Martyn - Ghost People (2011) - Hoxton album launch

Dutch producer Martyn is an electronic music pioneer and always puts on a banging set, and to celebrate the hotly anticipated release of his new album Ghost People in October, a big night was in order. Fortunately the line-up didn't disappoint, and with sets from Dbridge (Exit/Autonomic) and Hyperdub label boss Kode9 it was always going to be a corker.

Set in a sparse basement deep in the underbelly of Hoxton (with the venue remaining almost worryingly mysterious until the last minute), 3024's visual maestro and fellow Dutchman Erosie's artwork adorning the venue was a fitting backdrop for Martyn's unique fusion of techno, dubstep, funky and house.

After Manny Z warmed the room, including an awesomely leftfield remix of Blue Monday, Dbridge stepped up. Dbridge is a veteran who never disappoints, and tonight was no exception - with an eclectic bass driven set of melodic drum & bass, dub step and some jungly beats it was a floor filler. I think I lost about a stone brocking out.

Martyn's set raised the roof, and the crowd seemed to embrace the more housey direction of his new tunes, which he's discussed elsewhere. No Natural Selection or Vancouver here, this was the set of a DJ who clearly feels comfortable when constantly moving, shifting, defying expectations.
It would have been a great night ending after Martyn (the room was roaring) but it was topped off with the legendary Kode9 dropping some absolute bangers for his garage-filled finale. Awesome night.

Here's a taster of the album, but it has to be seen live.



Can't wait to session the album properly and hear where Martyn's headed. Ghost People is released on Brainfeeder on 10th October 2011.

Update: some great photos of the night over at Brainer mag

-L

Bon Iver - Bon Iver (2011)

several months after everyone's been hyping it, i finally gave the latest bon iver album a spin. i like it.

their sound comes close to talk talk, but it misses some raw awesomeness. maybe i'm just projecting my latest (re)obsession with talk talk.

still a great record though, even though they're not talk talk.


http://www.mediafire.com/?775v3ax776c4wva

-p

Wendy Rene - After Laughter (1964)

blogging's been slow lately now that we're all busy

but man this song



the youtube version doesn't really do justice to the song, so def check out http://www.mediafire.com/?qmgvewunwqk

if it sounds familiar:


-p

Ishilan N-Tenere - Guitar Music from the Western Sahel (2010)

“This compilation highlights recordings of local guitar bands in three areas of modern day Senegal and Mali. These bands are almost unknown outside of their homes but have a devoted local following. They play all events, celebratory or political. Their songs are folk anthems, hummed under the breath and chanted by children, traded by cassette and transferred by cellphone. The guitar bands are the pride of their towns.”
-sahelsounds.com

Lo-fi recordings consisting of sparse guitar rhythms, entrancing vocals and the occasional beat tapped on a guitar. in the background there's cars starting, kids playing and people chatting. the whole record just brings you right there. 'Zinezju Meghdem' delivers a drony introduction, but the album really kicks off at 'Hommage a Ali Farka Toure'. highly recommended.
-p

stream, buy or download the album here:
http://sahelsounds.bandcamp.com/
or www.mediafire.com/?xyhirxhwdmens2w

and check out their disclaimer:

"I fully support free music and the realism of digital availability. If you wish to download this album for free, please download it, as it shouldn't be difficult to find. But it's also available for those who wish to support the musicians and their work: 15% to Bandcamp, 50% to the artists....so buy it for $2 or $20!

Moondog - Moondog (1969)

Because of an incredibly shitty internet connection and general busyness it's been forever since I posted. Luke's totally been carrying the team with some epic posts. props.

Aight so here's Moondog.


















Wikipedia: Moondog, born Louis Thomas Hardin (May 26, 1916 – September 8, 1999), was a blind American composer, musician, poet and inventor of several musical instruments. Moving to New York as a young man, Moondog made a deliberate decision to make his home on the streets there, where he spent approximately twenty of the thirty years he lived in the city. Most days he could be found in his chosen part of town wearing clothes he had created based on his own interpretation of the Norse god Thor. Thanks to his unconventional outfits and lifestyle, he was known for much of his life as "The Viking of 6th Avenue".





http://www.mediafire.com/?dyqe10g1mjt

-p

Fool's Gold - S/T (2009)

I can't believe I haven't got round to posting about Fool's Gold on here before as I've basically been living their debut album for months and banging it out at any opportunity. I most recently dropped the track Surprise Hotel in The Windmill in Brixton when they were looking for some tunes between bands; awesome to play it over a big soundsystem! I also rocked Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo de Cotonou which was ace!

Difficult to describe but I'd probably say something along the lines of addictive up-tempo afro-licked world-pop. The tunes have such a great flow, with beautiful african-infused guitar work, complimented by the soft toned harmonies of Luke Top (bassist/vocalist) and Lewis Pesacov (lead guitar). Pesacov also throws in some gorgeous and sometimes hectic sax which really blends the vibe into something quite unique.

Enough of this; listen to the first track on their self-titled album - Surprise Hotel - and then do so OBSESSIVELY. (video is ridiculous though)



I can't condone stealing this album, but some people like that kind of thing.

-L

Shangaan electro: Tshetsha Boys

What can I say? These guys are big in the game. Lilting high-tempo new wave african dance that you can't help moving to: the sweet vocal melodies carry it through for an awesome party vibe. Loving this.



-L