News
Track: Paloma Faith brings the soul on Can’t Rely On You, plus album news
It’s funny who you run into. I, in my younger days (not that much younger, I’ll admit to that) used to have these shoes that allowed my to slide, slightly Fred Astaire like, down the aisles of the Tesco (and other supermarkets in other places, but bear with me on this) nearest to my work. …
News: Paul Weller announces five ‘Forest Live’ dates
The ‘Modfather’ is getting back to nature again this summer. Following the success of last years ‘Forest Live’ gigs, Paul Weller, in conjunction with the Forestry Commision, has just announced a string of live dates all set in beautiful woodland surroundings. “It will be good for me to be back in the woods. I really …
News: Ronny Jordan, pioneer of Acid Jazz, dies at 52
I always had this thing about Jazz, but the record that really opened the door for me, was Jazzmatazz Vol. 1. Former Gang Starr mainstay Guru released the album, essentially a hip-hop record but one that was infused with, or rather soaked in Jazz and Jazz-Funk. It went heavy on my stereo till it wore …
See: Darlia, the most exciting guitar band in the UK?, announce tour dates
“The most exciting guitar band in the UK” according to Nigel Harding, head of playlists at Radio 1. A bold statement, but it’s one that seems to be getting support from every quarter. Hotly tipped by many to be one of the biggest acts of 2014, Blackpool trio, Darlia, are already drawing comparisons to the …
See: The Crookes release new video for PLay Dumb, plus album and tour dates
If ‘Play Dumb’ was written to provoke a conversation, then it certainly succeeded in my eyes. The premier single on The Crookes third album, Soapbox, offers an interesting dichotomy of prettiness and intelligence, sincerity and lies, superficial attraction and dark secrets. The anguish in singer George Waite’s eyes seems all too real as he is …
Track: Cleo T releases new single ‘I love me, I love me not’, plus album news
If I had any command whatsoever of the French language I would probably be able to write an article full of cleverly gauge, quoting French phrases and words to confirm my admiration for French chan…..chant, singer Cleo T. Sadly apart from ordering beer and (randomly) being able to ask the whereabouts if the tourist information …
Track: Kagoule make Adjust the Way available on free download, plus tour dates
In a world where more and more seems to be coming neatly packaged and conforming to an accepted norm, it is nice to find that there are still people out there prepared to steer away from the mainstream flow. Nottingham trio Kagoule have been around a few years now. Early demo’s ‘Monarchy’ & ‘Made of …
News: Morbid Angel reissue Covenant, plus US tour dates
I once read a review of some music that claimed that it was ‘a crass monster, a hideously writhing wounded dragon, which refuses to expire, and though bleeding in the Finale, furiously beats about with its tail erect.’ It illustrates two things, it shows that not everybody understands or likes new music, but also it …
New Music: Fatboy Slim – Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat, plus tour news
I grew up with Fatboy Slim. Not in a literal sense you understand, that would be rather silly. But I copied his basslines off my Housemartins ‘London 0 Hull 4‘ cassette, fell in with dance music and one of the first things I bought was his Pizzaman LP (without even knowing it was him), Beats …
News: Dead Leaf Echo announce US Tour Dates
The celebrated American Poet Robert Frost noted that “There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail shot that you can’t move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies.” To be fair to most teachers these days, quail shot …