So, I never write anymore and that's a bit tragic honestly. Think I've lost the knack of writing, or maybe I've had to unlearn the bullshit before my mind has been free to write some sense again. It seems like as good a time as any to get into the habit again. I became formulaic and trite and arse-licking. I became everything I think good journalism and good writing should not be. So, in advance of the new year, here's a new start.
Haven't been to enough shows lately, but poverty has something to do with that. And yes, I know that there are endless free shows, but let's face it, in London no show is truly free. There's food and drink and transport. After that's set you back, if you have to buy a ticket too then you're out a decent amount for shows. Having said that... on the horizon is a show I am insanely excited about which is Roy Ayers.
Got into Roy Ayers when I was producing a radio show called Broomhill Mix up in Glasgow. Was producing this for a guy called Alan. I was head of programming at subcity radio at the time so every two weeks I would get up early on a Saturday and head to the studio to produce Alan's show. Alan was blind, so unlike most presenters at the station he couldn't produce the show himself. He introduced me to jazz properly for the first time and Roy Ayers was one of the artists that stood out the most for me, especially "Everybody loves the sunshine".
Alan still presents "Broomhill Mix" once a week and you can check it out on subcity.org
I'd get to the studio and we'd spend two hours eating twixes, drinking tango and irn-bru and playing tunes to whoever happened to be listening. Alan's show was after a programme called soulful all sorts and was followed by a crazy industrial show if I remember correctly. I really miss my student radio days sometimes.
It pushed me to find new music and learn more about new bands and genres. Spending those 2 hours a fortnight locked up in the studio with Alan meant I discovered a whole new world of music that I had never engaged with before. I didn't like all of it, but the Roy Ayers tracks and some D Train Williams stayed with me years afterwards.
I can't wait to see Roy Ayers next month and I can't wait to spend time finding new bands either. Here's to the next musical adventure. If you know any bands, albums or genres you think it'd be worth exploring, just let me know and I'll add them to my list.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
New albums
Been enjoying some great new music tonight despite my cynical cold heart doubting that such a thing still existed.
Bought the following new albums at the weekend...
Modeselektor "Modeselektor Vol 2"
Garbage "Not My Kind Of People"
and tonight I also got hooked on the iTunes previews of Nas' new album "Life Is Good".
Shit, I forgot how good music could be when you looked for what you loved. This Nas album is tugging at my insides from the get go. I think It'll have to be bought on payday (or before if I can swing it!) Beautiful mix of soulfulness and tight precise lyricism, I actually can't wait to own the album.
Almost tempted to buy from iTunes, but I fuckin hate digital downloads. I need something in my hand that I can put in a machine. Anything else is cold and soulless and takes all the love out of playing an album.
This was going to be about the albums I'd bought but now it's about what I want to buy. My favourite track off the Modeselektor album so far is "Sudaka Invasor". Nice balance of hip-hop and glitch. This is the territory where I think the Germans shine brightest. Taking something really simple and making it beautifully complicated and intricate. Twisting sounds around themselves.
The album I've most wanted is the one that I haven't even opened yet and is lying there untouched in it's plastic wrapped glory. I need special time for a new Garbage album and I can't wait to savour it properly (from what I saw live in Brixton, I don't think I'll be disappointed.)
I also want to buy Sigur Ros "Valtari" desperately...damn. No food then this month. Just music, which is actually better than food.
I'm off now to feast my ears...
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Mister music man
Wow...hadn't realised it'd been so long since I last posted. To be honest, it's a sad day when life becomes too busy to share your passion for music.
Thankfully my every day life is full of people that are deeply passionate about music and that is a rare and extremely priviledged situation to be in.
I may work for a trance and progressive house label, but the people I work with aren't boxed in by genre. The richness and diversity of their musical taste fill the office with a symphony of different sounds and melodies.
Whether it's Wiley's Christmas tune from the garage officionado on my left, or the sound of PJ & Duncan from the cheesy, cheerful pop-fanatics behind me, the love of music is so clear and so honest that it makes you think, shit yeah, let's get ready to rhumble.
One of the guys in my office is a fellow punk (with a separate but equal passion for DnB as it happens) and when we both listened to 'Prison Song' by System Of A Down for the first time in years last week, I think it brought the same smile to his face that it brought to mine.
It's not just work though. My ex, and one of my closest friends to boot, taught me what real hip-hop is about. His love of hip-hop and jazz is religious. His flow is sick when he rhymes and some of my happiest memories are of going to shows with him. The best of those being when we went to a tiny jazz club in Harlem.
A speakeasy throw back to the days of prohibition. A room no bigger than your average living room and a BYOB policy. This was where a young Billie Holliday sang, it was a spot for Lena Horne too and the man name Bill who owned the joint took to the stage and played the finest jazz I've ever heard. The wild turkey was flowing and the music was almost like a drug, that could transport you to new realms and planes of reality. It enveloped you completely.
Every person in my life brings more music, more passion to it. When I was younger, I always thought that if I was alone on a desert island with no one for company, all I would need was my music and I would be happy. Music is life and life is music. So my question to you is, what does your soundtrack sound like?
Thankfully my every day life is full of people that are deeply passionate about music and that is a rare and extremely priviledged situation to be in.
I may work for a trance and progressive house label, but the people I work with aren't boxed in by genre. The richness and diversity of their musical taste fill the office with a symphony of different sounds and melodies.
Whether it's Wiley's Christmas tune from the garage officionado on my left, or the sound of PJ & Duncan from the cheesy, cheerful pop-fanatics behind me, the love of music is so clear and so honest that it makes you think, shit yeah, let's get ready to rhumble.
One of the guys in my office is a fellow punk (with a separate but equal passion for DnB as it happens) and when we both listened to 'Prison Song' by System Of A Down for the first time in years last week, I think it brought the same smile to his face that it brought to mine.
It's not just work though. My ex, and one of my closest friends to boot, taught me what real hip-hop is about. His love of hip-hop and jazz is religious. His flow is sick when he rhymes and some of my happiest memories are of going to shows with him. The best of those being when we went to a tiny jazz club in Harlem.
A speakeasy throw back to the days of prohibition. A room no bigger than your average living room and a BYOB policy. This was where a young Billie Holliday sang, it was a spot for Lena Horne too and the man name Bill who owned the joint took to the stage and played the finest jazz I've ever heard. The wild turkey was flowing and the music was almost like a drug, that could transport you to new realms and planes of reality. It enveloped you completely.
Every person in my life brings more music, more passion to it. When I was younger, I always thought that if I was alone on a desert island with no one for company, all I would need was my music and I would be happy. Music is life and life is music. So my question to you is, what does your soundtrack sound like?
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