Greetings gentlemen, I thought I would post this up before I left for western shores of sunny Scotland tomorrow morning. For sunny read bastard freezing. And probably raining too. Not that I'll be going outside much... Actually Ive just checked and its much like here. Marvellous. Anyway, Sully lamented a while back that this could be the first time we did not complete an entire playlist in a year. Well Im here to tell you we will - with 13 days to spare no less. So not our most productive year of DHSing but we're ending it well. In fact you boys have ended it very well indeed...
S
Quiller - like this a lot. Samples quite a bit of the same music that was on an avalanches track but there's much more of it that the avalanches didn't use. Nicely put together - only minor gripe was the ending just plodded on with no changes for too long... cool track though
Flashlights - Is certainly an 'early on' track Kev - would work very well on a big system, does plenty without doing too much, a wicked set builder for sure. Nice.
In Order to Trance - This is a wonderful wonderful cut. Love that insistent nagging riff and then the strings building up behind it and the effects on the drum pattern really add to it. Top tune mate.
Parade - But not as top as this one, fuck me what a great tune this is. It is indeed Immense Mr Sullivan. Builds very nicely and then the money shot is great arcing lines of jism splashing across a surprised 19 year olds face. Then when you think its done, an even bigger jizz-load puts her eyes out. So to speak. Huge.
Tides - this for me is not as strong as the other tracks. Its nicely produced but has a melancholy air that Im not quite feeling (I like my melancholy mobyfied generally). Nice flow to it though.
Overall your best 5 for me for a while Kev, quality.
H
I got you - totally agree Hodge, you can very much get lost in this record, and it does have a lovely deep groove. For me needs to be played at the 'right' time for it to make sense, but its certainly a cool tune.
Ringo - Its a musical track indeed mate, really put together well. Quite light for a large part of it, and then you have the break where you think it might go big, but it doesn't need to, just keeps the melody ticking along nicely and is 'bloody lovely'. Nice.
Primative People - ha ha very nice bass squelches indeed, but my hands don't get in the air for anything less than 128bpm mate. Love the treatment of the vocal, and the little riff underneath. Ok, maybe one hand...
Gotham - talking of bass squelches... very nice indeed, and an original arrangement to these ears. A really cool tune, would be a good building record, slightly after Kevs Flashlights in a hodgivan set.
Tzycho - fuck me mate, tune of the week, narrowly beating Parade into second place. I could listen to this monster all day long and would LOVE to hear it on a huge system. Will have to find a suitable time and blast it out of the zeppelin. Headphones in the meantime will have to do. If Parade was a double jizz load then this is a bukkake. With gagging. Bet you never thought that word would appear in a DHS write up did you ? Strong selection chap, top work.
How can I get anywhere near that ? Well to give myself a fighting chance I'll change the pace away from dance music...
'Pity the Plight' Plan B feat John Cooper Clarke
From the film Ill manors - I find this quite chilling to be honest, the tune is ace and I love the poetry but the excerpts from the film don't sit well with me and while they add something to the track that I think make it unique, its still unsettling. Its here for that reason as well anything else. Similar in some ways to 'dance with the devil' I think.
'On Her Majestys Secret Service' Propellerheads
Love this take on the James Bond theme, easily the best Ive heard and <gasp> better than Moby's effort.
'Kelly Watch the Stars' Air
Heard this recently and instantly Shazam'd it. Love the arrangement and the melodies of this, its just a happy record to me. Nice bridges in it too.
'Under your spell' Desire
Su and I have been swapping playlists on spotify and she sent me this in one of them. She thought Kanye's forever-ever line in Diamonds came from here (bless) rest assured I sent her 'Ms Jackson' in my next list. Love the sentiment, love the music in this one. Pretty original for my money and that always goes down well with me.
'White Lines' Grandmaster Flash
Amazed this wasn't on DHS already, but you bitches always moan if I don't end the playlist with a good one. So is this good enough for ya ??
Closing in on 1000 tracks - I make that 990 so far. Over to you boys. I shall be travelling 500 miles for a weekend of sex that we've been building up to for 3 weeks.... the first shag will need a second condom after I fill up the first one, balls like water melons im tellin' ya man...
One love x
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Monday, 25 November 2013
DHS 11 - Part 17 (H)
D
Nice bunch of tracks - the one that has gotten stuck in my nut is the Lynch remix... find myself humming it quite often. Moby's new LP is definitely quite samey when stood adjacent to 18... that's certainly not mentioned as a bad thing (18 is a solid LP) but I tend to find myself going back to his old/older stuff as opposed to his new material.
S
Quiller - it's familiar... find it a bit tedious at times to be honest but perhaps it will grow.
Avery - absolutely superb track and his LP from this year is a shoo-in for album of year, great producer, attention to detail man which I like very much.
JOTS (rmx) - very good indeed, one of my faves from this year, thanks for finding this.
Don't think I need to make my love for the Eulberg or Dixon remixes known any further, I have made this clear on email! - both of them are huge and again worthy potential tracks for best of 2013.
and on that note I guess end of November is a good opportunity to up some of my faves from this year.... I did have a cracking little five track line-up ready to go which all revolved around my 'rainy day faves', which I'm now going to have to save for.... errrrr..... a rainy day. Also, over the weekend, I got 5 SR tracks which I enjoyed the most from Wembley but it didn't somehow feel right to do that on Spot... plus I need time to drink that gig in a bit more I think!
So the tracks that have rocked my year (aside from about three tunes which I cannot add as they either haven't been released yet or aren't on Spot...)
I got you (Matthias Vogt rmx) - found this moody melodic beauty on Burridge's Burning Man mix (best live mix of the year btw), love the treatment of the vocal - overall it just has a lovely deep groove, very easy to get lost in and listen on repeat.
Ringo - the 'secret track' which JV wouldn't name or talk about which people like Diggers were playing end of last year (from memory) and Spring/Summer this year finally got released in September and it is bloody lovely. Very musical whe compared what one might typify for a German dance record.
Mano Le Tough (TOU rmx) despite Spot's mis-listing this is a Mano Le Tough track with Tale of Us remix. Right that's covered that, now turn up those bass squelches and get them hands in the air (slow/120bpm rave music - love it).
Ten Walls - these boys did Requiem this year too but it's not available... so we'll just have to settle for this which is pretty special if you ask me... the shimmering noises that start after around 3mins which build and form main focal point of the track are very beautiful.
Tzycho - absolute f--ing nonsense. This literally makes your stomach churn on a big system. PLAY ME LOUD PLEASE.
keep on keeping on fellas,
H
Nice bunch of tracks - the one that has gotten stuck in my nut is the Lynch remix... find myself humming it quite often. Moby's new LP is definitely quite samey when stood adjacent to 18... that's certainly not mentioned as a bad thing (18 is a solid LP) but I tend to find myself going back to his old/older stuff as opposed to his new material.
S
Quiller - it's familiar... find it a bit tedious at times to be honest but perhaps it will grow.
Avery - absolutely superb track and his LP from this year is a shoo-in for album of year, great producer, attention to detail man which I like very much.
JOTS (rmx) - very good indeed, one of my faves from this year, thanks for finding this.
Don't think I need to make my love for the Eulberg or Dixon remixes known any further, I have made this clear on email! - both of them are huge and again worthy potential tracks for best of 2013.
and on that note I guess end of November is a good opportunity to up some of my faves from this year.... I did have a cracking little five track line-up ready to go which all revolved around my 'rainy day faves', which I'm now going to have to save for.... errrrr..... a rainy day. Also, over the weekend, I got 5 SR tracks which I enjoyed the most from Wembley but it didn't somehow feel right to do that on Spot... plus I need time to drink that gig in a bit more I think!
So the tracks that have rocked my year (aside from about three tunes which I cannot add as they either haven't been released yet or aren't on Spot...)
I got you (Matthias Vogt rmx) - found this moody melodic beauty on Burridge's Burning Man mix (best live mix of the year btw), love the treatment of the vocal - overall it just has a lovely deep groove, very easy to get lost in and listen on repeat.
Ringo - the 'secret track' which JV wouldn't name or talk about which people like Diggers were playing end of last year (from memory) and Spring/Summer this year finally got released in September and it is bloody lovely. Very musical whe compared what one might typify for a German dance record.
Mano Le Tough (TOU rmx) despite Spot's mis-listing this is a Mano Le Tough track with Tale of Us remix. Right that's covered that, now turn up those bass squelches and get them hands in the air (slow/120bpm rave music - love it).
Ten Walls - these boys did Requiem this year too but it's not available... so we'll just have to settle for this which is pretty special if you ask me... the shimmering noises that start after around 3mins which build and form main focal point of the track are very beautiful.
Tzycho - absolute f--ing nonsense. This literally makes your stomach churn on a big system. PLAY ME LOUD PLEASE.
keep on keeping on fellas,
H
Sunday, 3 November 2013
DHS 11 - Part 16 (S)
H
Kotya - lovely - has it's place - easy to use in a mix and, one imagines, very worthwhile doing so
Goodbye Girl (Fairmont Remix) - see above
When The Past Was Present (Pachanga Boys Purple Remix) - hitherto my experience of the Pachanga Boys was that they offered up either fabulous tunes or stuff to be quickly glossed over and moved on from. For the first time this has me somewhere in the middle - nearer the better end of the spectrum to be fair but then they have set their own bar very, very, high.
Makin' A Living - instant heroin tune and onto the all-time classics list - used it in the first subsequent mix I could and am forever grateful for it being flagged up.
Cafe Del Mar (Roberto Rodriguez Suvilahti Remix) - cannot help but invite comparisons to the infamous Ricardo Villalobos, genre-defining, minimal, version - (also on Spot) - very pleased to say that this one wins the battle of 'how-best-to-understate-the-original'. A quick scan of one hard drive reveals I have at least 17 different remixes of the original and, for what little it's worth I'd go with the Nalin & Kane, the Humate Remix, and the Oliver Leib LSG Remix.
D
Noah's Ark (Moby Remix) - new to me - listened to both this and the original and have to say they're worlds apart - original is pleasant - Moby's effort is much better and shows what he can do (with other people's material)
The Poison Tree (David Lynch Remix) - again, listened to both a couple of times and it is as clear to me that, as much as I dislike the original, David Lynch should stick to what he made his name doing...
A Case For Shame - sounds like a track that didn't quite make it onto 'Play' which suggests it's either not very good or a great example of an artist's mining of a very narrow but deep seam - let's see...
The Perfect Life - when I first ran through the album a few weeks back this was the most immediate track for me - I like the gospel element of it a lot but, again, it could've featured on Play - the fact that its subject matter describes a life of drugs, injections, overdoses, guns and violence I choose not to see as miserable, or depressing...
A Long Time - sounds quite a lot like another track that didn't quite make it onto 'Play' - production is probably 'bigger' than it would've been in the 'Play' era but, on the strength of this album (which I have in FLAC and have given several listens through before this evening), the lad is in danger of becoming the Cliff Richard of his epoch - found an MOR niche and is exploiting it for everything it's got. His occasional remix work suggests he's capable of much, MUCH, more...
... but fair play to him - still by MILES the most common DHS artist - would personally prefer to hear him put out something 'edgy' under his own name.
And so to mine...
I'll keep this brief as I've already broadcast four of these five on mixlr - the exception being the first one...
Quiller - the sound of a 70s porn film being recorded on top of a grand piano - Bill Brewster unearths another absolute gem...
Flashlights - Daniel Avery has recently released what is arguably this year's best album but this, predating it, merely served to point the way to what was coming - used this early on my 'Spiced Ham' mix
In Order To Trance - (Hrdvision Remix) - Early 90's rave meets the deep house of 2012 and goes BOOM. Jokers Of The Scene have ab-so-lute-ly been the discovery of the year for me - their range is vast but their quality never really seems to dip - on my mixlr01 session in May and was my main contender for tune of the year until I found out it was released in December 2012...
Parade (Dominik Eulberg Remix) - (the temptation at this point to write on and on and on and on about this track is very strong - but the facts of the matter are it speaks for itself so I need actually say very little). IMMENSE. (as used in mixlr04 in October)
Tides (Dixon remix) - (as used in mixlr05) - best remix (out of dozens so far) of anything by The xx - including Sasha's effort - everything about this is simply spot on - the percussion build, the melodic mood, the introduction of the synth-strings, the placement of the lyrics - above all 'the-tension' - and then the fade to mix out over - understated brilliance
S
x
Kotya - lovely - has it's place - easy to use in a mix and, one imagines, very worthwhile doing so
Goodbye Girl (Fairmont Remix) - see above
When The Past Was Present (Pachanga Boys Purple Remix) - hitherto my experience of the Pachanga Boys was that they offered up either fabulous tunes or stuff to be quickly glossed over and moved on from. For the first time this has me somewhere in the middle - nearer the better end of the spectrum to be fair but then they have set their own bar very, very, high.
Makin' A Living - instant heroin tune and onto the all-time classics list - used it in the first subsequent mix I could and am forever grateful for it being flagged up.
Cafe Del Mar (Roberto Rodriguez Suvilahti Remix) - cannot help but invite comparisons to the infamous Ricardo Villalobos, genre-defining, minimal, version - (also on Spot) - very pleased to say that this one wins the battle of 'how-best-to-understate-the-original'. A quick scan of one hard drive reveals I have at least 17 different remixes of the original and, for what little it's worth I'd go with the Nalin & Kane, the Humate Remix, and the Oliver Leib LSG Remix.
D
Noah's Ark (Moby Remix) - new to me - listened to both this and the original and have to say they're worlds apart - original is pleasant - Moby's effort is much better and shows what he can do (with other people's material)
The Poison Tree (David Lynch Remix) - again, listened to both a couple of times and it is as clear to me that, as much as I dislike the original, David Lynch should stick to what he made his name doing...
A Case For Shame - sounds like a track that didn't quite make it onto 'Play' which suggests it's either not very good or a great example of an artist's mining of a very narrow but deep seam - let's see...
The Perfect Life - when I first ran through the album a few weeks back this was the most immediate track for me - I like the gospel element of it a lot but, again, it could've featured on Play - the fact that its subject matter describes a life of drugs, injections, overdoses, guns and violence I choose not to see as miserable, or depressing...
A Long Time - sounds quite a lot like another track that didn't quite make it onto 'Play' - production is probably 'bigger' than it would've been in the 'Play' era but, on the strength of this album (which I have in FLAC and have given several listens through before this evening), the lad is in danger of becoming the Cliff Richard of his epoch - found an MOR niche and is exploiting it for everything it's got. His occasional remix work suggests he's capable of much, MUCH, more...
... but fair play to him - still by MILES the most common DHS artist - would personally prefer to hear him put out something 'edgy' under his own name.
And so to mine...
I'll keep this brief as I've already broadcast four of these five on mixlr - the exception being the first one...
Quiller - the sound of a 70s porn film being recorded on top of a grand piano - Bill Brewster unearths another absolute gem...
Flashlights - Daniel Avery has recently released what is arguably this year's best album but this, predating it, merely served to point the way to what was coming - used this early on my 'Spiced Ham' mix
In Order To Trance - (Hrdvision Remix) - Early 90's rave meets the deep house of 2012 and goes BOOM. Jokers Of The Scene have ab-so-lute-ly been the discovery of the year for me - their range is vast but their quality never really seems to dip - on my mixlr01 session in May and was my main contender for tune of the year until I found out it was released in December 2012...
Parade (Dominik Eulberg Remix) - (the temptation at this point to write on and on and on and on about this track is very strong - but the facts of the matter are it speaks for itself so I need actually say very little). IMMENSE. (as used in mixlr04 in October)
Tides (Dixon remix) - (as used in mixlr05) - best remix (out of dozens so far) of anything by The xx - including Sasha's effort - everything about this is simply spot on - the percussion build, the melodic mood, the introduction of the synth-strings, the placement of the lyrics - above all 'the-tension' - and then the fade to mix out over - understated brilliance
S
x
DHS 11 - Part 15 (D)
Afternoon all,
Apologies for it being so long for me to post this time - have been ridiculously busy for weeks now with so little free time that when I have it I don't feel like doing much ! Be careful what you wish for they say and I did intentionally fill up my time after my malaise so that I kept my unfaithful mind at work, but it has meant Im always busy. Add that to the fact that my right ear has been blocked up for a couple of weeks now which really meant headphones were a no go and well, there you have it, a month between posts. I do have a few tracks lined up though so hopefully I can be a bit quicker with the next one...
Anyway to business:
Kev. Mate. I have tried several times to like these Depeche Mode tracks but it has been a struggle. It didn't help that you kicked off with 'see you' which is a contender for the worst record I have ever heard. I find the lyrics banal and the melody that accompanies them, well just awful. Awful and really depressing. Don't like the guys voice at all which doesn't help and it just sounds so dated. Like it was made on a Yamaha keyboard in a bedroom. To be fair the others are better - Blasphemous Rumours again has poor lyrics, I think there is a limit to what words you can use in a pop song, and its not the place to come up with big money words or indeed a miserable story which is a shame as the production is pretty good. A Question of Lust is better again, really nice melody in this one and the voice seems better to me, maybe it had matured ? Personal Jesus is a bit surprising actually, doesn't sound like the others. Has a bit of a funky thing going for it and I've certainly heard it somewhere before - nice slice of 80's pop that one. Walking in my shoes is ok too, some nice things going on in the background and again the production is good, still not so keen on the guys voice im afraid. I expected so much after 'enjoy the silence' and 'even when I lose myself' remixes, so maybe that raised my expectations too high.
Hodge - Cant say much more about Kotya other than yes it is. Doesn't do enough for me, but is nice enough. The Fairmont remix is fucking depressing. Heheheh not really - it takes a while to pick up but is very good when it does and you are right about the production - would be a good layering track in a mix. With something bigger over it, obviously. The Talabot / Pachanga Boys track does build well for sure, and the percussion is certainly unexpected, some nice things in this track, especially the main strings and melody - love the drop towards the end, very nicely done. 'Makin a living' is just ok for me (sorry mate), much prefer the original version which is on our lists already from the 20th century steel band. Also cant make the link with Kalkbrenner ? And the café del mar remix is ok I guess, but this track has been done to death hasn't it ? And for my money no-one has ever beaten the original 3in1 mix. Epic.
Ok for me, I shall take a leaf out of Kevs book and go for a themed 5. And to be honest with a new album out and still totally lifting up my world, Im sorry, but that means some more Moby to the massive catalogue we have already. What can I say - the man is on my frequency.
Before I knew he had a new album coming I did some searching for some older tracks. I had no idea that David Lynch made records, well he does and Moby remixed 'Noahs Ark' which certainly has some trademark Lynch effects and is very moby, and ever so slightly sinister. They then returned the favour and Lynch remixed 'The Poison Tree' and I love the understated piano and slow plodding beat. Nice and chilled.
So then Moby released 'Innocents' which is very good indeed and moves around a bit. So a taster here - the beautiful 'a case for shame' with an amazing vocal, great strings (of course, its moby) and a nice piano line, the uplifting 'perfect life' and the previously hyped up 'A Long time' which I just adore. Saints is pretty good too but that would be 6 tracks.
One love
Apologies for it being so long for me to post this time - have been ridiculously busy for weeks now with so little free time that when I have it I don't feel like doing much ! Be careful what you wish for they say and I did intentionally fill up my time after my malaise so that I kept my unfaithful mind at work, but it has meant Im always busy. Add that to the fact that my right ear has been blocked up for a couple of weeks now which really meant headphones were a no go and well, there you have it, a month between posts. I do have a few tracks lined up though so hopefully I can be a bit quicker with the next one...
Anyway to business:
Kev. Mate. I have tried several times to like these Depeche Mode tracks but it has been a struggle. It didn't help that you kicked off with 'see you' which is a contender for the worst record I have ever heard. I find the lyrics banal and the melody that accompanies them, well just awful. Awful and really depressing. Don't like the guys voice at all which doesn't help and it just sounds so dated. Like it was made on a Yamaha keyboard in a bedroom. To be fair the others are better - Blasphemous Rumours again has poor lyrics, I think there is a limit to what words you can use in a pop song, and its not the place to come up with big money words or indeed a miserable story which is a shame as the production is pretty good. A Question of Lust is better again, really nice melody in this one and the voice seems better to me, maybe it had matured ? Personal Jesus is a bit surprising actually, doesn't sound like the others. Has a bit of a funky thing going for it and I've certainly heard it somewhere before - nice slice of 80's pop that one. Walking in my shoes is ok too, some nice things going on in the background and again the production is good, still not so keen on the guys voice im afraid. I expected so much after 'enjoy the silence' and 'even when I lose myself' remixes, so maybe that raised my expectations too high.
Hodge - Cant say much more about Kotya other than yes it is. Doesn't do enough for me, but is nice enough. The Fairmont remix is fucking depressing. Heheheh not really - it takes a while to pick up but is very good when it does and you are right about the production - would be a good layering track in a mix. With something bigger over it, obviously. The Talabot / Pachanga Boys track does build well for sure, and the percussion is certainly unexpected, some nice things in this track, especially the main strings and melody - love the drop towards the end, very nicely done. 'Makin a living' is just ok for me (sorry mate), much prefer the original version which is on our lists already from the 20th century steel band. Also cant make the link with Kalkbrenner ? And the café del mar remix is ok I guess, but this track has been done to death hasn't it ? And for my money no-one has ever beaten the original 3in1 mix. Epic.
Ok for me, I shall take a leaf out of Kevs book and go for a themed 5. And to be honest with a new album out and still totally lifting up my world, Im sorry, but that means some more Moby to the massive catalogue we have already. What can I say - the man is on my frequency.
Before I knew he had a new album coming I did some searching for some older tracks. I had no idea that David Lynch made records, well he does and Moby remixed 'Noahs Ark' which certainly has some trademark Lynch effects and is very moby, and ever so slightly sinister. They then returned the favour and Lynch remixed 'The Poison Tree' and I love the understated piano and slow plodding beat. Nice and chilled.
So then Moby released 'Innocents' which is very good indeed and moves around a bit. So a taster here - the beautiful 'a case for shame' with an amazing vocal, great strings (of course, its moby) and a nice piano line, the uplifting 'perfect life' and the previously hyped up 'A Long time' which I just adore. Saints is pretty good too but that would be 6 tracks.
One love
Thursday, 3 October 2013
DHS 11 - Part 14 (H)
It's been a month... apologies; I had a nice little lot lined up then of course, as is the way with musical searches, some new-ish things became available and some absolute (previously assumed obscure) old gems were also found meaning I had to change my list entirely so that it made sense (well, to my ears anyway!!). No doubt to your delight, S; I have avoided adding Dixons' xx remix, but it very nearly went on.... I shall leave that in your capable hands!
But to go back on yours, Gents....
D,
Drake - have heard this quite a bit and it definitely gets inside your head... can't decide whether I'm into it or not... his voice grates on me a bit.
J & K - was disappointed in this LP to be honest, didn't deliver enough considering the talent involved. This track and two others from memory were the standouts.
Rodriguez - the out-laws lent me this dvd and have been encouraging me to watch it which I do need to get round to. the story sounds compelling. nice vocals.
Costello / Kinks - two bona fide classic records.
S,
Depeche Mode...didn't really start to research and listen to them until uni (98)... the classics were all known to me because they littered my childhood radio listening but the other stuff off the LPs was only made known to me during uni. 5 solid tracks selected, the last two being my favourite by a long stretch. All salute a truly prolific recording pop group who have provided immense original content for all our generation of knob twiddler/remixers to get stuck into.... Can't stop playing Deep Dish rmx of Freelove currently!
Very much into my moody house again at the moment (probably the change in weather!)... this little selection starts off that way then hopefully chirps up a bit...
Kotya - nothing too exciting but as you know by now I just love a bit of understated melodic deepness, pitch this down a touch and it's absolutely spot on.
Fairmont rmx - seriously in love with this track... it does funny things to me and I don't know why; I can imagine D listening to this and saying "this is f--ing depressing" ! but it does it for me - immense producer this kid, so much attention to detail... some of his other stuff is almost too clinical but this is just perfect.
Talabot/Pachanga Boys - LOVE the old skool sounding drum sound effect/loop that starts at 2:40... brings back some ace memories of the old breakbeat/hardcore tracks of the early 90's. Lush record, nice groove and builds beautifully. If you fancy a bit of minimalist breaks/rave then check out the noise on Pachanga Boys Blue Mix of this... pretty brutal, I like it but probably a marmite track.
THE African Dream - and I do stress the word THE!!! THIS IS THE F--ING TUNE I'VE SPENT YEARS HOPING I WOULD FIND ONLY TO LEARN THAT PRODUCE RECORDS (WHO RELEASED AN EXCLUSIVE TAPE COMPILATION ON WAX MAGAZINE WAY BACK IN THE MID/LATE 90'S WHICH I BOUGHT AS A KID) BASICALLY LOST A LOAD OF MONEY AND TUNES GOT SNAPPED UP BY OTHER LABELS! I lost my tape, I lost my mind.... until I found a glimmer of light - a tiny footnote on discogs listing of the tape (which I am sadly going to re-buy, yes I'm going to buy a cassette in 2013) stated 'later released under 'The African Dream'... WHAT?! Whacked it straight into Spotify and up the fucker pops on a goddamn Groove Armada Late Night Tales compilation, several of which I have bought!!!!!!!!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaargh! kicking myself somewhat. anyway this is the record I asked S to try and find on 4Four messageboard and all sorts... When Kalkbrenner released Gebrunn Gebrunn I was obviously instantly reminded of this gem of a track because of the distinctive vocal. Such a smashing tune, really cemented my love of deep house with an American soul influence (US garage)
Rodriguez rmx - I'm not always one for remixes of proper old classics but in the last 5 years there have been some excellent re-inventions, totally remodelled records, and this is one of them. Taking a banging trance classic and turning it into a bouncing deep house track that sits a third of the way through a set as opposed to at the end. Superb. Really wanted to share this as I meant to play it a few weekends ago but forgot to whack it on a memory stick! I like this a lot but perhaps it will split opinions.... only time will tell.
As ever: Keep on keeping on,
H
But to go back on yours, Gents....
D,
Drake - have heard this quite a bit and it definitely gets inside your head... can't decide whether I'm into it or not... his voice grates on me a bit.
J & K - was disappointed in this LP to be honest, didn't deliver enough considering the talent involved. This track and two others from memory were the standouts.
Rodriguez - the out-laws lent me this dvd and have been encouraging me to watch it which I do need to get round to. the story sounds compelling. nice vocals.
Costello / Kinks - two bona fide classic records.
S,
Depeche Mode...didn't really start to research and listen to them until uni (98)... the classics were all known to me because they littered my childhood radio listening but the other stuff off the LPs was only made known to me during uni. 5 solid tracks selected, the last two being my favourite by a long stretch. All salute a truly prolific recording pop group who have provided immense original content for all our generation of knob twiddler/remixers to get stuck into.... Can't stop playing Deep Dish rmx of Freelove currently!
Very much into my moody house again at the moment (probably the change in weather!)... this little selection starts off that way then hopefully chirps up a bit...
Kotya - nothing too exciting but as you know by now I just love a bit of understated melodic deepness, pitch this down a touch and it's absolutely spot on.
Fairmont rmx - seriously in love with this track... it does funny things to me and I don't know why; I can imagine D listening to this and saying "this is f--ing depressing" ! but it does it for me - immense producer this kid, so much attention to detail... some of his other stuff is almost too clinical but this is just perfect.
Talabot/Pachanga Boys - LOVE the old skool sounding drum sound effect/loop that starts at 2:40... brings back some ace memories of the old breakbeat/hardcore tracks of the early 90's. Lush record, nice groove and builds beautifully. If you fancy a bit of minimalist breaks/rave then check out the noise on Pachanga Boys Blue Mix of this... pretty brutal, I like it but probably a marmite track.
THE African Dream - and I do stress the word THE!!! THIS IS THE F--ING TUNE I'VE SPENT YEARS HOPING I WOULD FIND ONLY TO LEARN THAT PRODUCE RECORDS (WHO RELEASED AN EXCLUSIVE TAPE COMPILATION ON WAX MAGAZINE WAY BACK IN THE MID/LATE 90'S WHICH I BOUGHT AS A KID) BASICALLY LOST A LOAD OF MONEY AND TUNES GOT SNAPPED UP BY OTHER LABELS! I lost my tape, I lost my mind.... until I found a glimmer of light - a tiny footnote on discogs listing of the tape (which I am sadly going to re-buy, yes I'm going to buy a cassette in 2013) stated 'later released under 'The African Dream'... WHAT?! Whacked it straight into Spotify and up the fucker pops on a goddamn Groove Armada Late Night Tales compilation, several of which I have bought!!!!!!!!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaargh! kicking myself somewhat. anyway this is the record I asked S to try and find on 4Four messageboard and all sorts... When Kalkbrenner released Gebrunn Gebrunn I was obviously instantly reminded of this gem of a track because of the distinctive vocal. Such a smashing tune, really cemented my love of deep house with an American soul influence (US garage)
Rodriguez rmx - I'm not always one for remixes of proper old classics but in the last 5 years there have been some excellent re-inventions, totally remodelled records, and this is one of them. Taking a banging trance classic and turning it into a bouncing deep house track that sits a third of the way through a set as opposed to at the end. Superb. Really wanted to share this as I meant to play it a few weekends ago but forgot to whack it on a memory stick! I like this a lot but perhaps it will split opinions.... only time will tell.
As ever: Keep on keeping on,
H
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
DHS 11 - Part 13 (S)
H's 'proto-trance' selection; all good as far as I'm concerned - that was the sort of 'sound' I was growing up with in the 80s - European, synth-pop - love it. Although that version of Humanoid Invasion does seem to be lacking some 'ooomph' in the *ahem* bottom end...
D's 'not-connected-in-any-way' selection; Drake - serious ear-worm, Jay-Z & Kanye - more ear-worm, Rodriguez - nice enough - the 'weird-noisy' middle section is cute for 1972, Costello and Kinks - classics although, on a personal note, that particular Kinks tune always leaves me a bit cold whilst the Costello tune is the absolute opposite - melts me every time.
And so...
When one considers 'pop' music there are likely as many opinions as to its genesis and fruition as there are early albums and singles. Was it rock'n'roll that started 'pop'? Had 'pop' been around even before the first World War? Did The Beatles crystallise and distil it in 1963's 'Please Please Me'? Any and all such questions are largely daft and therein, for many folk at least, lies the attraction in addressing them - there are, of course, no correct answers and consequently one cannot be definitively wrong... However, no matter the opinions offered about the origins of 'pop' music - here are some indisputable pop music facts.
Depeche Mode have been going for 37 years. That's THIRTY SEVEN YEARS. Depeche Mode have released 49 UK charting singles; 13 studio albums - all of which have been Top Ten in the UK and, worldwide, sold over 100 million records. Depeche Mode have played live to over 30 million people.
THAT'S THIRTY MILLION PEOPLE!!!
It is for these reasons, but far from these reasons alone, that I unhesitatingly call them England's greatest ever 'pop' band.
Let me leave aside the round-number statistics and use less empirical arguments...
Depeche Mode helped spawn and have sustained the commissioned remix culture like NO other band. From 'extended 12" mixes' in the early 80s to full on re-engineered deliveries from just about every single worthwhile dance music producer ever - Frankie Knuckles, Francois Kervokian, Danny Tenaglia, Sasha and UNKLE to name but five - it would very probably be easier to list who HASN'T reworked one or more of their tracks than document all those who have (their officially 'unofficial' remix catalogue is GIGANTIC). They have been cited as a major influence by rock groups, pop acts, indie bands and dance producers from the UK, US, Europe and beyond and simple minded fans like me across the globe. Not to mention the photographers and film directors they have influenced, inspired and given opportunities to through their tours, videos and publicity work over the decades - eg, Anton Corbijn's filming of 'Devotional - A Performance' - the most stylish, elegant and somehow still emotional live gig film I've seen and which provided a major boost for Corbijn's career.
They are genuinely a band without peers.
And yet Depeche Mode are still MASSIVELY underrated and undervalued in the UK and it is a wrong that really should be righted - starting, in rather pathetic fashion, here, on the home of musical correctness...
A Depeche Mode 'top five' for DHS purposes is laughably impossible - but this is my best stab at it... (As befitting a 'pop band' I've limited my choice to singles and excluded all album tracks and/or remixes - but even so that's leaving somewhere around 90% of their eligible material out of the list. I've also kept it to the period during which they were my biggest influence, which is absolutely not to say that their more recent stuff isn't worthy.) So, in chronological order;
- See You (4th single, 1982)
- Blasphemous Rumours (12th single, 1984)
- A Question Of Lust (16th single, 1986)
- Personal Jesus (23rd single, 1989)
- Walking In My Shoes (28th single, 1993)
Wallop.
D's 'not-connected-in-any-way' selection; Drake - serious ear-worm, Jay-Z & Kanye - more ear-worm, Rodriguez - nice enough - the 'weird-noisy' middle section is cute for 1972, Costello and Kinks - classics although, on a personal note, that particular Kinks tune always leaves me a bit cold whilst the Costello tune is the absolute opposite - melts me every time.
And so...
When one considers 'pop' music there are likely as many opinions as to its genesis and fruition as there are early albums and singles. Was it rock'n'roll that started 'pop'? Had 'pop' been around even before the first World War? Did The Beatles crystallise and distil it in 1963's 'Please Please Me'? Any and all such questions are largely daft and therein, for many folk at least, lies the attraction in addressing them - there are, of course, no correct answers and consequently one cannot be definitively wrong... However, no matter the opinions offered about the origins of 'pop' music - here are some indisputable pop music facts.
Depeche Mode have been going for 37 years. That's THIRTY SEVEN YEARS. Depeche Mode have released 49 UK charting singles; 13 studio albums - all of which have been Top Ten in the UK and, worldwide, sold over 100 million records. Depeche Mode have played live to over 30 million people.
THAT'S THIRTY MILLION PEOPLE!!!
It is for these reasons, but far from these reasons alone, that I unhesitatingly call them England's greatest ever 'pop' band.
Let me leave aside the round-number statistics and use less empirical arguments...
Depeche Mode helped spawn and have sustained the commissioned remix culture like NO other band. From 'extended 12" mixes' in the early 80s to full on re-engineered deliveries from just about every single worthwhile dance music producer ever - Frankie Knuckles, Francois Kervokian, Danny Tenaglia, Sasha and UNKLE to name but five - it would very probably be easier to list who HASN'T reworked one or more of their tracks than document all those who have (their officially 'unofficial' remix catalogue is GIGANTIC). They have been cited as a major influence by rock groups, pop acts, indie bands and dance producers from the UK, US, Europe and beyond and simple minded fans like me across the globe. Not to mention the photographers and film directors they have influenced, inspired and given opportunities to through their tours, videos and publicity work over the decades - eg, Anton Corbijn's filming of 'Devotional - A Performance' - the most stylish, elegant and somehow still emotional live gig film I've seen and which provided a major boost for Corbijn's career.
They are genuinely a band without peers.
And yet Depeche Mode are still MASSIVELY underrated and undervalued in the UK and it is a wrong that really should be righted - starting, in rather pathetic fashion, here, on the home of musical correctness...
A Depeche Mode 'top five' for DHS purposes is laughably impossible - but this is my best stab at it... (As befitting a 'pop band' I've limited my choice to singles and excluded all album tracks and/or remixes - but even so that's leaving somewhere around 90% of their eligible material out of the list. I've also kept it to the period during which they were my biggest influence, which is absolutely not to say that their more recent stuff isn't worthy.) So, in chronological order;
- See You (4th single, 1982)
- Blasphemous Rumours (12th single, 1984)
- A Question Of Lust (16th single, 1986)
- Personal Jesus (23rd single, 1989)
- Walking In My Shoes (28th single, 1993)
Wallop.
Friday, 16 August 2013
DHS 11 - Part 12 (D)
Oh my oh my oh my. As I remarked to Hodgson in an unremembered and frankly inconceivable series of drunken texts a couple of weekends ago - its been a long time. There is no need to go into the why on this here page, devoted as it is to music and particularly D, H & S music. Suffice to say that as ever I am reminded of the power of music and its ability to lift you up, if only temporarily. Two months and 6 days since the last post here and that is truly shocking, I shall endeavour to do better next time when hopefully I am back to full fitness, available for selection and not cluttering up the physio's room. So without further ado...
Kev
Loving 'Saturday' the original. Had a remake of this that I used to hammer way back when, think it might have been by full intention but cant be sure. It had a grey cover though. Possibly on credence. Ace tune.
Same goes for 'I want your love' that's a stone cold classic right there isn't it. Cant fault it in any way - a solid choice and great addition to the hallowed lists.
Hmmm David Bowie... never really been a fan of his but love 'Lets Dance' but only because of that riff which has DEFINITELY been used in a rap record - I want to say by the Notorious BIG, but it might equally be Puff Daddy, someone of that ilk anyway. Don't like Bowies voice I don't think.
Unfortunately 'Spacer' doesn't do it for me, been trying to think of why - could be all the 80's power chords, or that main hook I think, but no, not for me Im afraid.
However 'Im coming out' is tremendous, and this one was definitely used by the Biggie / Puff Daddy crew and the track I believe was 'mo money, mo problems' those boys definitely had some Nile Rodgers love. Good Selection Mr S.
Hodge
So its all about the Mothersole eh, and his roots of trance mix. Interesting. Was never a big fan of the 80's electro stuff unless it used strings really. This one has been sampled by MARRS I think ? Not sure it works on its own, not for me anyway - just sounds too dated and gimmicky as a lot of that stuff was then.
'Unveiling the secret' I do like, has a nice little melody in it, but that vocal just about gets away with it for me. Again sounds so dated, and not in a good way. Maybe I just don't like 80s dance ??
Zoolookologie is again very gimmicky isn't it ? Like someone trying out all the buttons on their new fx keyboard. Which is a shame because I think there is a half decent tune dying to get out of there somewhere.
Ha ha - 'Jabdah' is surely a classic 80s synth record, have heard this many times in many ways. Was certain some Spandau ballet-esque vocal was going to burst out over the top of it, but thankfully not. Top tune !
'Humanoid Invasion' is new to me (great name) but the main riff has been sampled and Ive heard it somewhere else. Very uplifting and very nice indeed, a good tune to end with Hodge old boy - top work.
Im going to burst the current trend and go for 5 records that have absolutely nothing in common...
Drake 'Started from the Bottom'
I love this, I don't know why really. Great tune, like his voice and the production is slick. All the swearing is a bit unnecessary really but it always gets my head bobbing. Dope.
Kanye & Jay-Z 'No Church in the Wild'
Top top tune this one. Great bass drum, nice strings and while Kanye I can take or leave, the singing vocal is perfectly offset by Jay-Z's lyrical flow and the whole thing is superbly out together. Not sure about the ending though...
Rodriguez 'Sugar Man'
Love this album and the story behind it is ace. Recorded the album in South America, completely flopped. Went about his life as a working musician. 25 years later he discovered hes one of the best selling artists in South Africa EVER and is owed a shitload of royalties. Apparently they thought he was dead or something. Likely story. Anyway this album is well worth a check, especially this track and 'cause' which has some great strings. His song have great lyrics and nice melodies.
Elvis Costello 'She'
Went to a free gig at Hyde Park a little while back. Elton John was meant to be playing but when he bailed they made it gratis. Costello played - this was his best one. And I love it from Notting Hill too.
The Kinks 'You really got me'
Ray Davies played after Elvis and he really got the place rocking with all the kinks tunes, this one of course being the most famous and rocking of them all.
Enjoy
One love
Kev
Loving 'Saturday' the original. Had a remake of this that I used to hammer way back when, think it might have been by full intention but cant be sure. It had a grey cover though. Possibly on credence. Ace tune.
Same goes for 'I want your love' that's a stone cold classic right there isn't it. Cant fault it in any way - a solid choice and great addition to the hallowed lists.
Hmmm David Bowie... never really been a fan of his but love 'Lets Dance' but only because of that riff which has DEFINITELY been used in a rap record - I want to say by the Notorious BIG, but it might equally be Puff Daddy, someone of that ilk anyway. Don't like Bowies voice I don't think.
Unfortunately 'Spacer' doesn't do it for me, been trying to think of why - could be all the 80's power chords, or that main hook I think, but no, not for me Im afraid.
However 'Im coming out' is tremendous, and this one was definitely used by the Biggie / Puff Daddy crew and the track I believe was 'mo money, mo problems' those boys definitely had some Nile Rodgers love. Good Selection Mr S.
Hodge
So its all about the Mothersole eh, and his roots of trance mix. Interesting. Was never a big fan of the 80's electro stuff unless it used strings really. This one has been sampled by MARRS I think ? Not sure it works on its own, not for me anyway - just sounds too dated and gimmicky as a lot of that stuff was then.
'Unveiling the secret' I do like, has a nice little melody in it, but that vocal just about gets away with it for me. Again sounds so dated, and not in a good way. Maybe I just don't like 80s dance ??
Zoolookologie is again very gimmicky isn't it ? Like someone trying out all the buttons on their new fx keyboard. Which is a shame because I think there is a half decent tune dying to get out of there somewhere.
Ha ha - 'Jabdah' is surely a classic 80s synth record, have heard this many times in many ways. Was certain some Spandau ballet-esque vocal was going to burst out over the top of it, but thankfully not. Top tune !
'Humanoid Invasion' is new to me (great name) but the main riff has been sampled and Ive heard it somewhere else. Very uplifting and very nice indeed, a good tune to end with Hodge old boy - top work.
Im going to burst the current trend and go for 5 records that have absolutely nothing in common...
Drake 'Started from the Bottom'
I love this, I don't know why really. Great tune, like his voice and the production is slick. All the swearing is a bit unnecessary really but it always gets my head bobbing. Dope.
Kanye & Jay-Z 'No Church in the Wild'
Top top tune this one. Great bass drum, nice strings and while Kanye I can take or leave, the singing vocal is perfectly offset by Jay-Z's lyrical flow and the whole thing is superbly out together. Not sure about the ending though...
Rodriguez 'Sugar Man'
Love this album and the story behind it is ace. Recorded the album in South America, completely flopped. Went about his life as a working musician. 25 years later he discovered hes one of the best selling artists in South Africa EVER and is owed a shitload of royalties. Apparently they thought he was dead or something. Likely story. Anyway this album is well worth a check, especially this track and 'cause' which has some great strings. His song have great lyrics and nice melodies.
Elvis Costello 'She'
Went to a free gig at Hyde Park a little while back. Elton John was meant to be playing but when he bailed they made it gratis. Costello played - this was his best one. And I love it from Notting Hill too.
The Kinks 'You really got me'
Ray Davies played after Elvis and he really got the place rocking with all the kinks tunes, this one of course being the most famous and rocking of them all.
Enjoy
One love
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