A Day In LA

I take a trip to Los Angeles once every five or six weeks to go shopping and have a look around Dogtown.


This is the Ramona Expressway, which thankfully spares us having to drive straight through Hemet to get to the highway.


The Silent Movie Theatre is the last remaining movie theatre that only shows, you guessed it, silent films. Built in the 40s, it is has recently been refurbished to its former glory and has served as a multi-purpose venue with everything from concerts to independent screenings happening regularly.


I'm not sure who the artist is that has done these Martin Luther King posters but they're everywhere in and around Melrose and Fairfax.


This looks a but like the work of The London Police but it's a lot looser. Any idea who the artist is?


Los Angeles is an opportunist's playground and how better to advertise your self-defense seminar than to stick your poster under a reward poster calling for information in a murder case?


This is just down Fairfax just before you get to Canter's Deli, it made us laugh.


I love people who do this sort of thing, simple yet effective.


Of the thirty of forty pictures of actresses outside Bennett's Ice Cream I chose to take a picture of the Gerald Ford picture and not the buxom bikini clad actresses. Oh well...


This kid couldn't have been older than six or seven.


I really like the top image, really strong. Anybody know who the artist is?



Downtown Los Angeles just before you get to Little Tokyo.


Bottom left is a sticker of the Obama poster that Shepard Fairey did a few months ago. I have 4 or 5 of them and in keeping with the ethos, if you want one I'll send it to you. The women are two of Fela Kuti's wives and the pictures came in the boxset that was released a couple of years back. You can also play spot the Moodymann flier.

One Hundred Project : Jon Freer

What is on your stereo at the moment?

Various things I’ve been sent for review consideration, mixes I‘ve downloaded, recent purchases and older favourites.

3 records that changed your life. Why?

The Source - You Got The Love
The first record I can remember having any sort of an impact on me. It was in the pop charts when I was about 6 or 7. This record led me to eventually discovering house music and start buying vinyl in my early teens.

Doc Scott – Blue Skies
I found the D&B released between the mid and late 90s really exciting. This was one of my favourite records of the era, released on Goldie’s influential Metalheadz imprint.

Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
After years of being an electronic music obsessive, this album reminded me of the power of the voice and an acoustic guitar.

What are you looking forward to?

Tomorrow.

What couldn’t you live without? Why?

Hard to tell. You wouldn’t really know what you couldn’t live without until you experienced life without it.

Most memorable gig?

DJ Gig - Playing in the main room of the Music Box to an appreciate crowd, after spending so many nights in there dancing to other people’s records.

Attended - In terms of live music, it would be a close tie between The Gotan Project at the Bridgewater Hall, Jose Gonzalez at the Britons Protection, Marissa Nadler at the Phoenix and Amp Fiddler at the Fez Club. In terms of DJ driven events, Larry Heard and Brett Dancer at Scuba in Sheffield ranks pretty highly, as does Luke and Justin’s selection at the Electric Chair 10th birthday, Osunlade at Electric Souls and Kerri Chandler at Circus.

Who/what are your influences?

I think everything and everyone you come into contact with shapes you as a person.

What is the best and worst thing about the city that you live in?

Best: The people.
Worst: The weather.

Given the accelerated pace of modern culture, what are we due a revival in?

Something that hasn’t gone away.

Hero? Why?

Anybody who follows their heart and stands up for what they believe in.

Is there anything else that you feel that we should know?

Check the following websites for my writing…
http://hearingisbelieving.blogspot.com
http://www.r4nt.com
and for my photos…
http://livingthroughphotos.blogspot.com

Bio

I like music. I write about music that excites me. I have been involved with music for over a decade, as a music journalist, promotional writer, shop assistant, event promoter and DJ.

JF's One Hundred Project Mix

TRACKLISTING

Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve - See People
Marissa Nadler - Diamond Heart (Live)
Sufjan Stevens - The Dress Looks Nice On You
PG Six - Cover Art Reprise
Herman Dune - Slow Century
Dego & Yukimi - Pieces Of You
Maxine Harvey - Sentimental
Calm - Above The Cloud
Susumu Yokota - King Of Darkness (Swell Session Remix)
Erlend Oye & Morgan Geist - Ghost Train
Joe Claussell - Je Ka Jo
EBTG - Walking Wounded

Download the mix here.

Kumomusic Muxtape

After taking part in the Last Rites Muxtape which you can listen to here, and being the type of guy who if you let put one track on I'll sneak on three, I thought I'd do one of my own, that and I'm really bored.

So here is my Muxtape. The only frustrating bit was being limited to 10mb per track and some of the tunes that I wanted to put on came in at 10.2mb etc. but I think it came out fairly well in the end for what it is.

TRACKLISTING

Milton Nascimento - Parra Lennon e McCartney
Marsha Hunt - (Oh No!) Not The Beast Day
The Heavy - Colleen
Sumeria - Why Must There Be An End
Lamont Dozier - Going Back To My Roots
The Blackbyrds - Mysterious Vibes
The Impressions - Inner City Blues
Ohmega Watts - The Platypus Strut
Nomo - Nu Tones
Fela Kuti - Everything Scatter
Quiet Village - Too High To Move
Latimore - Lets Straighten It Out

So there you have it, kicking off with some Brasilian funk onto some rawness both new and old then a spot of disco and taking it down to some consciousness and then onto some afrobeat and ending with a balearic masterpiece and a cracking bit of bluesy soul. Not too bad in all truth and pretty much indicative of the sort of stuff that I play(ed) out. I might even do a proper mix soon as I owe Chris Keyz another one, so if he still wants one I'll retreat to the record room and get it done. If you missed the last mix that I did with my great mate Paul which featured tracks by Quiet Village, Coyote, Sylvester, Rune Lindbaek, Mudd and a few others then download it here. It's been downloaded over 1500 times and has that late night sunrise kinda vibe that I like so much.

If any of you want the .mp3 of any of these then just let me know and I'll stick it up but seek out the vinyl, far more satisfying.

Some Good Fortune

Being a record collector has lead me to interesting places from record stores in basements of linen factories in Singapore to attics of hairdressers in Taipei to market stalls in Thailand and to more established stores in Japan and occasionally I get given records by people who have ditched the black crack in favour of a shiny piece of plastic and I am always eternally grateful when that happens as I'm sure you can imagine.

I've had two bits of luck this year, the first one was when I bought a 7" off a guy in Canada who sent me all of his 7"s at no extra charge. I paid $10 for 100+ singles, which included tracks by Giorgio Moroder, Sheila B. & Devotion, various Norman Whitfield produced bits, various Patrick Adams produced bits and loads more. The actual 7" that I bought off the guy was unplayable but I didn't complain.


The second bit of luck came yesterday when one of my colleagues invited me round to peruse his record collection from his 'mispent youth' and said I could have anything that I wanted. I walked out with records by King Sunny Ade, Roxy Music, various albums with The Meters as the backing band, Marvin Gaye, Parliament, Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock and tons more goodness. I'm still going through them, so posting on here might slow down considerably while I find some hidden gems and take a huge gulp of inspiration.



They also say that things happen in threes and I'm off to the big sale at Record Surplus on West Pico at the end of May where they have an attic full of records that they're going to be selling at the dizzy price of 92c for three. I may need to build more shelving.

Round Three feat. Paul St. Hilaire - Acting Crazy

Mark Ernestus and Moritz Von Oswald are probably best known as Basic Channel but their forays into the world of dub have blessed us with multitude of great music as Rhythm & Sound. Their sound is stripped to the core and heavily influenced by the likes of King Tubby but with a modern take that is as relevant as it is timeless.

Acting Crazy features Paul St. Hilaire aka Tikiman and is recorded under the moniker Round Three under which Mark Ernestus and Moritz Von Oswald only released this EP and was a part of a series numbered one to five which featured records as incredible as I'm Your Brother and Find A Way. It's one of those records that is absolute dynamite at the right time of the night and sounds incredible on a big soundsystem with all the echoes and effects. The beauty of any record made by Mark and Moritz is that they take very few elements and have the ability to work them in a way that make them sound perfectly juxtaposed next to one another, they make the best loops. They're also not afraid to leave some space between the notes and that makes their music transcend the myriad of copycat dub techno records that are littering the marketplace at the moment.

I have a whole section in my collection devoted to these guys and I just wish that they'd release more records and thankfully this recent reworking of Sebbo Watamu Beach, which is absolutely immaculate, has been released for all of us to drop the needle on.


Round Three feat. Paul St. Hilaire - Acting Crazy

As an added bonus I thought I'd upload Mark Ernestus' insanely good remix of master drummer Tony Allen's Moyege, which was released by Honest Jon's a year or so back. It is a perfect example of how great a dub house record can be. Drink it in.

Tony Allen - Moyege - Mark's Disco Dub

K. Frimpong

Alhaji K. Frimpong is a sadly missed Ghanaian singer who has had a bit of a renaissance in recent times after his inclusion on the superb Soundway compilations Ghana Soundz volumes 1 & 2, which were a staple of many a DJ's recordboxes a couple of months ago. Soundway is a British record label based in Brighton, England whose mission is to release underground tropical dance music with a funky flavour. With a philosophy of quality not quantity Soundway hope to delve deep into areas that have gone unnoticed, uncovering tasty musical gems for the dance-floor and beyond and their releases are accompanied by detailed research.

Kyenken Bi Adi Mawu was his hit song and is a great launching block to his brilliant afro-funk sounds. I know very little about the man beyond his music and the liner notes on the Soundway releases and if any of you can point me in the direction of more then please do so.

K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas - Kyenken Bi Adi Mawu



Collecting music in Africa can be a time consuming and demanding practice and this article by Duncan Brooker is a great illustration of just how far people will go to get that elusive afro cut. Being from South Africa where records were still pressed well into the 90s finding music on black crack isn't as difficult as it could be for someone hunting down Mulatu LPs in Ethiopia or Air Fiesta Matata LPs in Kenya but as I've come to appreciate my African roots more as I have gotten older, I have found that there is something that stirs my soul whenever I hear records by the likes of Fela Kuti and at the moment every other record that I buy is from the mother land and although it is costing me a small fortune I wouldn't want it any other way. Check this blog for more grooves than you can shake a Mabr at.

Map of Africa - Freaky Ways

Map Of Africa is a band formed of the combined forces of Tonka Soundsystem and balearic DJs wet dream, the legendary Harvey and one half of Rub 'n Tug and former A.R.E. Weapons member Thom Bullock.

Having grown up together in the wilds of Fen-land East Anglia they have found their way into a studio built in the old barn of a commune compound deep in the woods and rivers of Northern New York State. From here they have single-handedly written and recorded their first album of songs that, though they are clearly the work of individual vision, can at times remind you of the bands Can and Hawkwind or for that matter Godley and Creme.

Harvey is known for his ridiculously expensive Black Cock releases and having ushered in the current wave of re-edit hysteria as well as his unique remix and production style that along with his international DJ performances has kept him in a position of cult status amongst disco and dance connoseurs for the past two decades. Here are a couple of interviews with the bearded one that may give you a bit more insight into the mythical status of the man - read here and here.

Bullock is most easily recognized for his role in his DJ partnership Rub 'n Tug but may also be remembered as the man behind the music of an earlier NY super nova; A.R.E. Weapons. Now as well as his work with Harvey he is recording an LP under the handle of Bobbie Marie and producing several other groups all for the Brooklyn's Whatever We Want Records. Both Harvey and Thom aren't shy of a good time and have more fun than the punters most nights, which is my style, and if we had more DJs having a good time and less looking like bored electricians checking their e-mail then we'd be all the better for it.



I've chosen this track by the band, and even though the instrumental is far superior and is mercilessly devoid of Harvey's at times karaoke singing, this track does give you an idea of what the band is all about. It's a record that initially left me very cold but having listened to it a lot in recent months it has grown on me a lot and my wife likes it, so double bonus points there. Buy the whole album and give it some time, I guarantee you'll like it. The vinyl will cost you silly money though, be warned.

Map of Africa - Freaky Ways


Harvey in his element on Venice Beach.

Wax Poetics

An education and a blessing every time this drops through my mailbox. There is no better.

Here's How Records Give You More of What You Want

Source: Tropical Hot Dog Night

Podcast Love

A few weeks ago I did a post on my favourite websites and blogs and today I thought I would highlight a couple of podcasts that get me through my frankly lazy weeks. What I like about these is that they are all incredibly well-produced and all of them play whatever they want from all four corners of the record shop, which is the way to do it. I am going to be starting my own podcast of sorts during the summer and I hope that they'll be half as good as some of these as it'll give me a chance to trawl through my collection and pull out some gems that you may want to seek out for your own collection. Win/win, really.

As a side-on, how crap are the words 'blog' and 'podcast', surely they could've come up with something that had a bit more pizzaz to it? But anyway here are my favourites.

SOULSEARCHING


Soulsearching is the Compost Records radio show and is presented by Michael Rütten who has released records as Soulpatrol in the past. With regular guests including Quantic, Maurice Fulton, Nicola Conte, Theo Parrish, Mr. Scruff, Louie Vega, John Kong, Ame, Beanfield, Makossa & Megablast, Jazzanova, Rainer Truby, Ben Mono, London Elektricity and Carl Craig the show is a perfect amalgamation of ridiculously upfront tunes and forgotten gems all presented in Michael's carefully worded English. Definitely a show that has it's ears as firmly rooted in the past as it is in the future. Download the podcast by searching for Soulsearching in the iTunes Podcast directory or just download them individually from the Compost Records website.

LAZPOD


Selected and presented by Crosstown Rebels', and former City Rockers head honcho, Damian Lazarus ably assisted by Matt Styles, Lazpod is an at times barmy no-holds barred run through the entire gamut of the musical sphere from folk to minimal all presented in Damian's typical cheeky swagger. Subscribe to the podcast here.

GILLES PETERSON WORLDWIDE


How the king of the airwaves finds time to record and produce these in addition to his absolutely essential weekly musical jaunts on Radio 1, which you can download here is beyond me but I am thankful that he does as his chats with the likes of Paul Bradshaw, Aaron Jerome, Peter Adarkwah and Marc Mac are highly informative and enthusiastic looks at the music that has most certainly kicked all of us in the ass. Subscribe to the podcast here.

FABRIC


Produced by former World Wide producer Karen P's production company, the Fabric podcast simply asks a few of the hundreds of DJs that have passed through its doors to come in and over two parts play their favourite records and have a bit of a chat about them. So far they've had Craig Richards, Andrew Weatherall, Doc Scott, Jonny Trunk, Ross Allen, owner Keith O'Reilly and a few others in the studio and what has emerged has been a nostalgic look at the music and times that have defined their careers. If you only subscribe to one podcast that I've picked today make this the one. Subscribe to it here.

BASIC SOUL



Now there is a case for bias here what with me being directly linked to the website via the interviews that I do for Simon but I can assure you that no favoritism went into this choice. Presented by Leeds-based Simon Harrison, Basic Soul is a labor of love that takes you on a journey through the best of jazz, funk, soul, house and whatever else catches Simon's ears and his presentation style is relaxed and knowledgeable with clear enthusiasm and appreciation for all the music that he plays. I have serious record envy when it comes to Simon and on every show he unearths a gem that I immediately seek out and buy. Subscribe to the podcast here.


I am also interested to know what podcasts you listen to, so if there is anything that you think is essential then leave me a message and I'll have a listen.

One Hundred Project : Scott Trackwerk

What is on your stereo at the moment?

Claro Intelecto's new album – Metanarrative. I've not really been a fan of their earlier stuff (a bit too harsh for my tastes) but this album is very deep with a lovely melancholic vibe. I only bought it a week or so ago but I'm really liking it. Also really into the new Rod Modell LP and the amazing Watamu Beach – Moritz Van Oswold Mix (every home should have one).

3 records that changed your life. Why?

Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album. My dad used to play this all the time when I was a young nipper. He used to encourage me to put the big headphone cans on and listen to it with my eyes closed. It made me realise at quite a young age that there was music out there that went beyond what you'd normally hear on the radio. I still love this album now.

Rhythm is Rhythm – Strings of Life – The summer of 89 was the most exciting period of my life. It was a musical and cultural explosion from what had gone before (Soul and Pop Music and fights in pubs/clubs every night). The music, the clubs, the drugs, the whole vibe was simply amazing. I could have picked a lot of tunes to represent this feeling and time, though I just remember the whole crowd going mental whenever this was played, wherever you where. I actually prefer Rhythm is Rhythm's – It is what it is, though I don't think it had the impact of Strings of Life.

Bobby Konders – The Poem – Graeme Park (who I idolised until he pigeon-holed himself with the Steve Silk Hurley happy-clappy sound) used to play this all the time, especially at his residency at Kool Kat in Nottingham. It was like no other house music being played, so long, deep and musical. Probably more than any other record, this influenced my future record buying habits.

What are you looking forward to?

Watching my 2 year old son Alex grow up. Being a Dad is the greatest thing in the world.

What couldn’t you live without? Why?

My family and friends, my dog and my music collection; and a computer with a high speed internet connection of course.

Most memorable gig?

In terms of attending a gig, it would probably either be the Stone Roses at Spike Island or Radiohead at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester. The night before Spike Island I'd been to Nottingham to see Graeme Park play at Venus – got completely twatted, then went over to spike island the following day. My mates and I were all feeling rough as fuck, it was torture listening to all the crappy supporting bands, and listening to Frankie Bones DJ'ing, with a continual "Frankie Bones Brooklyn New York" shout-out every five minutes. We were skint, had no weed or much money to buy drinks. It felt like forever waiting for the Roses to come on. Though all that was forgotten when they took the stage and opened up with "I Wanna be Adored". In terms of enjoyment Radiohead was much better, I'm a massive fan of theirs and I was in the mosh-pit going mad for the whole set.

In terms of playing gigs, In my younger days I used to play at various bars and clubs around Grimsby & Cleethorpes (my home town) and also occasionally at gigs in Hull, Sheffield, Nottingham and Manchester. Probably the most memorable was a party that we put on for my 21st Birthday in Grimsby. There were probably 500-750 there and the whole place was going mental the whole night, dancing on the tables, air-horns, crowd-chanting etc. etc. To be perfectly honest though I've always been much happier playing at after parties, where I can play the stuff that I really love, without having to worry about keeping a dance floor going.

Who/what are your influences?

There are so many its difficult to know where to start. Other than family and friends, on a musical front I'd say David Bowie, Paul Weller, Radiohead, Gomez, Gil Scott-Heron, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan, Kirk Degiorgio, Carl Craig, Theo Parrish, Moodymann, Maurice Fulton, The Idjut Boys, Pal Joey, FK, Rejji Burrell, Bobby Konders, Mike Huckaby, Patrice Scott, Move D, Ashley Beedle, Mudd, Quiet Village, Henrik Schwarz, King Britt and Don Carlos.

What is the best and worst thing about the city that you live in?

Once you have children I think your priorities change with regards to what makes a good or bad place to live. I've lived in some crappy places like Luton, Dunstable, Darwen and some great places Harpenden, and best of all Sydney, Australia for a year. Last year I moved to a very small village in Yorkshire. The best thing is it’s a nice place with very little crime and will be a good environment for my son to grow up in. I suppose the worst thing is that it’s a bit quiet and sterile.

Given the accelerated pace of modern culture, what are we due a revival in?

I hate to say this but I can see there being a revival of interest in the early house scene. It always seems that popular culture always looks back 20 years to revive whatever was big then.

Personally I hate looking back. Whilst it’s always great to hear some old disco or funk gem on someone's mix and then track it down, my primary focus is always on listening to as much new music as possible to unearth the new stuff. I don't agree with people who say things on forums such as "House Music is Dead" and only ever talk about the old stuff. I think this just shows up a lazy attitude to finding new music. I truly believe that there is always great new music coming out, you just need to search through a lot of shit to find it.

Hero? Why?

The Manchester United midfielder - Paul Scholes. Whilst he's nearly at the end of his career now, he has been THE outstanding English player of the last decade. Aside from being a class apart in terms of his ability and football brain, he is also completely unassuming – which is a rare thing for footballers these days.

Is there anything else that you feel that we should know?

I don't think so. Of course you can always keep a look out for new mixes on the trackwerk website, which is updated on a frequent basis.

Scott is the co-founder of trackwerk.net (along with his mate Carl). The site has been running now for 3.5 years and has provided over 200 mixes in that time, including lots of varied guests such as Bill Brewster, Greg Wilson, Dublex Inc., Inverse Cinematics, Blackbelt Anderson, Adam Goldstone (RIP), Mudd and many more from joint residents Paul “Balaerik Soul” Williams and Sean “Rotter3*” Johnston.

KUMOWERK

Tracklist

Inohs Sivad – Somewhere Else
Soulphiction – I Just Wait (Radio Edit)
Gogo – A Nova Estrela (Kirk Degiorgio Mix)
Quiet Village – Desperate Hours
Matias Aguayo – Radiotaxi
The Mole – TBA
Linkwood Family – Miles Away
Underground Orchestra - Solaris Eremit
Rod Modell - Temple
Off-World-Ensemble featuring Tony Allen – Dance of Loa

Download the mix here.

Some pictures from Egon's visit.

A few months ago Eothen Alapatt aka Egon came to the school to talk to the kids all of which was documented here, and I've just been sent these pictures from the night. A bit random but might be of some interest.


Josh introducing Eothen. I should really get over to Josh's room and take a picture, he's got all his mom's records on the walls - Gil Scott-Heron, Jean Luc Ponty, Stevie Wonder, Hugh Masakela, WAR and loads of other tasty bits on there.


Brett on the right has just got himself a full set-up and bought some Fela Kuti records, nowt wrong with that is there?


Eothen


Apparently Eothen wore his hair like Barış Manço at one point.

Massive thanks to Eothen for coming down.

THE RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY TURNS TEN!

APPLICATION PHASE FOR BARCELONA 2008 NOW OPEN

March 14 – May 05, 2008

Workshop Term 1: September 21 – October 03, 2008

Workshop Term 2: October 12 – October 24, 2008

It’s double digits for the annual Red Bull Music Academy. The tenth Academy hits Barcelona this autumn and they are now accepting applications from passionate producers, singers and DJs who want access to mind-blowing lectures and access to jaw-dropping studio equipment. The Academy takes place during September and October and applications can be made between March 14th and May 5th 2008 at Redbull Music Academy.

Each year two groups of thirty participants cherry-picked from all over the world – there have been house DJs from Khazakstan, hip hop producers from Colombia and multi-instrumentalists from New Zealand – are accepted into the Academy for a fortnight-long term. They are joined by a colourful list of musicians and musical experts who share studio tips and the stories behind the tunes during informal lectures and lab lessons. Gigs are then played by the guests and Academy attendees in different venues around the city.


Legendary drummer Tony Allen at Red Bull Music Academy Toronto

The Red Bull Music Academy first opened its doors in 1998 and has become a platform for those who shape our sonic future. Since then over 450 pioneers of modern music have spoken at its various editions held around the globe including ‘90s hip hop godfather DJ Premier, Planet Rock producer Arthur Baker and The Mizell Brothers as well as a host of young producers from Sinden to Skream. In addition, many of the 600 alumni have gone on to collaborate with the experts they met at the Academy and have written albums or started their own labels. Previous participants include Buraka Son Sistema, Mr. Hudson and the Library, Aloe Blacc and Flying Lotus.


World's youngest DMC winner and currently Kanye West's DJ (don't hold that against him) A-Trak at the Academy. (His brother is in Chromeo fact-finders)

Traveling to a new location every year The Red Bull Music Academy has previously touched down in Cape Town, Berlin, San Paulo, Melbourne and Toronto. Each editing involves setting up a bespoke campus filled with local art, and building both a live recording room and a labyrinth of studios – and filling a borrowing-room with desirable synths, samplers and keyboards ready to be borrowed by the participants.


M.I.A. at the Academy

Applicants must be passionate about music, have a desire to learn and share ideas and be 18 before September 21 2008. Once the application process is completed, successful applications will be invited to participate in one of two terms: September 21 – October 03, 2008 or October 12 – October 24, 2008 in Barcelona.Download your applications here.



For those interested in finding out more about The Red Bull Music Academy check out RBMA Radio for on-demand access to over 500 exclusive shows, mixes, live feeds, tribute sets, guest DJs and interviews, as well as lecture podcasts from some of the Academy’s most inspirational guests. All information and lectures are also available at Redbull Music Academy.


In addition as part of this year's Red Bull Music Academy programme, Karen P's Broadcasting welcomes Ethio-jazz originator Mulatu Astatke for a one-off live date at London's Cargo on Thursday 17th April, his first gig in the city for 15 years. The night will be recorded especially for Red Bull Music Academy Radio.

I'd give my right arm to see Mulatu live but being miles away in California means it isn't going to happen. If you're there, GO! Don't think debate it, just GO! Buy his records as well, they're immense.

Gorillaz tear MTV Cribs a new one.

I loathe MTV cribs as it just proves that money can't buy you class as most of the houses are absolute horror shows and the show has been crying out for someone to take the piss out of it. Step right up Gorillaz creator Jamie Hewlett who hilariously took the ball and ran with it in this biting video. Very funny.

Mathew Dear - Deserter

When I first heard that Matthew Dear aka Audion aka False aka Jabberjaw was doing an album of songs I was immensely sceptical as to wether or not he'd be able to pull it off as it seemed like a big task for someone who was best known for making linear techno but I shouldn't have feared as his album Asa Breed turned out to be one of the best albums from any genre last year. I particularly like Deserter, which was a record that I thought a lot more of the balearic crowd would get behind but I didn't see it featured in many playlists last year. Lyrically it's very good and musically it is off the charts. Its not every day that you hear a record from start to finish and think that it is too short and I definitely think that Deserter could go on for a bit longer, which is why I have taken to doubling it up like a proper DJ. You truly should buy the album if you haven't already, with records like Don & Sherry (which sounds immense in it's DJ Koze remixed form) amongst a crop of superb cuts it will be money very well spent.


Matthew Dear - Deserter

Check this video for Don & Sherry done by New York's Plus et Plus for some linear film-making at its best.

One Hundred Project : Dano

What is on your stereo at the moment?

Baris K Eurasia mixes part 1 & 2 - amazing music! David Axelrod - Heavy Axe, History Clock - Gamma Model (on my pc)

3 records that changed your life. Why?

Adam and the Ants - Kings of the Wild Frontier - I was 8, and obsessed.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Two Tribes - first 12 I bought

Sabres of Paradise - Smokebelch - drugs!

What are you looking forward to?

The summer and some nice Suono parties.

What couldn't you live without? Why?

My kids, Albie & Renie, nuff said!

Most memorable gig?

Playing records with Antony Daly is generally always an experience! We uphold the highest standards of professionalism!

Pavement very early 90's at the Riverside was one of the best gigs I've seen, or Dee Dee Bridgewater a couple of years ago was fantastic, amazing woman.

Who/what are your influences?

Was always into what Weatherall does, haven't listened to his music for years, but always liked his attitude. I skated for years, and have always been into what Mark Gonzales does.

What is the best and worst thing about the city that you live in?

The coastline and countryside round Newcastle are great, musically it's a pain in the arse to promote things here, very conservative tastes, with not many venues to go round. If I see another 'underground house' night spring up I might just kill myself.

Given the accelerated pace of modern culture, what are we due a revival in?

Late 90's dad house?

Hero? Why?

Not sure I've got any, bit old for heroes.

Is there anything else that you feel that we should know?

Suono Sundays, Sunday 4th of May at the Tanners, Byker 5-12 come early it's the best bit!!

Dan runs Suono with Tony, and together they have been throwing irregular parties in the Toon since 2004 when they kicked off with no less than Greg Wilson behind the wheels and since then they have gone on to throw various mini riots up and down Newcastle with the likes of A Certain Ratio, the Idjuts and the 20:20 Soundsystem. Since 2005 they have made the Tokyo Bar their home away from home on Sundays and people such as Danny Webb, Moonboots, Kelvin Andrews, Phil Mison and Ashley Beedle have come down and joined in the seven hours of revelry and boozin'. Suono also hosts a room at Error_ where they've brought Phil Mison and Balearic Mike up to Newcastle, to play old disco records to a crowd of young modern house and techno heads.

Dan can always be relied upon to dig through the record bargain bins for lost treasures and the mix that he has done for the One Hundred Project is indicative of this.

TRACKLISTING

Letta Mbulu - Pula Yetla
Corduroy - In a Galaxy (wrong speed)
Mudd edit
Neil Merryweather - Step in the Right Direction
Athon - Le Feuok
Blo - Dont take her away... (Akwaaba mix)
Black Viking - Body Work
Hypertension - One Night Woman
Space Girl (Dancing Girl edit)
Timmy Thomas - Why (Pressure Drop)

Download the mix here.

Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

Living in Southern California has been a bit of an adjustment to living in Lancashire, weather aside the biggest change has been in access and introduction to new music. In the United Kingdom I was ravenous, everywhere I went I'd invariably be introduced to records that I would spend my hard-earned on, be it in a basement or shopping in the Northern Quarter. Out here I've tried listening to the radio and beyond KCRW the programming and content is absolutely dire. I don't get KCRW up here where I live but when I lived in Long Beach I would listen to a couple of shows a week, especially Liza Richardson's shows at the weekend. Check the DJ picks from their broadcasting staff and you'll see that quality was quite high there and not your usual highly regimented Clear Channel driven playlists that the other channels suffer from.

Having said all that, the other week when my wife and I went back to Long Beach to visit some friends one of the DJs played this Death Cab For Cutie song 3 times in a row, which is normally broadcasting suicide but this definitely caught our attention, and with the wife having dragged me off to see them in Manchester, and with my expectations admittedly very low, I was blown away by their professionalism and craft on stage. I have seen a lot of bands in my life from the truly dire to the utterly sublime and Death Cab For Cutie are certainly as good as they get.

This record kicks off with a long four minute plus intro that should appeal to all the balearic heads out there, well at least Jeffo will get it, and when the vocal comes in the lyrics aren't your typical throwaway rubbish but rather heartfelt, well thought out and intelligent, which lets face it is not the norm. Even if this isn't your normal thing I implore you to have a listen to it as you just might find that you really like it, like I do.

Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

Quiet Village - Pacific Rhythm

Quiet Village are Joel Martin and Matt Edwards whose debut and long-awaited album Silent Movie is about to drop on Germany's !K7 in a couple of weeks. They previously released their singles on the frustratingly limited Whatever We Want Records and here is an article on the label that ran in the Guardian, which makes for very interesting reading. I've posted the supreme Too High To Move in a previous post and while it is still my favourite Quiet Village record Pacific Rhythm is a very welcome addition to my collection. No idea what the sample source is, or how they cleared it, but it has 'end of the night stunner' written all over it. With it's well placed strings, slo meandering drum lines and uplifting lyrics and especially the way how the vocal gets vocodered at the end this would easily result in hugs aplenty at the end of an emotional and rewarding night amongst the throngs on a dancefloor. Dy-no-mite!

Quiet Village - Pacific Rhythm


Balearic Mike told me in Vinyl Exchange that Joel's record collection makes his own look like it has 'L-plates' on it and to prove it here are his top 20 disco records of all time.

One Hundred Project : Danny Webb

What is on your stereo at the moment?

Erykah Badu LP, Notorious Hi Fi Killers, Nick Cave, I'm Not There OST, Doo Wop Delights, Valet and Luminaries.

3 records that changed your life.

Blondie - Heart Of Glass, the first record I bought.
Genaside II - Nara Mine, first proper E experience.
Guilty - Streisand / Gibb, massive favourite of my mum and me and a soundtrack to early life in the Webb household.

What are you looking forward to?

Finishing work, getting back in the studio, a pint or two and finally finding a nice room for my records again.

What couldn’t you live without? Why?

Insulin is pretty up there, I am Diabetic. Friends, life would also be rubbish without weed or music and alcohol.

Most memorable gig?

Dead Meadow Green Man 07. THE most drugfucked, intense concert I have been to, opened the lid of my head, shat inside it and closed the top, that band can play.

Who/what are your influences?

Streisand, Commodores, Beatles, Talking Heads / David Byrne. But mostly I would say my influences come from the very close network of musical fanatics that turn me onto amazing records on a daily basis.

What is the best and worst thing about the city that you live in?

Best thing is that it's where I grew up, I know it inside out, am totally comfortable here, and I actually love the dour greyness of manchester, in particular the Autumn time.
Worst thing is it's constant musical regression, perpetuated by money grabbing student nights and promoters who have no other idea than late 80's early 90's manchester.

Given the accelerated pace of modern culture, what are we due a revival in?

I think all this street gymnastics that the kids are doing will mutate into one massive city wide game of Ralivo.

Hero? Why?

Don't do heroes, My mum is a fucking trooper though, love her dearly, she comes closest.

Is there anything else that you feel that we should know?

Well, I killed a duck once and left it's 12 chicks without a mother. I'm still paying mentally.



Danny started DJing in 1992 at The City Road Inn and then went on to promote a night called Kudos at Manchester Underground before moving onto Faded Alien at 10 Bar and occasionally he still resurrects Music Is Better and the ridiculously good Friends Of Music nights. Currently he is one of the bods behind El Diablos Social Club and after starting work at Piccadilly in 2003 he has been firmly entrusted with buying and sourcing the records that you spend your hard-earned on week in and week out.

Danny Webb - Stoned Alone at the Monday Club

TRACKLISTING

Sorry, no tracklisting.

Download the mix here. (Mix is hosted on Deepsoul3, check their site out for more mixes from the balearic guard.)

Parra

It's been a while since I did a piece on art and seeing as the original intention of the blog was not just to be solely music-based but rather to spread my wings over all forms of popular culture, I thought it was high time that we took an albeit brief look at another artist that I greatly admire. I'm going to try and make these sorts of posts a lot more frequent in the weeks to come.



Pieter Janssen, more commonly known as Parra, is the man behind those hand-drawn flat posters and prints that have been garnering a huge following the world over amongst the new bohemian streetwear-enthused hippie jetset and for good reason as his bold humor-filled designs are just the kick in the arse the overly serious art world needs. He's sold out shows in London and Los Angeles, which was at the HVW8 gallery, and recently his work has graced the cover of Juxtapoz magazine. If you see a poster of his on the streets anywhere take a picture because it won't be around long. This is his bio that I resourcefully plucked off the internet for your convenience, "An underground star in his hometown of Amsterdam, where fans scour the streets to tear down his posters, Parra's work is treasured by a new generation of design fanatics. A natural self taught Typographer and Graphic Artist, Parra grew up living with his artist father. Surrounded by colour, oil paint, wood, & Rubenesque paintings he immersed himself in early nineties music and street culture, developing the unique style he's know for today. Taking a handfull of selected commercial design jobs every year Parra prefers to make the bulk of his output flyers, posters & identities for friends & admirers, making his work available for everyone to use, keep or discard as they wish. His first solo gallery show, Jobs I did for friends for under £100 took place at London's Kemistry Gallery in March 2005 and sold out in three days. Hugely prolific, Parra also designs his own streetwear label, Rockwell clothing, launched in 2000 and stocked in London, Tokyo, Berlin and New York. "


His studio above his store in Amsterdam.


One of the many record sleeves that he has done in recent times. I've even gone as far as collecting these even though the music doesn't always tick the right boxes, which is quite a sad thing to admit in all truth.

You can read the interviews at Fecal Face or at XLR8R to dive even deeper into the man's mindset. What I really like about him is that he proves that the early bird doesn't always get the worm but that the night owl makes a killing as well.

Besides the myriad of cool shit that he produces and sells through the Rockwell Clothing website, he has also turned his hand to two designs for the seriously on it Stones Throw record label and they are the item de rigueur up here at the Academy after Egon made a killing after his talk a few weeks back.





These are words that every designer has heard and wanted to spit fire immediately afterwards. Tragically funny.

This is the music video that he did for his band Le Le Musique, it is as bonkers as I was hoping that it would be and then some.



The only thing that upsets me about Parra is the way he stores his records...

Some ideas...

Not really sure what to say about this in all truth. Max Knight built this for Yorgo Tloupas (I swear that's a real name and not a figment of my imagination) and what the point of it is, I'm not sure. Worth watching the guy try to ride it.