Music For Dummies

The New Testament Of Funk EP (vinyl only)

2009-09-21T03:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a great Acid Jazz 7inch, as a complementary to the "New Testament of Funk" funky breaks series. This is a vinyl-only release and it contains three killer tracks unavailable elsewhere.

Enjoy and don't forget to drop a comment!

Parov Stelar - Coco (promo selection)

2009-08-20T01:26:00.000-07:00

OK, this isn't a "music-for-dummies" usual practice but Parov Stelar's forthcoming album (9th September) titled "Coco" will be great; so, here's a small selection of the 26 track double CD to be released. The music is very nice (I especially found the "True Romance" track very enjoyable). For more info, pay a visit to this page, where you can listen to the tracks online.

This post is only to PROMOTE the album and the artist (who's on tour at the moment - I'll be catching up with him on September 18th at the ReWorks Festival, Thessaloniki); it is not meant to be a "leaked" release (it isn't a full album and this blog doesn't adopt such practice after all). Buy the album when it's released and support the artists by going to their gigs.

It will be removed upon request, of course

I should Coco!

ACID JAZZ vol II

2009-02-02T00:27:00.000-08:00

This is the second volume of this great compilation. Expect the same quality. Jack McDuff, Billy Butler, Melvin Sparks, Charles Earland, Idris Muhammad and other funky players offering top-notch grooves.

Part III will be upped soon. Enjoy!

Acid Jazz II

ACID JAZZ vol I

2009-01-27T23:53:00.001-08:00

OK, this is one of the greatest compilations to emerge from the "rare grooves" revival era and it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO with the "Acid Jazz" label - so don't be fooled by the title!

I bought volumes I and II on vinyl somewhere in 1996 in Leeds and they have been on my everyday playlist for many years (still are!!!). Later, I found out that the CD versions had 2 or even 3 bonus tracks compared to the vinyl versions (I would expect this to be the other way around, really) and therefore I HAD to buy them on CD, too!

All volumes contain a range of Killer Grooves from the Prestige vaults by artists such as Charles Earland, Gene Ammons, Houston person, Boogaloo Joe Jones, Funk Inc, Pucho and loads more. We are talking about funky and soulful cuts that can lift you up the very moment you start listening to them! I also find them extremely handy during my DJ sets!

This compilation consists of 3 volumes (as far as I know) and they are all of consistently high quality. They are also a good starting point for those new to the sound of the artists included.

I'd recommend buying this compilation; it should be part of every music collection!

Enjoy!!!

Acid Jazz I

PS: volumes II and III will be upped soon!

ZEPHYR - Zephyr

2009-01-26T22:55:00.001-08:00

Zephyr. I was eager to purchase that album mainly because I admired Tommy Bolin's playing with Billy Cobham (in the amazing "Spectrum") and with Deep Purple in "Come Taste The Band" (Deep Purple have never been among my favourites-I only liked their MKI albums to be honest). I had also read somewhere that Zephyr were fronted by a female singer whose voice was very much like Janis Joplin's, only louder and harsher.
After the very first spin, I was amazed at the musicianship but disappointed with Candie Givens' voice. She's actually trying too hard to sound like Janis Joplin and the results are...ehm...crap, really. There are songs in which her pretentious falsetto is simply unbearable to listen to. Shame, because the rest of the band really kicks ass playing a blend of blues and hard rock with jazz elements. Anyway, maybe some of you appreciate what I haven't so far. Again, the musicianship level is really high and it's only the vocals that really get on my nerves... I'd like to know if anyone's got a different opinion, actually.

Rip is in 192kbps (sorry for that but I ripped it ages ago, when bitrate was ...a secondary consideration). Sound quality is very good though, don't worry!

Enjoy!

Zephyr

PS: I would appreciate some comments; after all they're the only reason for this blog to keep going. Don't be a dummy, drop me a line!

VASHTI BUNYAN - Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind (CD 1)

2009-01-26T00:22:00.000-08:00

OK, I know i'ts been almost 10 months since I last uploaded anything on this blog! Long time, surely, but now that I've got a (damn slow) Internet connection at home makes things a little bit easier.

I've been really into psychedelic folk the last few months and I managed to find some gems I've been lookin' for. Vashti Bunyan's songs are definitely some of my favourites. I bought this double compilation from a local shop and it seemingly includes all songs Vashti Bunyan recorded - either in a proper studio or at home. The compilation consists of two CDs and this is the first CD, including her most impressive stuff with songs such as "Winter Is Blue" and the "Train Song". Nice voice, nice lyrics and a convincing performance by John Bunyan's alleged descendant.

The 2nd CD of the compilation will be upped soon. The CD case includes a fine booklet in which Vashti herself speaks about her songs. I definitely recommend buying the original compilation, since it's also got great artwork and loads of photos.

Vashti Bunyan

Enjoy!

PS: I don't usually post CD rips but I haven't set up my vinyl ripping equipment yet, since I moved in to another house very recently. Don't worry though, rare and OOP vinyl albums are on their way! Stay tuned!

PS 2: Many of the albums posted in this blog have been removed by Mediafire, as part of the usual "copyright infringement" policy. I have decided not to reup those (mainly for being extremely time-consuming to reup). I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. But, hey, grab them at a record shop if you find them and support your artists!

PS 3: Drop by this blog's little brother, Sampler's delight, for some strange 45 rpm rips!

HOUSTON PERSON - Goodness!

2008-04-09T01:57:00.000-07:00

The "commercialization" of jazz during the 60s and the 70s was reflected in three major labels: Blue Note, Prestige & Verve. These labels had managed to sign a bunch of great jazz musicians who, in turn, made albums that promoted a new style in jazz, more bluesy, soul and "poppy" to appeal to a wider audience. That was a good move, guys! Along with the eclectic bop genre, those new jazz approaches made their way to a less musically-inclined audience, thus making jazz less elitistic and more understandable. Above all, the "soul-jazz" genre brought back the dance element that jazz had been deprived of by the eclecticism of be-bop and hard-bop.

Houston Person was one of those cats, a straight-forward sax player who had recorded for Prestige and later began his 30-year collaboration with the late Etta James. His Prestige albums contain all those elements that led to the emergence of the term "acid-jazz": passionate bluesy solos, dancefloor aesthetics and electric instruments. "Goodness!" was his most successful album.

Overall, the six tracks featured in this release are simple yet soulful cuts and straight-forward enough to be enjoyable to everybody, regardless of their musical knowledge. And this is how music should be, IMHO.

Let the music fly you away!!!
(vinyl rip-320kbps)

THE CRYSTAL MANSION - The Crystal Mansion

2008-03-31T02:54:00.000-07:00

There is always a little story behind every record posted here, so bear with me!
I bought this album in 1998 at Leeds. I found it in a small shop that had opened very close to my house. The shop was at Brudenell Road, Hyde Park and it used to sell every kind of second hand stuff such as flares and retro gadgets in general, as part of the sixties/seventies revival that had taken over England as a trend in those days. The owners were very polite but they hadn't a clue about rare records!!! The price of this album was 2 quid (we are talking about original pressing gatefold vinyl with lyrics included)!!! I grabbed it immediately (I had been looking for it for a while) and I also bought a couple of other original vinyls at ridiculous prices (Golden Earring's "Moontan" and Amon Duul II's "Dance Of The Lemmings" were among them).

The Crystal Mansion were a band signed to Rare Earth Records (a subsidiary of Motown) and they were one of the numerous "white soul-funk" bands of the label. Their music is kinda anodyne and, to be honest with you, I was a little bit disappointed by the album, since I expected it to be funkier. Nevertheless, it contained some nice tracks such as the real funky "Somebody (Outta Turn Your Head Around)" and "Let Me Get Straight Again". The latter was a funky anti-drug confession of a fucked-up pothead. I used to play that track every day, for quite a while. It was somehow connected to my life and thoughts at the time.

Unfortunately, most tracks are rather prosaic and they lack energy (...mind you, my tastes are a bit eclectic) but I am sure that some of you will consider it an interesting album. It is fairly rare to find (especially on vinyl) but if you dig, you should go and buy the CD reissue.

The Crystal Mansion

RAY CONNIFF presents Irving Berlin - Dreaming Of Broadway

2008-03-26T02:55:00.000-07:00

Ray Conniff. Yes! With this guy, you got it all: massive horn arrangements, space age pop attitude, light 'n dreamy vocals, musical, theatre and jazz, jazz, jazz!
Here is a really nice 45 from the man and his orchestra, with four quality tracks. I ripped it on a bad day but it made me feel better! Simply great music from another time.

I will actually let the liner notes to do the talking (click to enlarge):

Dreaming Of Broadway

INDIA NATIONAL SITAR ENSEMBLE - Sitar Music Of India

2008-03-23T03:32:00.000-07:00

Get ready for a real treat. This brilliant vinyl (which I bought quite a few years ago but managed to listen to relatively recently) contains three tracks of original Indian music performed by the ...appropriately named India National Sitar Ensemble. Two of them form a suite that contains numerous different themes (many of them are really complicated and beautifully arranged) and the third one is a great Meditational Raga, ready to transport you to another planet! All thanks to the obscure Everest Records (can any of you provide any information on this label?) who presented us with this extraordinary album.

The vinyl is Out Of Print and I am pretty sure that there has been no reissue of it on CD. Anyway, we are talking about great music here, people. Don't miss it and don't be intimidated by the style of the recording (it's quite old, you see). And, if you stumble upon the original vinyl, do yourself a favour and buy it.

Kick Off

[320kbps (click & pop elimination) + artwork]

ATOMIC ROOSTER - Land Of Freedom

2008-02-23T04:04:00.000-08:00

There you go. A 12inch by Vincent Crane and his pack, promoting the 1983 "Headline News" album. Dave Gilmour is on the guitar, as far as I remember (there are no details on the sleeve, unfortunately). Both tracks ("Land Of Freedom" and "Carnival") are distant, dark and chaotic in places. Nice one.

Try It

THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS - Girls Go Wild!

2008-02-20T03:25:00.000-08:00

Get ready for some Texas blues, people. Our respect to the late John Fahey and his Takoma label for bringing us exceptional music. The Fabulous Thunderbirds are an electric blues band with Jimmy Vaughan (brother of Stevie Ray) on guitar, Kim Wilson on vocals and harmonica, Keith Ferguson on bass and Mike Buck on drums. Leslie-driven guitars, swamp grooves, snarling harmonicas and bawdy (check "Scratch My Back") blues covers as well as originals, are all in here. Good stuff.

I bought this album back in 1996 for 2 quid from a small record shop at the ground floor of the Corn Exchange building in Leeds. I had bought some 90 lps from there before the shop finally closed down. Shame.

Note: this is a vinyl rip at 320 kbps

Enjoy!

HOOKFOOT - Hookfoot

2008-02-19T02:54:00.000-08:00

Hookfoot were Elton John's backing band in the seventies featuring the musical minds of Caleb Quaye, Ian Duck, Dave Glover and Roger Pope. They released four albums as a band (as far as I know) and they played a blend of blues and rock, quite often influenced by folk-rock artists of their time. This is their debut album featuring original songs as well as two covers, Stephen Stills' "Bluebird (a major hit for Buffalo Springfield)" and Neil Young's "Don't Let It Bring You Down". Both tracks are given a rockier edge. The album contains a few tracks to keep you interested (always according to my taste), namely the a-fore-mentioned and "Mystic Lady".

I bought this vinyl in 1996 in Leeds and, although it was supposed to be relatively rare, it was only priced for 50p, probably because the worn-out cover made the salesman think that the record was in bad condition too. Lucky bastard I was then!!! If you happen to be a retro freak, a record digger or a purist like me, try to find the original vinyl.

Rip is in 320 kbps. A few clicks and pops are present but nothing really to worry about.

Try it here and enjoy!

GOMEZ - Machismo EP

2008-02-10T02:29:00.000-08:00

Having already mentioned that Gomez are among my favourites, this is an EP they issued back in 2000 with 5 tracks, all wrapped-up in eco-paper decorated with those quasi-impressionist paintings. They once again combine acoustic melodies with great lyrics and scattered sample spells. "Touchin' Up" and "The Dajon Song" are my picks from this EP with the latter being an extended psychedelic blues jam, slow and creepy.

I bought this CD during my last year in Leeds, England (2000-2001) from a nice little record shop called "The Polar Bear", up in the Headingley area. Good 'ole days they were. I wonder if the shop is still there. Anyway, I have been known for my tendency to digress so I'll stop here and will let you enjoy the music. And enjoyable it is, believe me.

Indulge here

David Shire - 2010 Original Soundtrack

2008-02-03T02:38:00.001-08:00

David Shire is among my top-notch composers. His music for films such as Coppola's "The Conversation" is truly great and shows his unbelievable ability to write themes that haunt you for ages. 2010 is an eighties sci-fi film with Roy Scheider. For the soundtrack, Shire uses synthesisers and other electronic devices of the time and, although I am not really into this kind of sound (I usually prefer "real" instruments, you see), the results are amazing. Apart from Strauss' well-known "Thus Spoke Zarathustra (in which Shire employs Police's Andy Summers for the guitar parts), the rest is atmospheric incidental music; yet it stands proudly on its own, without the need of watching the film.

I ripped the album from the original vinyl (which I bought for as much as 13 Euros) and I also scanned the cover. The only problem is that my scanner is too small for a vinyl cover to fit in, so I scanned the front cover in two parts. If any of you knows how to overlap them into a single cover, please do so and send me a link of the jpg, if possible.

Rip is 320kbps

Enjoy!!!

2010

Seks Bomba - Operation B.O.M.B.A.

2008-01-22T00:37:00.000-08:00

It looks like a soundtrack but it isn't. Yet, it could have easily been one. Seks Bomba are a Boston award-winning band and they play an excellent multi-layered blend of spy themes, space age lounge, go go beat and hammond grooves. Their singer sounds like a sarcastic crooner and their technical abilities are out of this world. Operation B.O.M.B.A. contains captivating retro songs as well as many frantic instrumentals. Check out the "Seks Bomba Theme" to see what I mean. You can also visit their website here. The surprising thing is that Seks Bomba seem to be relatively unknown outside their homeland. In fact, it was exceptionally hard for me to find their album down here in Greece. I visited many record shops until I managed to find one where they ordered it for me and it arrived a couple of months later!!! Nevertheless, no matter how hard it can be to find their album, it is definitely worth a try. Go buy it, guys, and support Seks Bomba.

Operation B.O.M.B.A.

Nick Drake - The Complete Lost Recordings

2008-01-18T02:52:00.000-08:00

No introduction needed. Nick Drake is, IMO, the greatest and most soulful of all folk guitarists/songwriters. What's more, the words of his songs are not merely lyrics: they are POETRY, great, introspective, fragile poetry. His music has been my company for more than ten years; yet, every time I listen to his songs, I feel like it's the first time. There isn't even a single song by Nick Drake that I don't like. All of them are perfect...

I bought this album after I had collected all his official releases. It contains songs which he recorded at home (hence the bad sound quality) and he allegedly gave them to his mother as a present. Most of them are covers, played in that standard folk fingerpicking style. It is a collection of songs that fully represents his influences. An early glimpse at the work of a genius.

Enjoy

Part 1

Part 2

Album Artwork

The Green Bullfrog Sessions

2007-12-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

I wasn't actually sure where to classify this. Most tracks are in the Northern Soul vein, yet personnel hails from other genres. Anyway.... Fans of Ritchie Blackmore would probably know this album. It was recorded in 1970 in De Lane Lea studios, London, and it allegedly began as a session jam. Ritchie Blackmore, Albert Lee, Big Jim Sullivan & Tony Ashton are among the musicians. It was produced by Derek Lawrence and engineered by Martin Birch. The tracks are mostly in the Northern Soul style, as I mention above, and production quality is fairly good. The musicians are in a loose form and Blackmore doesn't really sound very decent, since he manages to overindulge in those fast-and-tedious riffs as well as tremolo bar abuse. I, personally, prefer soul music played by musicians who have an actual understanding of the particular groove. And the musicians in this album don't have it, in my opinion. Simply because their actual genre is quite different. I bought the particular album in green vinyl (1991 reissue) and it contains some extra tracks from the vaults. Rip is in 224kbps and I have also scanned all the notes from the sleeve.

Get it here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?cnerdnmzylx

Link Wray - The Swan Demos (1964)

2007-12-24T02:05:00.001-08:00

I bought this vinyl album a few years ago, for a very small price. It contains alternative takes and out-takes of otherwise known tunes by that great surf-axeman, Link Wray. I lent the album to a friend who inconsiderately left it in his car one very hot summer's day and, subsequently, the vinyl got warped and so did my mind. Luckily, I had managed to rip the record before it became redundant. The original vinyl had no cover, as it came in a simple black cardboard sleeve. Thus, I scanned the vinyl tag. Encoding quality is very high and, apart from a few clicks and pops, you'll be able to enjoy this great album. Try to locate the vinyl (there has been no CD reissue of this) and if you find two copies, please let me know!!!

Get it here

STEREOLAB - Emperor Tomato Ketchup

2007-09-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you mix a spoonful of the Free Design with a teaspoonful of flower-pop, sizzle it in krautrock sauce and serve it rare-the-french-way in a post-progressive plate? Stereolab!

The minds of Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier have been presenting us with some of the most innovative, addictive and especially influential music of the 90s. Emperor Tomato Ketchup is my personal favourite, showcasing their ability to write tunes so memorable and catchy that once you hear them, they stick to the back of your brain like bubblegum! Contributions by Sean O' Hagan are found in this album too.

Brilliant music and with political lyrics (both Gane and Sadier are renowned for their left-wing tendencies)

Enjoy, any time of the day!

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?9nb10invb1c

LUCIFER'S FRIEND - Banquet

2007-08-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

OK, the name isn't that cool (or maybe it is, I don't know), the album cover is a bit "over the top" and it comes from the 70s: some would probably dismiss it without giving it a spin. Well, shame on you! We are talking about one of the best albums in the history of rock!!! Five tracks full of extra-terrestrial composing and playing ability!!! They are from Germany, guys, and they know their stuff!!!

Lucifer's Friend were formed in 1970, from the ashes of The Rattles and Asterix. The recruited English singer John Lawton (from the Les Humphries Singers and later replacing David Byron in Uriah Heep) and their eponymous album saw light of day in 1970: a great hard rock debut, much in the likes of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath but infected with that great dark kraut sound of members Peter Hesslein (guitar), Peter Hecht (keyboards), Dieter Horns (bass) and Joachim Rietenbach (drums).

Banquet is their third album and it's not only their best but should be included in the top 10 of rock albums of all time (yeah, I know, many of you will probably disagree but I do not give a damn, honestly!!!). Their sound is very different to their debut, now including far more sophisticated compositions and an entire classical orchestra, too!

The opening track, "Spanish Galleon" is definitely a cornerstone of their genre: an 11-minute epic opening with a funky attitude and evolving into a masterpiece of all kinds. You can even hear a wah wah clarinet and trumpet in there! Lawton's voice is outstanding albeit a bit "too epic". The second track, "Thus Spoke Oberon" is not from this earth! Piano, eerie voice and lyrics and a bloody great instrumental break at stellar speed in the middle!!! "Sorrow" is another epic masterpiece of electric piano madness and orchestral mayhem!!! The album has its pop moments too, notable for the time produced.

Give it a proper listen (a few spins are necessary for its conception) and you will end up begging for more!!!

Enjoy (you will, you will!!!)

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?2inykbb1pxn

ROBERT WYATT - Old Rottenhat

2007-08-27T02:04:00.000-07:00

Old Rottenhat is one of the cheapest vinyls I've ever bought. It was only 3 euros, from the Thessaloniki fleamarket (the guy selling it was a sleazy antiques douche, he wanted to sell it for 5 euros but I bargained as hard as I could!). I previously had it on tape but it wore out during the years.

To the point: Wyatt's inspired songwriting is prevalent in this LP which contains some of his best songs to date. His sad voice and political lyrics make for a great blend of near-ambient soundscapes. Echoes of Wyatt's work with the Soft Machine are scattered in the album. Robert Wyatt is probably one of the few remaining 70s musicians whose music isn't pretentious but rather seminal. Grab this album immediately if you come across it.

Note: this is a vinyl rip which I mastered myself (including hiss and crackle elimination). Sound quality is very good.

Enjoy!

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?3g9mgzfimdj

JIMMY SMITH - Prayer Meetin'

2007-08-25T01:04:00.000-07:00

No need to say much about Jimmy Smith; I'm sure most of you are aware of his genius. As for those of you who haven't heard of him, grab this album (and anything from his Blue Note years) and indulge in some of the finest hammond-driven jazz & funk.

Prayer Meetin' was recorded in 1963, at a time when Jimmy Smith had switched to the organ/guitar/drums/sax combo (Quentin Warren and Kenny Burrell were frequently employed for the guitarist position while the late Stanley Turrentine was always present with his thick tone on the sax). The album ranges from incessant soul-jazz grooves to mellow jazz arrangements. The playing is impeccable (like there was a chance for not being impeccable!) and the band is very tight and groovy. Great music for any time of the day, period.

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?eowevz34bqz

Παύλος Σιδηρόπουλος - Εν Λευκώ / Pavlos Sidiropoulos - 1982 En Lefko

2007-08-23T02:52:00.000-07:00

Pavlos Sidiropoulos is probably the best Greek rock artist. An excellent songwriter who has had collaborated with some of the finest Greek musicians. En Lefko is one of his greatest albums. Greek audiences know him well. As for the non-Greeks, you could read some very general information about him in wikipedia.

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?02dpiznxyje

GUN - Gun (1969)

2007-08-18T01:33:00.000-07:00

Those of you familiar with bands such as the Three Man Army and Baker-Gurvitz Army will probably know Gun, a british heavy rock trio formed by the Curtis Brothers (Adrian & Paul) and Lou Farrell in 1969. Their first album cracked out "Race With The Devil", a classic rock song later covered by many artists (Girlschool's version is definitely my favourite). A second album (Gunsight) followed and then the group disbanded.

Gun's music is heavy rock with attitude and the songs are original and quite interesting as they can not be easily pigeonholed under the mainstream rock category.

I ripped the album from the original vinyl and then I edited it in Cool Edit pro to enhance sound quality (mainly to remove clicks & pops and boost the bass). If you are not happy with the mastering I can always post the unmastered vinyl rip.

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?agyktirdvix

The Cult - Heart Of Soul (CD Single)

2007-08-17T03:45:00.000-07:00

CD containing Heart of Soul in radio edit & acoustic version, Edie (ciao baby) acoustic version & Earth Mofo

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?algoac27bzt

MUKTA - Indian Sitar & World Jazz

2007-08-16T01:17:00.000-07:00

Mukta are a French band that play acoustic jazz fused with indian instruments such as sitar and tamboura. There are moments when their playing is reminiscent of the Cinematic Orchestra or Skalpel (keep in mind that Mukta precede these two bands) but the result sounds more intuitive and relaxed. Of course, the inevitable groove is omnipresent but not to the detriment of the meditating aura of the music.

I bought this double album at one of those "grand" Supermarkets (!!!); it was priced for less than 8 euros, as far as I can recall. There are instances where a quest for a fresh cauliflower leads to unexpected gems, such as this album!

The album consists of 2 CDs, one with the original tracks and a second one with remixes by Sporto Kantes and the Lalo's, among others.

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?aeym9zggndm

Western Swing - Texas 1928-1944 (double album)

2007-08-15T02:34:00.000-07:00

Texas big bands play an incredible mixture of swing and country, creating a sound that was the precursor of Rock 'n Roll. Here are the original liner notes from the double CD:

Western Swing, Texan music born of country, jazz and blues, lies at the root of a major part of Rock'n'Roll and present-day Country Music. Gerard Herzhaft, author of numerous works on country music and the blues — as well as artistic producer of the box set "Country / Nashville-Dallas-Hollywood" —, here presents the world's first an¬thology of a neglected musical form that was nevertheless the major influence in the careers of Bill Haley, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis.
(Patrick Fremeaux, Publisher)

This compilation is a musical journey through the towns of a Texas still pervaded by the frontier mentality. It was here that emerged a specific form of Country Music, strongly influenced by the blues and jazz. Called Western Swing, it would considerably alter the course of American music.

TEXAS, A STATE APART

The American South, with its vast plantations, has always been a cultural melting-pot. Peopled by a mixture of British colonists, African slaves, Choctaw and Cherokee Indians, Spaniards etc., it is an area that gave birth to its own music, a music that around the turn of the century spawned various derivatives we today call blues, gospel or country. After the War of Secession, this musical art of the South had assumed a professional mantle in the form of minstrel shows, troupes of travelling entertainers who frequently made up in blackface. By thus miming the blacks, they could more easily resort to the eccentric and even the frankly licentious. The history of Texas is different. This immense territory, discovered by the Spanish, remained a part of Mexico until 1836, when powerful American ranchers installed there mounted a revolt. A Washington-backed militia led by Sam Houston triumphed in a short war against Mexico, culminating in the proclamation of the independent Republic of Texas, which in 1845 was absorbed into the USA as its 28th State. Alongside the mainly Hispanic ranchers, in the late 19th century the Americans created cotton plantations in the wide-open spaces of a rural eastern Texas strongly drawn towards New Orleans. Cheap black labour flocked into the area. Only with the early 20th-century discovery of oil did Europeans begin to arrive, many of them outcasts of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. The consequence: a basic population of Hispanics, plus a sprinkling of Anglo-Saxons, numerous blacks and a substantial Germanic contingent. Add to that the influence of the cowboy culture of the West and the Cajun culture of the Louisiana swamps, and it becomes evident that Texas is a very different entity from the Old South.

HILLBILLY AND HOT DANCE

While the Appalachian Southeast, the home of Country Music, enforced a strict religious and moral code, Texas was bent on providing uninhibited entertainment for its oil-workers and cowboys in vast dance-halls set up on the fringes of towns like Dallas and San Antonio. When Texan violinist Bob Wills, a musician's son who had grown up on an isolated farm in the company of black share-croppers, decided to become a professional musician, one of his principal models was the influential Emmett Miller, present here in a recording from 1928. Wills was working blackface in a minstrel show when, in 1931, he met guitarist Herman Arnspiger and singer Milton Brown. Together they formed the Aladdin Laddies, and played what would soon be christened "Hot Dance Hillbilly", a style partially influenced by Dixieland jazz and the music of Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti and Jack Teagarden. Soon, Wills and Brown fell out, Wills moving on to form his Texas Playboys and Brown his Musical Brownies. By August 1934, Milton Brown was in San Antonio recording what is generally considered the first Western Swing performance, Talking About You. Bill Boyd and Bob Wills would fairly quickly follow suit.

EARLY WESTERN SWING

The success of Hot Dance Hillbilly (the term Western Swing would not be adopted until the 1940s) opened the way to groups such as Jimmie Revard and His Oklahoma Playboys, The Tune Wranglers, Cliff Bruner's Texas Wanderers and The Light Crust Doughboys, the last with pianist Knocky Parker, who had played as a kid with Blind Lemon Jefferson and was now also operating in a duo with young blues-man T-Bone Walker. Indeed, influenced as much by black bluesmen as by white country-music star Jimmie Rodgers, Western Swing outfits were now playing an increasing number of blues, witness Blues In The Bottle, Milk Cow Blues and the Hillbilly Boys' Dirty Hangover Blues. Another Western Swing specialty was smut (something unimaginable in Nashville Country Music): hence Red's Tight Like That, Pussy Pussy Pussy and the Modern Mountaineers' Everybody's Truckin'. Yet this by no means precluded more innocent items such as cowboy ballads, waltzes, polkas and Appalachian old-time dances. Added to which, Hawaiian music, immensely popular throughout the USA, did not fail to exert its influence here as well. Yet a further influence at work was the Mexican frontier music that inspired the Tune Wranglers' ElRancho Grande, the first of a series of recordings that would culminate in the post¬war Tex Mex style. But the overriding quality of Western Swing was indeed swing, with Bob Wills the undisputed master of the art. Drawing upon the best musicians, many of them jazz players, he moulded his Texas Playboys into a tight, irresistibly swinging outfit. Wills' pre-eminence further increased following the death in a road accident of his big rival, Milton Brown, in 1936. The Musical Brownies did carry on for a short time, led by Milton's brother, Durwood Brown, and one of their recordings was the sad, slow Louise Louise Blues.

WESTERN SWING IN ACTION

While Western Swing was principally dance-hall music (The Crystal Springs Ramblers, for instance, were big favourites in Fort Worth), it also enjoyed huge ex¬posure over the Texan airwaves, generally sponsored by flour and agricultural-machinery manufacturers. And it was this virtually daily activity of live performance that meant groups were not free to travel to New York or Chicago to record. Consequently, the re¬cord companies rigged up makeshift studios in Texas hotel rooms, which explains the precarious recording quality of most 1930s Western Swing sides. But it also explains the incredible atmosphere that reigned at these sessions — free-wheeling, heavy-drinking affairs (Bob Wills was a particularly notorious imbiber), with the musicians comfortably installed, and totally relaxed, on their home territory. This unbridled music soon spread beyond its native Texas and Oklahoma. Invading the Southeast, it established Bob Wills as a big star in the Appalachian region, scandalising a Nashville establishment keen to protect both its musicians and the "purity" of their music. Western Swing artists were branded as drunkards and pornographers (which they often were!), and gradually found themselves banned. But all to no avail: by the end of the 1930s, Western Swing was the most popular form of Country Music all the way from El Paso to Nashville. Jazz remained a crucial component of the genre, while certain Western Swing guitarists were themselves among the early innovators of the electric instrument. Listen, for example, to Zeke Campbell on Blue Guitars, Sidney Buller on Blue Steel Blues, and Eldon Shamblin (with Bob Wills) on Twin Guitar Special. Playing an improvised Dobro laid flat across the knees Hawaiian-fashion, and linking it to a car battery, the Western Swing steel-guitarists invented the pedal steel guitar, one of the most sophisticated instruments in contemporary music. This enabled them to explore totally new sounds, witness the work of Leon McAuliffe, Ted Daffan or Noel Boggs. It was also Western Swing that introduced rhythm sections (and more occasionally brass sections) into Country Music, paving the way for big postwar artists from Merle Travis to Willie Nelson.

ON TOWARDS ROCK'N'ROLL

From Western Swing sprang all major forms of post¬war Country Music such as Honky Tonk, Bluegrass and Country Boogie. Even styles based on a return to tradition refer explicitly to Western Swing, to Texas and to Bob Wills. Furthermore, Cliff Bruner's 1939 Truck Driver's Blues had unleashed a new fashion for truck drivers' songs, still very popular today on all American high¬ways. On this piece (and several others of CD2), the presence will be noted of singer-composer-pianist Moon Mullican, a genuinely two-handed piano player who would be a major influence on 1950s Rock'n'Roll. With Chill Tonic, Pipeliner's Blues, Whatcha Gonna Do?, Draft Board Blues and so many others not included here, early-'40s Western Swing clearly foreshadows the Rock'n'Roll of a decade later. Indeed, Bill Haley would begin his career fronting a Western Swing group, while Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis (a Mullican pupil), Buddy Holly, Wanda Jackson and all the Southern Rock'n'Roll pioneers would find their initial inspiration in Western Swing and Honky Tonk. Rock'n'Roll is often presented as a 1950s fusion of black and white music. In actual fact, that fusion had already occurred in the '30s and '40s, and it is symbolised by Western Swing.

HOLLYWOOD AND THE END OF WESTERN SWING

War and ensuing conscription forced many groups to disband, while the spread of juke-box joints was reducing work opportunities. Then, when numerous Texans migrated to California, certain Western Swing bands — notably the one fronted by Bob Wills — followed them, setting up in Hollywood. There, screen westerns and popular entertainment gradually emasculated the music, which, despite Wills' valiant efforts, became little more than another arm of Hollywood show-business. The true "king" of this latterday Western Swing was Spade Cooley, a classically-trained Cherokee violinist who enjoyed immense success before being given a life sentence for beating his wife to death. While the spirit of Western Swing does linger on in various forms of present-day Country Music, its real heritage lies in the mass of recordings that this compilation — the first of its kind on CD — hopes to help you discover.

Adapted by Don Waterhouse from the French text of Gerard HERZHAFT © FREMEAUX&ASSOCIESS.A. 1994

Download here:

CD 1: http://www.mediafire.com/?2edtdied2os

CD 2: http://www.mediafire.com/?2lb9054lnmv

Update: Corrupt Track 2 from CD 2 available here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?fudt23ujme3

THE FRENCH POP & SOUL EXPERIENCE (part 1)

2007-08-12T02:26:00.000-07:00

This is one of the best compilations of obscure French instrumental jazz/funk from the 70's. The musicians and the bands are perhaps the most professional of the time. Production quality is absolutely amazing, the tracks sound as if they were produced now. Here are the original liner notes from the CD:

THE FRENCH POP & SOUL EXPERIENCE (part 1) In the early 70s a mad musical goal was achieved by creating an explosive musical mix, initially as soundtracks which brought together Pop, Funk and Jazz music. Jean-Claude Pierric gathered round him Francois Roland, lead player of the MUSTANGS, which had none other than Eric Clapton as their musical director, and Daniel Janin, then band leader of the mythical Paris venue, the Olympia. Their basic goal was clear: to achieve a nigh standard of quality, if not downright musical perfection. At a time when French pop music was in its heyday, this musically demanding group of three made a bold move, pioneering for a large number of other French performers, by setting out in a whole new direction, that of Jazz-Funk and Jazz-Rock. This took its musical cues from a new generation of stateside musicians: the Headhunters, with Paul Jackson, as well as Herbie Hancock, David Axelrod, Peter Herbolzheimer, or yet Bob James. With Jean-Claude Pierric as art director and Francois Rolland & Daniel Janin as musical directors, the threesome successfully set out to create a wide variety of outstandingly orchestrated numbers recorded at a level of quality then rarely equalled in the country. They thus achieved creating, at an outstanding level of quality, French Jazz-Funk and Jazz-Rock: The French Pop and Soul Experience. Keep The Funk Alive,.. DJ Juan

Enjoy!!!

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?529gdqyyw0g

Update: Download reposted track (Velvet Dream - "Green Smoke") here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?7nyxtzd3eoc

Lift Off! With Apollo Sound

2007-08-10T23:19:00.000-07:00

Non-pretentious lounge music from the age of innocence. A cocktail of jazz, pop, scat singing and library grooves to keep your mood high. Bands and ensembles such as The Polish Radio Orchestra and the Robin Jones Quartet contribute great music played with enthusiasm. Impeccable grooves. Please overindulge.

Get it here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?5j1xtwjyxjw

Air - Soundtrack From The Virgin Suicides

2007-08-09T03:25:00.000-07:00

This is my top soundtrack. Messrs Godin and Dunkel are surely the masters of atmospheric soundscapes, if they are in the mood. I am not really dying for the rest of the Air albums, since they often sound "soul-less" and mundane; nevertheless, the music they wrote for Sofia Coppolla's film is their tour de force, always according to my personal taste.

The Soundtrack from The Virgin Suicides is also connected with some very important moments of my life and especially with the premature death of my beloved mother. She really liked this album (but Tindersticks were her favourite - I will tell the story in detail in a future post) and we used to have coffee together and listen to it in those autumn Sunday mornings, 5 years ago. Those were the days...

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?5z1xjmbsnjs

ANDROMEDA - Andromeda

2007-08-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

(Extracts taken from the 'Atomic Rooster Story' available from: Keep On Rockin’ the 70s fanzine, 13 Heswall Ave St. Helens, Merseyside, WA9 4Dk, UK)

In the late sixties ex-Attack guitarist/vocalist John Cann teamed up with Mike Hawkesworth
to record some songs written by two guys who lived nearby and who had gained a record deal as The 5 Day Week Straw People. The actual album was recorded on a mobile studio, set up ii a local children's playground. They were each paid £25 for the session. It was never a serious undertaking but it did lead to the formation of Andromeda.
Andromeda was formed by John Cann (guitar/vocals), Mike Hawkesworth (bass/vocals) and Jack McCulloch (drums), brother of Jimmy (Wings) In 1968. They played the circuit of clubs and colleges relentlessly and built up a good cult following. The band did a session for Jonn Peel's Top Gear and indeed almost signed for his Dandelion label after the initial demos. Jack McCulloch was replaced by Ian McLane. For some reason, Dandelion didn't take kindly to this, and failed to take them on the books. Track Records were also interested but wanted Pete Townshend to produce their first album. The band being young and innocent (!) declined the deal, wanting to produce it themselves. They finally signed to RCA, producing one album and a single that were well received and attracted a lot of attention in the music press. The music was fairly progressive, heavy rock and is still popular today, selling for healthy sums on the collectors' markets. Unfortunately, RCA lost interest in the band, just as John Cann heard Atomic Rooster were auditioning for a lead guitarist.
For there to be a winner there has to be a loser. John Cann's joining of Atomic Rooster lead to their chart success with the songs 'Tomorrow Night’ and 'Devil's Answer', and the loser had to be the now defunct Andromeda who, like The Attack, never achieved the heights their talent deserved.
The band built up an enormous cult following in the late sixties and their reputation began to grow once again in the mid eighties. Their recordings have been much sought after as their music was a special type of 'Hard Rock', and recently collectors have paid up to £200 to purchase just one copy of Andromeda's first LP.

My opinion: one of the greatest psych/hard rock LPs. John Cann's guitar style is indeed unique, sometimes dissonant but with attitude. The tracks are all excellent and quite ahead of their time in terms of construction. Try to locate the vinyl (prepare to pay loads of money but it's really worth). Bonus tracks included.

Enjoy!

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?etxly4yymn1

PHILIP GLASS & KRONOS QUARTET - Music For The Film Dracula

2007-08-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

(Απόσπασμα από το βιβλίο του Δημήτρη Κολιοδήμου «Ο Κόμης Δράκουλας Στην Οθόνη», Εκδόσεις «Οξύ»)

DRACULA

(Eναλλακτικοί Tίτλοι: Ο καπετάν Βρυκόλακας, Δράκουλας)
ΗΠΑ, 1931, Ασπρόμαυρη, Διάρκεια: 75’, Σκηνοθεσία: Todd Browning.
Πρωταγωνιστούν: Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, Dwight Frye,
Edward Van Sloan.
Για χρόνια (μέχρι το 1958, που γυρίστηκε η εκδοχή του Terence Fisher) η πιο τρομακτική ταινία, με τον Lugosi στον ρόλο που του χάρισε την αθανασία (η πρώτη επιλογή της Universal ήταν ο Lon Chaney, αλλά ο "άνθρωπος με τα χίλια πρόσωπα" πέθανε λίγο πριν αρχίσουν τα γυρίσματα και αντικαταστάθηκε από τον ούγγρο μετανάστη). Αν και ομιλούσα, διαποτίζεται από το στυλ και την υποκριτική του βωβού κινηματογράφου, αλλά αυτό δεν την εμπόδισε να γίνει η μεγαλύτερη εμπορική επιτυχία του 1931, λανσάροντας έτσι μία σειρά —κλασικών σήμερα— ταινιών τρόμου. Το σενάριο του Garrett Fort βασιζόταν στο θεατρικό έργο του Hamilton Deane (σε διασκευή από τον αμερικανό John Balderston), που όμως είχε προέλθει από το ομότιτλο μυθιστόρημα του Bram Stoker (είχε πρωτοανέβει το 1925, σε θέατρο του Λονδίνου) και η απήχηση της ταινίας οφείλει πολλά, εκτός από την ερμηνεία του Lugosi (είχε πρωτοερμηνεύσει με επιτυχία τον ρόλο το 1927, στο θέατρο Φούλτον του Μπρόντγουεϊ) και στην παράξενη, τρομακτική ατμόσφαιρα που δημιούργησαν (στην αρχή κυρίως, με την άφιξη του Ρένφιλντ/Frye -προσοχή: όχι του Τζόναθαν Χάρκερ, όπως στο λογοτεχνικό έργο— στον πύργο του Δράκουλα, στα Καρπάθια Όρη) ο Browning και ο διευθυντής φωτογραφίας Karl Freund. Γυρίστηκε παράλληλα με την (για χρόνια στην αφάνεια) ομότιτλη ισπανική εκδοχή της. Ο Mehmet Muhtar σκηνοθέτησε ένα τουρκικό ριμέικ της, με τίτλο Drakula Istanbul'da. To Dracula’s Daugther αποτελεί συνέχεια της.

DRACULA

Music by PHILIP GLASS
Performed by KRONOS QUARTET (David Harrington, violin; John Sherba, violin; Hank Dutt, viola; Joan Jeanrenaud, cello)

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?1yymxezt2iy

Gomez - "Bring It On"

2007-08-05T22:49:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favourite albums of all time. Pure music, played from the heart and with minimal production and equipment. A bunch of students cracking out one of the best debuts of the nineties.

I am perhaps one of the lucky ones who attended Gomez's first live gig at Leeds, somewhere around November 1996. It was the time of the "brit pop" trend (you know, Oasis, The Verve etc) and it was really great to see a British band that wasn't into that style but rather had a bluesy edge to their music (I never liked "brit pop", to be honest).

Bring It On is Gomez's first album, recorded, allegedly, in a garage. The production is simple and the sounds are very "down to earth" and "human", as opposed to the "polished" albums of the time. The album is full of acoustic guitars, feedback and, among others, a kid (Ian Ball) with one of the bluesiest voices ever. The songs range from nostalgic mini epics to fuzzy explosions and, again, from introspective moments to melancholic outbursts.

This album was my only company at some very hard moments. The lyrics are really good. The music is, simply, fantastic.

Please listen to it with lots of attention. It's going to be one of your favourites, as it became mine. Please buy the album.

Band line-up:

Ben Ottewell (vocals, guitar)
Tom Gray (vocals, guitar, keyboards)
Paul Blackburn (bass, guitar)
Olly Peacock (drums)
Ian Ball (vocals, guitar, harmonica)

Album tracklist:

01. Get Miles
02. Whippin' Piccadilly
03. Make No Sound
04. 78 Stone Wobble
05. Tijuana Lady
06. Here Comes The Breeze
07. Love Is Better Than A Warm Trombone
08. Get Myself Arrested
09. Free To Run
10. Bubble Gum Years
11. Rie's Wagon
12. The Comeback

Download here (160 kbps):
http://www.mediafire.com/?6tittddqfgy

Καλοκαιρινά πειράματα...

2007-08-04T03:59:00.000-07:00

...Πριν λίγες μέρες ολοκλήρωσα ένα μουσικό κομμάτι στον υπολογιστή, με καλοκαιρινή bossa nova διάθεση και μια ιδέα από τη μουσική του... Ghosts 'n Goblins. Έπαιξα την κλασική κιθάρα και το μπάσο, πρόσθεσα ντραμς και πλήκτρα και... έτοιμο!!! Ακούστε το εδώ και πείτε μου την άποψή σας, αν δε βαριέστε.

ELIAS HULK - Unchained

2007-07-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

If you have this on vinyl, chances of becoming a sought after marital partner are high! Seriously, this album (in its original vinyl edition) changes hands for big money. Here is the original cover:

I, unfortunately, have the vinyl reissue which looks like this:

No matter what, we are talking about a very strange band, with only this album to date. Formed in Wales in 1969, Elias Hulk stormed local and London clubs during the next couple of years. Their music is blues based, melodic and hyper-dark and constitutes a genre of its own. Some say that their sound is closer to Leaf Hound. True, but not entirely, since Elias Hulk must be listened to closely to appreciate their uniqueness. Nick Saloman from The Bevis Frond hails them as one of his influences.

Musicians:

Granville Frazer - Guitar
James Haines - Bass
Bernard James - Drums
Neil Tatum - Guitar
Peter Thorpe - Vocals

Tracklist:

01 Anthology of Dreams
02 Nightmare
03 Been Around Too Long
04 Yesterday's Trip
05 We Can Fly
06 Free
07 Delhi Blues
08 Ain't Got You

Enjoy and support your artists by buying their albums

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?9mmi9zd0jdx

TELEVISION - Television

2007-07-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

(review from Wilson & Alroy's Record Reviews)

Television (1992)
This might be the most remarkable reunion record ever made. Less remarkable when you consider Verlaine's string of critically acclaimed records and his unwavering adherence to Television's sound; but it's still obvious that his bandmates have inspired his songwriting here. The performances are phenomenal, with Lloyd contributing some extraordinary leads (the atmospheric "Rhyme"), Verlaine rising to his challenge, and even Ficca's drumming sounding creative and utterly authentic. There's one track after another that would have fit in perfectly on Marquee Moon: a bunch of ultra-cool, mid-tempo New Wave rockers ("1880 or so"; "No Glamour For Willi"; "This Tune"); the ecstatic, driving "Shane, she wrote this"; "In World," with a danceable funk groove; the swinging, almost tribal "Beauty Trip"; and especially the brilliant, angst-ridden "Call Mr. Lee." It doesn't always work: the live-in-the-studio energy translates into spacey jamming on "The Rocket." But more often it pushes them into exciting, avant garde histrionics that are held down by ringing, trance-like guitar hooks ("Mars"). Anyone who likes anything that Verlaine does should track this down.

My opinion: excellent album!

Download here (320 kbps):

http://www.mediafire.com/?7zt91z9xzwi

Ronnie Foster - The Two Headed Freap

2007-07-22T02:04:00.000-07:00

Some of you will probably remember that great Grant Green album, Alive!. The version of "Sookie Sookie" from Alive! is probably the most recognisable one, after Don Covay's original. Ronnie Foster is the organist in Alive! and provided one of the most memorable hammond organ solos in "Sookie Sookie".
The Two Headed Freap is Ronnie Foster's greatest album to date, full of energy and sheer virtuosity, as tracks such as "Chunky" and "Kentucky Fried Chicken" witness. Many of you will recognise "Mystic Brew" whose main riff was sampled by A Tribe Called Quest. Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" is also included, covered in a soulful way.
The Two Headed Freap (does anybody know what Freap stands for?) is one of Blue Note's best albums to date.
Just listen to the organ solo in the opening track, "Chunky". Amazing!!!

Tracklist:

01. Chunky
02. Drowning in the Sea of Love
03. Two-Headed Freap
04. Summer Song
05. Let's Stay Together
06. Don't Knock My Love
07. Mystic Brew
08. Kentucky Fried Chicken

Musicians:

Ronnie Foster - Organ
Arthur Jenkins - Congas
Gene Bertoncini - Guitar
George Devens - Percussion, Vibraphone
George Duvivier - Bass
Jimmy Johnson Jr. - Drums
Rudy Van Gelder - Engineer

Enjoy!

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?1mojpqjgrzt

Brainticket - "Psychonaut"

2007-07-10T00:37:00.000-07:00

So much to say about this band!

Most people believe this is "prog rock". No way dudes! This is NOT prog rock! This is music from another planet, juxtaposing elements from anything you can imagine! More importantly: this album was released in 1972! Way ahead of its time!

Brainticket were sort of a commune band, built around Jöel Vandroogenbroeck (phew!), a swiss multi-organist and composer of stellar tunes. The line-up was different in every album they made, presumably due to Vandroogenbroeck's attempt to create different soundscapes. Psychonaut is their first (and more "accessible" album), showcasing 6 tracks. It contains elements of kraut rock, psychedelia, acoustic/folk, experimental, ethnic, progressive rock (but not that you expect), minimal, maximal and anything else you can probably think of (for the time made, of course). Some tracks are celestial psychedelic built-ups ("Radagacuca", "Coc'o Mary"), others are atmospheric and minimalistic ("One Morning") and others surpass the dreamy-folk frontiers ("Feel The Wind Blow"). "Watching You" is a track that could have easily been written by Portishead, if, of course, were alive at the time!

Psychonaut was released in 1972 under the Bellaphon label and its Brainticket's debut. Later, a double-vinyl release of the first two Brainticket albums with the name Cottonwoodhill was released as a re-issue. I recommend buying the Psychonaut edition on vinyl, because it also contains the lyrics.

The line-up for this album is as follows:

- Jane Free: lead vocals, tbilat, tambourine, slide whistle, sounds
- Jöel Vandroogenbroeck: organ, piano, flute, sitar, sanze vocal, rumors, generator, arrangements
- Rolf Hug: lead guitar, acoustic guitar, tablas, vocals
- Martin Sacher: electric bass, flute
- Barney Palm: drums, percussion, strange sounds
- Carole Muriel: additional vocals (on "Feel The Wind Blow" and "Like A Place In The Sun")

Tracklist:

1. From Another Planet(intro)/Padagacuca (7:24)
2. One morning (3:51)
3. Watchin' you (5:15)
4. Like a place in the sun (6:28)
5. Feel the wind blow (3:32)
6. Coc'o-Mary (6:08)

Note: this is a vinyl rip

Enjoy!!! (I'm sure you will, especially if you're a psychotrope-head!)

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?8ztxbvmckau

Dust - "Hard Attack"

2007-07-09T03:19:00.000-07:00

This was probably my favourite band for a long time. I was 12 years old in my first year in high school, in 1989. I had started listening to pirate radio at the age of 10 and when I was 12 I began buying music magazines and vinyls, after my uncle had given me his old worn-out turntable. One of the magazines I used to buy was "Metal Hammer & Heavy Metal". I wasn't really into heavy metal music (never been) but I bought the particular magazine every month because it contained two column pages named "Forgotten Jewels" and "Electricore" respectively. Those were the only articles I would read. Once, there was an article on Dust on the Electricore page. The person who wrote it (it was either Demetrios Stergiou or Popi Stefa, I don't really recall the name of the reviewer now - it's been 17 years you know!), had done something really amazing: he/she didn't write a common review but an almost literary, introspective text in which he/she quoted large parts of the lyrics of both Dust albums. I was so immersed that I decided to locate the albums at any cost. Fortunately, a guy at a local record shop happened to be a record collector and he made a tape for me with both the albums (he was actually surprised to find out that a high school boy knew Dust!!!). Once I put the tape in the cassette player, I never stopped listening to it all day. Years after, in 1995, I bought both vinyls at the Monastiraki flea market in Athens, to fulfill my aspiration.

Dust were a New York band, formed in 1971. They consisted of Kenny Aaronson: bass, slide and pedal steel guitars, Marc Bell: drums and percussion and Richie Wise: electric and acoustic guitars, lead and background vocals. Most songs were penned by Richie Wise and Kenny Kerner, the production manager who went on later producing for Kiss! Dust were indeed fantastic musicians and it is really a treat to listen to a trio playing unbelievable hard rock infected with psychedelic, heavy and even country elements. The songs are all great (no exception, believe me) and the lyrics are very good. Apart from Richie Wise, bassist Kenny Aaronson (later known as member of the supergroup HSAS) is one of the fastest bassists I've known and he is also adept at slide guitars and dobro. Drummer Marc Bell is even faster and some of you will be surprised to learn that, after Dust disbanded, he went on drumming with the Ramones, changing his name to Marky Ramone!

Hard Attack is Dust's second and last album, released in 1972. Unfortunately, the band never had any commercial success and they were forced to split after the release of Hard Attack. Shame, because we are talking about a great band...

This band means a lot to me, guys. Please give them the attention they deserve, they're really worth it.

Tracklist

Side 1

Pull Away/So Many Times
Walk in the Soft Rain
Thusly Spoken
Learning to Die

Side 2

All in All
I Been Thinkin'
Ivory
How Many Horses
Suicide
Entrance

(note: this is a vinyl rip)

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?9o4dwzrtiko

Jimmy McGriff - Blues For Mr Jimmy

2007-06-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

I bought this vinyl from a Leeds carboot sale in 1999. It was part of my frenzied quest for rare grooves, especially those of the organ-guitar-drums combos. I was expecting the usual hammond groove stuff before listening to the album and, my expectations were met, albeit with a small difference: reverb! Indeed, Blues For Mr Jimmy contains a lot of it! Every instrument is drenched in auditorium reverb and you sometimes get the feeling that the combo are playing in a haunted cavern! This gives the tracks a certain dark feeling that collides with the overall "uplifting" effect of hammond grooves. I don't know if Jimmy McGriff had this in his mind but it is definitely true that the sound is unique.

Great instrumental stuff.

Line-up: Jimmy McGriff (org); Larry Frazier (g); Jimmie Smith (d)

Production year: 1964

Tracklist:

01 Discotheque U.S.A.

02 Cash Box

03 Blues For Joe

04 Blues For Mr. Jimmy

05 The Dog (You Dog)

06 Bump de Bump

07 The Party's Over

08 Turn Blue

09 Sho' Nuff

(note: this is a vinyl rip)

Enjoy!

Download here: http://www.mediafire.com/?3p0ngmoytte

In A Nostalgic Mood (podcast)

2007-06-24T03:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a little podcast I made a few days ago. It certainly expresses my mood at that particular day.

Enjoy (in whatever way)

Tracklist:

01 Cocorosie - Honey Or Tar
02 Kaiser's Orchestra - Jaevel En Tango
03 Susheela Raman - Music For Crocodiles
04 Sixteen Horsepower - Neck On The New Blade
05 Mountain Goats - Dilaudid
06 Iron & Wine - Evening On The Ground
07 Patricia Vonne - Guitarras Y Castanuelas
08 Castanets - Good Friend Yr Hunger
09 Jose Gonzales - Heartbeats

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?0dgpdl4je1z

Will Our Children Thank Us (various artists)

2007-06-24T02:55:00.000-07:00

I hate it when they don't use the interrogation mark! Anyways, I should quit my philological rant and get down to writing a little review.

The story behind this compilation:

Leeds, winter of 1998. My classmate, Carl, invites me to a live gig of a band in which his cousin plays bass. The band is called Billy Mahonie. I never made that gig actually but the next day, at Carl's place, we were listening to a demo CD by Billy Mahonie when I suddenly started moaning about not being able to go and see such an incredible band. And incredible they were, since they played a kind of simple but really exciting instrumental math rock (if you're not familiar with the term, don't worry, terms and "tags" are useless anyway). A few months later, in 1999, Carl popped around for coffee one day and brought Will Our Children Thank Us with him, to listen to the Billy Mahonie track that was included in the compilation. For some strange reason, the particular compilation stayed with me, and it's been with me for 9 years now (Carl, if you're reading this, send me a message!!!).

Will Our Children Thank Us is dedicated to the British instrumental pop music that emerged in the form of countless bands in the mid-90s. Some of the bands featured in the compilation are still alive and kickin' today (Billy Mahonie, Appliance, Novak, Piano Magic). The tracks range from post-rock to electronica and dark-ambient, although I must say that they aren't easy to pigeonhole (which is good). My favourite ones are those from Electric Sound Of Joy, Appliance and Billy Mahonie, but the rest of the tracks are also really worth listening to.

It is a strange but enjoyable compilation and Foundry Recordings are responsible for it. It's worth dropping a visit to their page. You can also read a more detailed review of the compilation here.

Enjoy!

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?54vxn2kjcg0

The Blue Note Sampler Series - "The Six Vital Organs"

2007-06-23T02:25:00.000-07:00

This is the first Blue Note album I've ever bought. It was October 1996, Leeds, England. The album belongs to the Blue Note Sampler Series, a now-collectible series of albums to introduce the Blue Note sound to novices.

The particular sampler was dedicated to six of the best hammond organ players of the time (and, perhaps, of all time): Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff (saw him later live, a few months before he sadly passed away), Larry Young, Jimmy McGriff, Big John Patton and Baby Face Willette (the latter performs a previously unreleased version of Hank Mobley's "Work Song" which is stunning). Blue Note at its grooviest, with toe-tapping swingers and hoppin' proto-mod-funk. "All About My Girl" and "The Turnaround" have also provided me with some great guitar licks to improve my technique (Grant Green rules!). Both are awesome tracks.

Update: scanner fixed, get the covers here:

CD covers.rar

Download album here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?afygxjglbtg

Natalie Merchant - "The House Carpenter's Daughter"

2007-06-21T02:45:00.000-07:00

Magazine reviews:

Mojo (9/03, p.111) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...THE HOUSE CARPENTER'S DAUGHTER is clearly a labour of love....The traditions that birthed these songs may be dying but, as Merchant subtly underlines, their politics are timeless..." Uncut (9/03, p.112) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Merchant's rich, expressive voice is imbued with all the awe, dread and authority the material requires..."

My opinion:

The voice of the 10000 Maniacs goes solo and the results are awesome. Many considered Merchant's solo efforts as pretentious (bollocks, I tell ya) and therefore failed to appreciate the wide range of an otherwise "restricted" singer due to her unique, indeed, voice. In The House Carpenter's Daughter, Natalie Merchant goes back to traditional folk songs which she performs with unparalleled talent and beauty. Songs such as "House Carpenter", "Poor Wayfaring Stranger (my favourite)" and the well-known "Which Side Are You On" - thanks to an whiskey ad, are perfect examples.

Don't be squares, give that lady a go!

Enjoy!

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?0pgoxehj2bp

Gabor Szabo - "The Sorcerer"

2007-06-21T02:13:00.000-07:00

Leeds, England, 1997.

I was wandering aimlessly in the city centre when I decided to pay a visit to Relics Records on New Briggate st. I hadn't decided what to buy; I was only going to browse for a while; yet, the moment I entered the shop, I heard that strange-sounding guitar along with bass a drums playing Sonny Bono's "The Beat Goes On" in a quirky, groovy and distinguishably "gypsy" manner. I asked the proprietor: "What's this?" "Gabor Szabo" he said reluctantly. "OK, I'll buy it" my reply was.

That was my acquaintance with Gabor Szabo, a hungarian-born guitarist who relocated to USA and became one of the major figures of "guitar fusion". Gabor Szabo left Budapest at the age of 20 to attend the famous Berklee School. His first notable recordings were those with the Chico Hamilton Group. He then recorded with the Gary MacFarland quintet and in 1966 he started his solo career which ended abruptly with his early death in 1982 at the age of 46.

Gabor Szabo's guitar style is so unique that once you've heard him, you can always distinguish his sound. His notes sound eloquently "out of tune" and he merges blues, jazz, gypsy, indian and asian music so successfully that often leaves you gawping in amazement.

The Sorcerer was recorded live at the Jazz Workshop, Boston, April 14-15, 1967 and it's a great example of his playing. It also contains 3 bonus tracks unavailable on the vinyl edition (which, however, I recommend buying).

Enjoy!

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?2s5qzdxvjuh

Tom Verlaine - "Warm & Cool"

2007-06-19T02:55:00.000-07:00

Now this is a treat!

How many of you have seen Jim Jarmusch's "Dead Man"? How many of you have enjoyed Neil Young's soundtrack of the film? Many? OK, keep reading then... revelations are bound to emerge!

I first heard Tom Verlaine when I bought a tape copy of the third Television album from one of the then numerous "copy-tape stands" at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 1990. I had seen a Television video on TV (It was "Call Mr Lee") and I had decided to buy a tape. The album was fine but finer was what was recorded at the remaining space of the tape: the first 5 tracks of Verlaine's solo effort, Warm & Cool, with Television's Billy Ficca on drums and Fred Smith on bass. Warm & Cool was one of the many albums Verlaine released after that 14 year interval between Television's 2nd and 3rd albums. Yet, it is definitely the best of all.

Haunting melodies, driven by Verlaine's impeccable and atmospheric Fender Stratocaster. Cloudy sceneries, old depots, darkness, optimism, introspection, all these are present. The music is as laconic as it can be. Neil young ripped off this sound for his soundtrack to the Dead Man. Just listen to the tracks "Ore", "Lore" and "Depot" and you'll understand.

I recommend listening to the album while driving or watching the view outside your window on a rainy day.

This is SUPERB music.

(note: this is a vinyl rip at 320 kbps - the quality is great)

Download Here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?3dgutpem9j1

The Tiger Lillies - "Births, Marriages & Deaths (1994)"

2007-06-19T02:28:00.000-07:00

The Tiger Lillies are a three piece band from London. They consist of Martyn Jacques (vocals, accordion, trained as an opera singer with a castrati style voice) Adrian Huge (drums) and Adrian Stout (double bass). Jacques' distinctive poetry and voice (which, evidently, owes a lot to Klaus Nomi and the Monty Pythons, IMHO) and the acoustic - cabaret style rhythm section manage to create a unique atmosphere of a decadent yet sensitive Lautrec environment (and I am talking about the environment Lautrec lived). They have a serious cult following in London and as well as other countries (Czech republic, Greece etc).

Births, Marriages & Deaths is the band's first album which I will post in 2 parts.

Enjoy!

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?700end1dtkj

Chick Corea - "Return To Forever" (1972)

2007-06-18T05:39:00.000-07:00

(Review by Steve Huey)

"The legendary first lineup of Chick Corea's fusion band Return to Forever debuted on this classic album (titled after the group but credited to Corea), featuring Joe Farrell on soprano sax and flute, the Brazilian team of vocalist Flora Purim and drummer/percussionist Airto Moreira, and electric bass whiz Stanley Clarke. It wasn't actually released in the U.S. until 1975, which was why the group's second album, Light as a Feather, initially made the Return to Forever name. Nonetheless, Return to Forever is every bit as classic, using a similar blend of spacy electric-piano fusion and Brazilian and Latin rhythms. It's all very warm, light, and airy, like a soft breeze on a tropical beach — hardly the sort of firebrand approach to fusion that Miles Davis, Tony Williams, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra were exploring, and far less rooted in funk or rock. Corea also bathes the album in an undertone of trippy mysticism, not only in the (admittedly dated) lyrics, but in his cosmic keyboard wanderings, which remain melodic and accessible through most of the record. There's one genuine pop song in the groovy samba "What Game Shall We Play Today," and while "Sometime Ago" has similar elements, it's part of an ambitious side-long medley that features a stream-of-consciousness intro and a jubilant, Spanish/Mexican-style closing section called "La Fiesta," complete with castanets and flamenco modes. The title track is another multi-sectioned work, featuring Corea and Purim in wordless unison on two different, catchy themes, plus breezy work from Farrell and lots of Brazilian-flavored rhythmic interplay. And the dreamy, meditative "Crystal Silence" is an underrated gem waiting to be rediscovered. Certainly, this edition of Return to Forever wasn't inclined toward high-voltage jazz-rock (as the next one was), but this group's two albums still stand as some of the most imaginative and distinctive early fusion recordings".

Tracklist:

1. Return To Forever 12:06

2. Crystal Silence 6:59

3. What Game Shall We Play Today 4:30

4. Sometime Ago / La Fiesta 23:13

My point of view: great album, especially for the summer, compositions are not from this earth, will definitely make you feel "elevated"!

-The downer: Chick Corea is a member of the scientology sect (and of the highest rank, as I've learned), propagating metaphysical crap. Anyway, music is what's important...

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?fmkgnxfwmv1

Armageddon - "Armageddon"

2007-06-18T02:42:00.000-07:00

Armageddon were formed in 1974 by ex-Yardbirds singer Keith Relf, drummer Bobby Caldwell from Captain Beyond (see previous post), bassist Louis Cennamo and guitarist Martin Pugh from Steamhammer. Their one and only album for A & M Records saw light of day later the same year. None would actually expect from Keith Relf to front a band as such, since Armageddon's sound hasn't got the least connection with the music of the Yardbirds (except Relf's harmonica). The band plays a distinctive kind of progressive hard rock that contains elements of jazz, blues and even classical music (hard to trace but still there). The opening track, "Buzzard", is full of heavy wah wah guitar riffs and excellent drumming. Double guitar harmonies are to be found, too. The album's B side is more of a concept. Some memorable tracks are "Buzzard", "Silver Tightrope (absolutely great - reminds me of Steamhammer)" and "Basking in The White Of The Midnight Sun".

Note that this is a vinyl rip and therefore adjust your equalizer.

Oh, due to a couple of requests I received via e-mail, the vinyl is not for sale (for sentimental reasons - if I become poorer I'll let you know). Go have a look in a record shop and buy it.

http://www.mediafire.com/?femqiiojnd4

Humble Pie - "Rock On"

2007-06-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Humble Pie are one unfortunate band. Apart from being undermined by terms such as "one of the first supergroups in rock", they met with less success than they deserved. The band initially consisted of Steve Marriott (lead singer, guitarist, keyboardist of the great mod band The Small Faces), Peter Frampton (lead guitarist and vocals, from the sixties popsters The Herd), Greg Ridley (bassist and vocalist, from superb rockers The Spooky Tooth) and Jerry Shirley (drums, from Valkyrie). Their first single, "Natural Born Boogie (or Bugie)" made some notable success in the U.K. in 1969 and was followed by the debut album As Safe As Yesterday Is, which reached No 16. Their Second album, Town And Country never had any success, as well as their third album Humble Pie, for a different company now, A & M Records. Rock On, released in 1971, showcases the band at their rockiest, though it was destined to denote the split of the original line-up with Peter Frampton leaving to pursue solo career. That year, they also released the live album Rockin' The Fillmore, to promote Rock On. After several line-up changes, Humble Pie disbanded in 1975 (there had been some reunions in the 80s) and in 1991 Steve Marriott sadly passed away in 1991 in a fire.

Humble Pie are a band that showcases both dexterity and composing ability, matched by all the members; however, Marriott and Frampton were the one who penned the most memorable songs. All members sing and they actually share vocals in most of the tracks, but Marriott's bluesy voice is beyond any comparison. Twin guitars are present and Frampton's solos in predominantly Dorian Mode give a jazzy feeling in an otherwise heavy rock band. Mod elements and soul influences are to be found, too.

In a few words, Rock On does exactly what it says on the tin. Enjoy!

(Note: this is a vinyl rip)

Humble Pie - Rock On.rar

Babe Ruth - First Base

2007-06-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a band that deserves some extra appreciation credits for being both innovative and always fresh sounding. Named after the famous baseball player, Babe Ruth were formed in Hatfield, England in 1971. The band was more or less the vehicle for guitarist Alan Shacklock and his exceptional guitar playing and composition ability; however singer Janita Haan's "vocal power" is hard to ignore in this debut album (as well as in the rest of the works of the band which are not, unfortunately, as good as this album). "First Base" was released in 1972 penning great songs such as "Wells Fargo", "The Runaways" and the famous "The Mexican", noted for its numerous covers with Mark Hype & Lim Dunloop being the latest to cover this brilliant song. "First Base" is a must-have album, period.

Babe Ruth.rar

Captain Beyond

2007-06-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

Founded in 1971, Captain Beyond were sort of a "supergroup" for their time, since they consisted of bassist Lee Dorman and guitarist Rhino from Iron Butterfly, drummer Bobby Caldwell (then with the Johnny Winter band and later with Keith Relf's Armageddon) and singer Rod Evans, once responsible for the vocals in the first 3 Deep Purple albums (and my favourites of the particular band, if you ask me).

Captain Beyond cut three albums, their eponymous first, "Sufficiently Breathless" and "Dawn Explosion" with a few line-up changes but keeping their nucleus duo of Bobby Caldwell and Lee Dorman. Their music can be described as progressive hard rock (mind you, I have an innate dislike for tags as such) played with exciting energy and dexterity. Their first album is definitely my favourite, since it oozes all these elements that a proper hard rock band of the time should have: the guitars and bass are awesome, the vocals are efficient (or, should I say sufficient), the drummer is simply out of this world. As for the songs, they are all crafted in a conceptual and neat way: full of heavy riffs, psychedelic interludes, arcane, spacey and often esoteric lyrics.

Some wieners often try to undermine Captain Beyond by comparing them to Deep Purple: there is absolutely no connection between the two bands, apart from the fact that Rod Evans once was a member of Deep Purple. Captain Beyond's sound is unique and their composing ability miles ahead than many of the bands of their time (even by contemporary standards).

So, get on with downloading their debut album and overindulge. At least, I did.

Enjoy!

Captain Beyond.rar

Tom Rapp & The Pearls Before Swine

2007-06-13T02:35:00.001-07:00

(This blog will be in english from now on)

Tom Rapp is an American poet-singer-songwriter who made moderate success in the late 60s and the early 70s as the leader and the "brains" behind the folk-psychedelic band "Pearls Before Swine". He belongs to that 60s folk movement that included, among others, Bob Dylan and the like. With "Pearls Before Swine" he released 9 albums between 1967 and 1973 and then he retired permanently from the music business, performing sporadically in folk festivals. he now works as a lawyer in Florida.

"Another Time" is taken from the Pearls Before Swine album "One Nation Underground" and it's a melancholic folk song with awesome lyrics.

Pearls Before Swine - Another Time.mp3

RJD2 - The Horror

2007-04-26T04:01:00.001-07:00

Έχω πολλούς λόγους να μην μου αρέσει το Hip-Hop αλλά κιέναν λόγο να μου αρέσει: όταν είναι instrumental, τσακίζει κόκκαλα!
Ο RJD2 υπέπεσε στην αντίληψή μου το 2002 όταν κυκλοφόρησε το άλμπουμ του με τον τίτλο Deadringer. Το συγκεκριμένο κομμάτι είναι από αυτό το άλμπουμ και κυριολεκτικά σκοτώνει!!!

Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin'

2007-04-24T02:21:00.001-07:00

Ένας πιθανότατα υπερ-μαστουρωμένος Jimi Hendrix παίζει και άδει το Hear My Train A Comin' σε μια δωδεκάχορδη κιθάρα...

(από την προσωπική μου συλλογή)

Frumpy - How The Gypsy Was Born

2007-03-05T03:14:00.001-08:00

Μια από τις αγαπημένες μου krautrock μπάντες, οι Frumpy παίζουν το τραγούδι - ορόσημό τους: How the Gipsy was born.

Έψαχνα χρόνια να βρω κάποιο βίντεό τους και με έσωσε, για άλλη μια φορά, το youtube.

Απολαύστε πραγματικό rock

Cinematic Podcast 1: Private Investigator Galore!

2007-02-21T04:33:00.000-08:00

Cinematic Podcast 1 - Private Investigator Galore.mp3
Μέγεθος: 33,1 MB, Διάρκεια: 28:58

Tracklist:

1. Combustible Edison - A Shot In The Dark
2. David Shire - The Taking Of Pelham (main title)
3. Willie Bobo - Kojak
4. Wilton Felder - Bullit
5. Leroy Holmes - The James Bond Theme
6. Lalo Schiffrin - Dirty Harry
7. Stefano Torossi - Fearing Much
8. Jack Parnell & His Orchestra - Enter The Dragon
9. The 4 Sound Orchestra - Mission Impossible
10. Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - Bollywood

Το πρώτο podcast από αυτό το μπλογκ. Για όσους έχουν τον μυστικό πράκτορα μέσα τους. Ροζ Πάνθηρ, Επικίνδυνες Αποστολές, Κοτζακ, Βρώμικος Χάρι, James Bond, Cocktail Parties, Gadgets, «Κακοί» με περίεργα ονόματα, όμορφες γυναίκες, μεταμφιέσεις, Dry Martinis, Casinos... Γουστάρω!!! Φορέστε την καπαρντίνα και το καπέλο σας και ετοιμαστείτε για δράση!!!

Υ.Γ.: Όσοι επιθυμούν περισσότερες πληροφορίες για τα κομμάτια και παρόμοιες προτάσεις, ας επικοινωνήσουν στέλνοντας μέιλ

New Releases 2007: Pop Levi

2007-02-11T05:31:00.000-08:00

Ο Pop Levi είναι ένας νέος βρετανός μουσικός ο οποίος κυκλοφόρησε το ντεμπούτο του στις 20 του περασμένου μήνα με τίτλο "The Return To Form Black Magick Party", το οποίο διανέμεται από την Ninja Tune Records. Ο ήχος του Pop Levi δεν είναι αυτός που θα περίμενε κάποιος από το συγκεκριμένο label. Επηρεασμένος από τους T-Rex και την bubblegum σκηνή των 70's και αναμειγνύοντας στοιχεία σύγχρονου garage rock με κατεστραμμένα κιθαριστικά riff και παραμορφωμένα μπάσα, o Pop Levi μας ανεβάζει τη διάθεση με χιούμορ αλλά και μελαγχολία, καταστρέφοντας παράλληλα και την ευσταχιανή μας σάλπιγγα... Το άλμπουμ του ακούγεται μονορούφι και σε δυνατή ένταση. Πιθανότατα ένα από τα καλύτερα δείγματα «αστρικής» μουσικής, όπως ο ίδιος θέλει να την περιγράφει. Ακούστε το Hades Lady.mp3 για να πάρετε ένα αντιπροσωπευτικό δείγμα του ήχου του Pop Levi.

The Longcut

2007-02-02T03:43:00.000-08:00

Αν και θα φανώ απόλυτος - τουλάχιστον για τους περισσοτέρους - πιστεύω πως ο όρος "rock" έχει πλέον εξαντληθεί, εφ' όσον οτιδήποτε ήταν να παιχτεί στο συγκεκριμένο μουσικό είδος έχει παιχτεί και, από ένα σημείο και μετά, γίνεται ένα «αναμάσημα» παλαιοτέρων ήχων και ιδεών. Τι να κάνουμε, η δυτική μουσική στηρίζεται στο δωδεκάφθογγο σύστημα. Πόσα λοιπόν διαφορετικά πράγματα μπορούν να δημιουργηθούν έχοντας ως εργαλείο ένα τόσο περιορισμένο σύστημα; Με εξαίρεση την κλασική μουσική (όσον αφορά στην ποικιλομορφία), τα υπόλοιπα μουσικά είδη τα οποία στηρίζονται στο συγκεκριμένο σύστημα είναι από τη φύση τους καταδικασμένα να «τελειώσουν».
Είπαμε, μπορεί να είμαι απόλυτος αλλά αυτή είναι η αποψή μου. Εννοείται ότι οποιαδήποτε διαφορετική άποψη είναι δεκτή με ενθουσιασμό, αρκεί να είναι στηριγμένη με επιχειρήματα.

Φτάσαμε λοιπόν σήμερα στο σημείο να περιγράφουμε τον ήχο καλλιτεχνών και συγκροτημάτων ώς εξής: «με τον τσαμπουκά των Rolling Stones και τις φωνητικές αρμονίες των Beatles, οι «Τάδε» καταφέρνουν μπλα μπλα μπλα...» ήτοι, να χρησιμοποιούμε ήδη υπάρχοντα παραδείγματα. Αυτό δεν γινόταν παλαιότερα αλλά είναι αναπόφευκτο τώρα πια.

Το συγκρότημα των Longcut δεν ξεφεύγει καθόλου από αυτή την κατηγορία. Για να περιγράψω τον ήχο τους, θα χρησιμοποιούσα τα εξής λόγια: «ένα αυθεντικό συνονθύλευμα επιρροών (αυτό λέγεται contradiction in terms) από Joy Division, The Sound και Sonic Youth». Ωστόσο, δεν είναι μόνο αυτό...

Οι Longcut δημιουργήθηκαν στο Manchester το 2002, στην αρχή ως κουαρτέτο αλλά πολύ σύντομα έμειναν τρεις καθώς ο τραγουδιστής τους αποχώρησε (καλύτερα, εδώ που τα λέμε, επειδή μια ζωή οι τραγουδιστές και το μεγεθυμένο «εγώ» τους καταστρέφουν τις καριέρες συγκροτημάτων!). Ο ντράμερ και keyboard player Stuart Ogilvie ανέλαβε τα φωνητικά, πλαισιωμένος από τους Lee Gale στην κιθάρα και John Fearon στο μπάσο. Οι «οργισμένες» ζωντανές εμφανίσεις της μπάντας τους απέφεραν ένα συμβόλαιο με την εταιρία Deltasonic η οποία εδρεύει στο Liverpool και έτσι κυκλοφόρησαν το 2004 το πρώτο Ε.Ρ. τους με τον τίτλο "Transition". Το 2005 κυκλοφορούν το πρώτο (και μοναδικό μέχρι στιγμής) άλμπουμ τους με τίτλο "A Call And Response", του οποίου το εξώφυλλο βλέπετε στην εικόνα.

Οι Longcut με ξύπνησαν ουσιαστικά από τον μακρό «λήθαργο» στον οποίο βρισκόμουν σε σχέση με τη rock μουσική, αφού πέρα από πολύ λίγα παραδείγματα, δεν μπορούσα με τίποτα να ανακαλύψω κάποιο σύγχρονο συγκρότημα ή καλλιτέχνη του είδους που να με εξιτάρει με τον ήχο και, γενικότερα, με τα κομμάτια του. Αν και το ανακάλυψα κάπως αργά (το 2006, σχεδόν ένα χρόνο μετά την κυκλοφορία του), ωστόσο το άλμπουμ των Longcut με «έστειλε» κυριολεκτικά, βομβαρδίζοντας το μυαλό μου με rock, punk αλλά και dance στοιχεία και με τον απόηχο (αλλά και τον ήχο) των Sound και των Sonic Youth (στην πιο μελωδική τους εκδοχή). Οι κιθάρες είναι άψογες, η ρυθμική βάση ντράμς-μπάσου απίστευτα σφικτή και τα φωνητικά χαώδη και απόμακρα σαν ουρλιαχτα. Τα πλήκτρα υπάρχουν ακριβώς στο βαθμό που χρειάζεται και όταν χρειάζεται. Ο όλος ήχος είναι οργίλος και σκοτεινός. Το "A Call And Response" είναι ένα άλμπουμ σκοτεινής punk, rock και ενίοτε goth ψυχεδέλειας.

Εντρυφήστε και δεν θα χάσετε.

Ως δείγμα, παραθέτω και το καλύτερο - κατά τη γνώμη μου πάντοτε - κομμάτι του δίσκου, το Gravity In Crisis.mp3. Play At Maximum Volume, παρακαλώ!!!

Περισσότερα στοιχεία στα παρακάτω links:

The Longcut Myspace Site (εδώ μπορείτε να ακούσετε κι άλλα κομμάτια)
The Longcut Fansite

Soundtrack για μια βροχερή μέρα (μέρος πρώτο)

2007-01-25T02:08:00.000-08:00

Σήμερα η μέρα είναι βροχερή. Καιρός ήταν! Δυστυχώς δεν εβρεξε και πάρα πολύ - λίγες ψιχάλες μόνο έπεσαν για το καλό του χρόνου. Το σκηνικό ωστόσο είναι τελείως φθινοπωρινό και μου θυμίζει τα ωραία χρόνια της Γηραιάς Αλβιόνας. Εκεί βέβαια, το περιβάλλον ταιριάζει με τον βροχερό καιρό. Εδώ όλα γίνονται λάσπη. Μια που η μέρα είναι τέτοια και ο μουντός καιρός είναι πάντα πηγή έμπνευσης, μοναχικών σκέψεων και εσωστρεφών συναισθημάτων (για μένα, τουλάχιστον), είπα να φτιάξω ένα μικρό playlist από κομμάτια που ταιριάζουν στη διάθεσή μου... Ένα μέρος αυτού του playlist διάλεξα να το μοιραστώ με σας.

Αν θέλετε, κατεβάστε τα κομμάτια χωρίς να τα ακούσετε μεμονωμένα και βάλτε τα στο player του υπολογιστή σας με τη σειρά που δίνονται (ακόμη καλύτερα θα ήταν να τα βάλετε να παίζουν με crossfade για να ακούγονται σαν πρόγραμμα). Η καλύτερη συνοδεία είναι ατένισμα από το παράθυρο και ό,τι άλλο επιθυμείτε...

1. [intro] Boxharp - "Filming The Desert" «Τι γυρεύει ένα desert rock κομμάτι σε μια βροχερή συλλογή;» θα με ρωτήσετε και θα σας απαντήσω «είναι πιο μουντό και από μια μέρα στην έρημο». Ο ήχος που ακούγεται είναι μια κινηματογραφική μηχανή super 8 η οποία... φιλμάρει την έρημο. Από το άλμπουμ The Tailored Soldier

2. Madrugada - "Shine" Τα σχόλια είναι περιττά. Η Σκανδιναβία βγάζει διαμάντια όπως οι Madrugada και οι Tindersticks. Από το άλμπουμ Industrial Silence

3. Nick Drake - "River Man" Δεν χρειάζονται συστάσεις. Ο αγαπημένος μου folk κιθαρίστας και τραγουδοποιός. Μιλάμε για ποίηση, όχι απλούς στίχους. Όσο για την τεχνική στο παίξιμο της κιθάρας... υποκλίνομαι. Θα γράψω σχετικό ποστ σύντομα. Τον λατρεύω αυτον τον άνθρωπο. Μια βασανισμένη ψυχή που πέθανε μόλις 26 ετών, έχοντας κυκλοφορήσει 5 άλμπουμς (το ένα μεταθανάτιο). Το κομμάτι είναι παρμένο από το πρώτο άλμπουμ του με τίτλο Five Leaves Left

4. Elysian Fields - "Black Acres" Τα «Ηλύσια Πεδία» μας παρασύρουν στα σκοτάδια τους. Από το άλμπουμ Queen Of The Meadow

5. Barzin - "Past All Concerns" Μια σχετικά άγνωστη μπάντα (κακώς) ηχογραφεί μικρά συναισθηματικά διαμαντάκια. Αναζητείστε τους και ακούστε το καινούριο τους άλμπουμ με τίτλο My Life In Rooms

6. Sebastien Schuller - "Le Dernier Jour" Η μελωδία θυμίζει Radiohead αλλά το feeling είναι πολύ πιο άμεσο. Ένα από τα αγαπημένα μου κομμάτια. Το ακούω πάντα σε πολύ δυνατή ένταση και ξεσπάω. Από το άλμπουμ Happiness

7. Deus - "Sister Dew" Need I Say More???

8. Kristin Hersh - "Your Dirty Answer" Η Kristin Hersh και το συγκρότημά της Throwing Muses μας έχουν φιλοδωρήσει με πολύ όμορφες δουλειές. Τσεκάρετέ την, καθώς επίσης και την ετεροθαλή αδελφή της Tanya Donelly και το συγκρότημά της, τους Belly. Το κομμάτι είναι από το άλμπουμ Sunny Border Blue

9. Movietone - "Hydra" Με το ένα πόδι στην avant garde και το άλλο στο math rock (θα γράψω και σχετικό ποστ), οι Movietone δημιουργούν περίεργες ατμόσφαιρες. Ο ήχος είναι πολύ «κοντινός» και τα όργανα πολύ «ανθρώπινα». Από το άλμπουμ The Blossom Filled Streets

10. Dust - "Walk In The Soft Rain" Μια από τις σημαντικότερες μπάντες των 70's με μόνο δυο άλμπουμ στο ενεργητικό τους, οι Dust αποτελούσαν για χρόνια μια από τις εμμονές μου. Τριμελές συγκρότημα, πολύ μπροστά από την εποχή του. Μη βιαστείτε να τους χαρακτηρίσετε δεινόσαυρους, δεν έχουν καμία σχέση με την προγκρεσίλα των σέβεντις. Νεοϋορκέζοι, αλλά ο ήχος τους δεν μοιάζει με τίποτε άλλο, καθώς συνδυάζουν rock, country και σκοτεινές μπαλάντες. Ο ντράμερ τους, Marc Bell, συνέχισε την καριέρα του ως Marky Ramone στους... Ramones (αυτό κι αν είναι αλλαγή!). Επίσης, θα γραφεί σχετικό ποστ-αφιέρωμα. Το κομμάτι είναι από το δεύτερό τους άλμπουμ με τίτλο Hard Attack και εξώφυλλο από τον Frank Frazetta. Ίσως το πιο ασύμβατο (ηχητικα αλλά όχι θεματικά) κομμάτι του playlist.

Εδώ κλείνει και το σημερινό βροχερό soundtrack...

Περιμένω εντυπώσεις και προτάσεις. Στείλτε μου και τα δικά σας βροχερά playlists. σας περιμένω.

Enjoy

Η ιστορία μιας διασκευής (το παραμύθι ενός remix)

2007-01-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

Η μουσική εποχή που διανύουμε θα μπορούσε να περιγραφεί ως εποχή των διασκευών των remix και του sampling. Λογικό, αφού η «δυτική» μουσική έχει «τελειώσει» και δεν μένει σχεδόν τίποτε άλλο να παιχτεί στο δωδεκάφθογγο σύστημα. Έτσι, όλοι την έχουν δει «διασκευαστές» και «αναμασητές». Συχνά μια διασκευή ή ένα sampled κομμάτι ξεπερνούν το πρωτότυπο, δίνοντάς του άλλη χροιά και φρεσκάροντάς το. Άλλες φορές (τις πιο πολλές, δυστυχώς) είναι κατώτερα και συνήθως δεν έχουν λόγο ύπαρξης. Περιττό να πω ότι γίνεται του κλέψαντος το κάγκελο γενικότερα... Ας δούμε όμως μερικά παραδείγματα:

Πολλοί από σας θα έχετε ακούσει το Crazy του ντουέτου Gnarls Barkley. Το συγκεκριμένο κομμάτι είναι μάλιστα το πρώτο μουσικό κομμάτι που διανέμεται αποκλειστικά από το διαδίκτυο. Ωστόσο, αυτό που πολλοί δεν γνωρίζουν (και, δυστυχώς, δεν αναφέρεται πουθενά στην ιστοσελίδα των καλλιτεχνών - διορθώστε με αν κάνω λάθος) είναι ότι η πραγματικά υπέροχη μελωδία του Crazy είναι εξ ολοκλήρου κλεμμένη από το Nel Cimitero Di Tucson του Ιταλού κινηματογραφικού συνθέτη Gianfranco Reverberi! Έτσι, επιβεβαιώνεται και η θεωρία της έλλειψης έμπνευσης...

Και σε άλλες περιπτώσεις, διάφοροι αρπαχτάκηδες κάνουν επιτυχία ως διάττοντες αστέρες αντιγράφοντας απροκάλυπτα (με την ελπίδα ότι δεν θα ανακαλύψουν ποτέ την πηγή τους). Τρανό παράδειγμα οι Lemon με το Mr Bongo, ένα οργανικό γκρουβάτο κομμάτι που έκανε μεγάλη επιτυχία στα retro dancefloors πριν λίγα χρόνια (όταν παίζω το συγκεκριμένο σε κάποιο μαγαζί, πολλοί με ρωτούν να μάθουν ποιο είναι, ακόμη και σήμερα). Παρ' όλα αυτά, το κομμάτι είναι πανομοιότυπο με το Assault Course του Johnny Pearson το οποίο και θα βρείτε στη συλλογή Music For Dancefloors: The Cream Of The KPM Library. Οι Lemon θα έπρεπε να ντρέπονται γιατί όχι μόνο δεν πρόσθεσαν τίποτε στο τραγούδι (εκτός από κάποια voice samples) αλλά το «έγδυσαν» κιόλας από τα πνευστά που είχε το αυθεντικό και ήταν όλη η ουσία!!!

Άλλες φορές όμως, ειδικότερα όταν ισχύει ο όρος «διασκευή» και όχι «remix», τα πράγματα είναι καλύτερα. Ακούστε π.χ. το Come as You Are (το γνωστό κομμάτι των Nirvana) από το jazz τρίο του Charlie Hunter. Πρωτότυπο, ξεκινάει με το θέμα του Smells Like Teen Spirit και χάνεται στα αυτοσχεδιαστικά μονοπάτια της μπάντας. Αυτό είναι διασκευή.

Και για το τέλος του ποστ, μια υπέροχη διασκευή είναι επίσης και το Wonderwall των Oasis από τους/τις καταπληκτικούς/ες Cat Power. Μια διασκευή απαλλαγμένη από την britpopίλα, σκοτεινή και εκφραστική...

Περιμένω απορίες, προτάσεις, ερωτήσεις, σχόλια και ό,τι άλλο σας κατεβεί στο μυαλό και σχετίζεται με τη μουσική...

Kill Your DJ!

2007-01-23T03:20:00.000-08:00

Καλησπέρα!!!

Ο Nada ανανεώνεται και προσφέρει υπηρεσίες στη μπλογκόσφαιρα!

Από σήμερα μπορείτε να περιηγείστε στον νέο μου μπλογκ το οποίο τιτλοφορείται Music For Dummies και έχει ως αποκλειστικό θέμα τη μουσική. Θα περιλαμβάνει μουσικές προτάσεις, κριτική σε παλιές και νέες κυκλοφορίες, downloads, άρθρα του παρελθόντος, δεσμούς σε ενδιαφέρουσες μουσικές ιστοσελίδες, οδηγίες για τη χρήση Cubase, στίχους, ταμπλατούρες, sheet music και πολλά άλλα. Με λίγα λόγια, ένα μικρό μουσικό portal.

Και, για να ξεκινήσουμε, σας έχω μια ωραία πρόταση: Θέλετε να απαλλαγείτε μια για πάντα από τους ενοχλητικούς DJ και να γίνετε DJ του εαυτού σας; Θέλετε να ακούσετε καινούρια πράγματα σχετικά με το είδος της μουσικής που προτιμάτε; Θέλετε να πάψετε να ρωτάτε από 'δω κι από 'κει για τη μουσική που σας αρέσει;

Τότε, επισκεφτείτε αυτήν τη σελίδα!!!

Γράψτε το όνομα του τραγουδιού ή του καλλιτέχνη που σας αρέσει και η Πανδώρα θα βρει τραγούδια και καλλιτέχνες παρόμοιους με αυτό που ζητήσατε!!! Αν, π.χ. το τραγούδι σας περιέχει μινόρε αρμονία, πνευστά, σκληρές κιθάρες, πολυφωνίες κλπ, η Πανδώρα θα βρεί παρόμοια κομμάτια με αυτό! Μπορείτε να κάνετε skip στα πρώτα 6-10 κομμάτια (για λόγους copyright δεν σας αφήνει να κάνετε περισσότερα skip) και να δημιουργήσετε τον δικό σας ραδιοσταθμό! Δηλαδή, απαλλαχτείτε μια για πάντα από τους DJs! Τρελό, έ;

Και για όσους γουστάρουν λίγο «αρρωστημένο» γέλιο, περάστε από αυτή τη σελίδα!!! Εγώ έπαθα πλάκα!!!

Αντε, εις υγείαν του νέου ξεκινήματος!!!

Test Post

2007-01-23T02:08:00.000-08:00