music. Its just a difference of course, but I never concern myself with the why, just whether or not it does. This is ok for me, I would lose the vocal and that riff gets annoying after a while. Nice strings though. And as for all that other mullarkey, well I'll take your word for it fella...
A Very Different World - This has got Funk D'Void stamped all over it in big letters hasnt it ? Good tune that really comes into its own in the final third, especially with the drop after the break, which is pretty ace in itself.
Opus - Well I certainly cant improve on your description Hodge old boy. The best of your bunch for me (I do enjoy a good string) and it certainly has a moment or two in it. Epic and beautiful.
1000 Lords - Ridiculously huge. Ridiculously. Devastation on any dancefloor if played at the right time - I seem to recall this had people dancing on the tables at Inigo didnt it Kev ? Immense.
A special doff of the cap for a special homage to our creator and founder Ron L... (sorry, wrong meeting) Guru Kev. Very nice and sealed the deal on something very similar I am now going to do, beginning and ending with tracks from the man like Sully:
Immortal Technique 'Dance with the Devil'
I was round at Sully's place and he was playing some hip hop tunes and Ashleigh was knocking about, then told me he had a tune to play me but had to wait until Ash went out - I asked why as there were plenty of f-bombs coming out from the stereo to Ash's ears as it was. Then he played this. Could well be the darkest record ever cut. Lovely use of the tune and some great story-telling, and some decent rhymes. The bit at the end with the reprise is nonsense though. Seminal otherwise.
Guy J 'Lost & Found (Sahar Z& Guy Mantzur remix)'
Finally I can get into this dude, needed a remix to do it though. Much better than the original to these ears, the main part from around 4:40 being the money shot as it were. Its on TOTO2 and is a great builder for a certain kind of mood, with more oomph than the original.
Michael Jackson 'Speed Demon (Nero Remix)'
This is a really good remix of a tune I never thought much of, and neither can I find much by Nero I like either. I'd imagine you really need to know the original to get it, and still might not like it anyway but I really do and its a top bit of a production for my money. Totally marmite.
Emily Sande 'Read All About It, Pt III'
Oh my, what a voice, and this is where it is best used, in a ballad with some amazing lyrics. The piano reminds me of Timbaland's 'Apologize' which is very good, but this is much better. This girl has something special I reckon.
Sigur Ros 'Untitled #3'
Not enough Sigur Ros you say Kev, well best I end with the first Sigur record you ever played me, as part of your 5 track mix for the bedrock board way back when - that had Jenny Miller (Newland) saying it had made her cry on the tube. There is something so simple and so pure about this record. I must have heard this 100+ times easily and like DHS it never diminishes.
To you both my sincere musical respect. Three years, four months and nine hundred records later. That really is quite something and every new update is always among the best emails I ever get.
One Love
Sully:
MacArthur Park - is this a piss-take ? The lyrics are just non-sensical, and you say Diana Ross covered it... surely a jest, there is literally no way I can imagine her singing those words. Is this really in your top ten or is this entire selection a piss-take ? You strange, strange man....
If You Could Read My Mind - Disco has to be very good to get me interested im afraid and this just isnt, some of the strings and the piano are ok, but the rest just leaves me fairly cold.
Helplessly - Now this is much much better, definitely a good disco record - great arrangement, especially the vocals - the bridge is top-notch and there is plenty of variation. Great voice too. Good shit.
May I - Hmmm, can see why its never really made it onto your lists, there isnt really much to it is there ? I know you like stuff like this, but I dont really get why. There's nothing wrong with it, but it just doesnt register with me at all.
Spake Katzle - This is easily your best selection this time for me, straight on my list and many listens it has had too. Totally agree with all your comments and I would play this no problem - top tune.
Hodge:
Here Comes the Sun - wow this is pretty deep deep house isnt it ? Like it, has a real atmosphere to it and in the right circumstance would really work well.
Sweet Lies - I have to admit Hodge, your desire to deconstruct things and understand how / why they work loses me at times - you do it a lot with films as well as music. Its just a difference of course, but I never concern myself with the why, just whether or not it does. This is ok for me, I would lose the vocal and that riff gets annoying after a while. Nice strings though. And as for all that other mullarkey, well I'll take your word for it fella...
A Very Different World - This has got Funk D'Void stamped all over it in big letters hasnt it ? Good tune that really comes into its own in the final third, especially with the drop after the break, which is pretty ace in itself.
Opus - Well I certainly cant improve on your description Hodge old boy. The best of your bunch for me (I do enjoy a good string) and it certainly has a moment or two in it. Epic and beautiful.
1000 Lords - Ridiculously huge. Ridiculously. Devastation on any dancefloor if played at the right time - I seem to recall this had people dancing on the tables at Inigo didnt it Kev ? Immense.
A special doff of the cap for a special homage to our creator and founder Ron L... (sorry, wrong meeting) Guru Kev. Very nice and sealed the deal on something very similar I am now going to do, beginning and ending with tracks from the man like Sully:
Immortal Technique 'Dance with the Devil'
I was round at Sully's place and he was playing some hip hop tunes and Ashleigh was knocking about, then told me he had a tune to play me but had to wait until Ash went out - I asked why as there were plenty of f-bombs coming out from the stereo to Ash's ears as it was. Then he played this. Could well be the darkest record ever cut. Lovely use of the tune and some great story-telling, and some decent rhymes. The bit at the end with the reprise is nonsense though. Seminal otherwise.
Guy J 'Lost & Found (Sahar Z& Guy Mantzur remix)'
Finally I can get into this dude, needed a remix to do it though. Much better than the original to these ears, the main part from around 4:40 being the money shot as it were. Its on TOTO2 and is a great builder for a certain kind of mood, with more oomph than the original.
Michael Jackson 'Speed Demon (Nero Remix)'
This is a really good remix of a tune I never thought much of, and neither can I find much by Nero I like either. I'd imagine you really need to know the original to get it, and still might not like it anyway but I really do and its a top bit of a production for my money. Totally marmite.
Emily Sande 'Read All About It, Pt III'
Oh my, what a voice, and this is where it is best used, in a ballad with some amazing lyrics. The piano reminds me of Timbaland's 'Apologize' which is very good, but this is much better. This girl has something special I reckon.
Sigur Ros 'Untitled #3'
Not enough Sigur Ros you say Kev, well best I end with the first Sigur record you ever played me, as part of your 5 track mix for the bedrock board way back when - that had Jenny Miller (Newland) saying it had made her cry on the tube. There is something so simple and so pure about this record. I must have heard this 100+ times easily and like DHS it never diminishes.
To you both my sincere musical respect. Three years, four months and nine hundred records later. That really is quite something and every new update is always among the best emails I ever get.
One Love
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