Highly recommend the new Q-Tip LP, been on rotation all week for me and one of the albums of the year, definately hip hop wise anyway. The below Grace Jones remix which I believe won't be getting officially released, no idea why since it's great. Finally, a short but very good cover of an all time house music classic.
An excellent compilation that provides a great insight into the psych scene over in Paris (and beyond), covering a number of styles, from really heavy, feedback-laden acid rock, to Stooges-style acid-punk, droning Velvet Underground (or Suicide) style pieces to psychedelic string section-lead songs. Hadn't heard of most of the bands on here before but will be delving deeper, as well as checking more stuff out by the excellent Turzi who compiled it.
Keeping with the random nature of music on this blog, here's three gems I re-discovered whilst digging through some old stuff today (all released in 1997 I believe). The 'Live Garage Version' of Gabriel is still the best but thought I'd post the below remix since it took me a bit by surprise (never properly listened to them all before) and everybody's heard the other version a hundred times already. 'Tings In Time' still sounds great as does the MAW remix.
After hearing him again on the Recloose track below and also on the new Jazzanova LP (cheers AC), thought I'd post his first demo LP from back in 98/99 which never got an official release. Bootlegged like crazy and all over the net, just in case anyone might have missed it though (and since it still sounds good). Download it here. Also can't seem to find another unreleased demo LP of his anymore, 'Beat Dat'. If anyone has a link, please feel free to share it. A few bonus tracks...
..tracks on a similar vibe to the below comp. Deep, dark, driving and slightly 'dubby'? Is that a word. Best enjoyed played at a high volume imho. Also check the Herbert remix of 'Can't Take It' if you never have before, a classic. These four just happened to be easily available here on my HD, can dig a bit deeper for plenty more similar stuff if people enjoy them.
Dug this out again from a few years back. Compiled by Volcov aka Isoul8. Some deep detroit techno/ housey/electro-ish/broken beat 'esque' shit is the best way I can describe it. Shocking description I know but just download it and see for yourself, some good stuff. Thought my reviews would at least be getting better by now...
"Excellent, very hard to find mixes packed with obscure horror themed proto-punk, eccentric glam-rock, disco, supernatural soundtracks and more. Cunningly interspersed with dialogue from the creepiest of giallos and voiceovers from the sleaziest, drive-in, horror double-bills that you can possibly imagine - pure grindhouse!" 
As requested. Don't know too much about this except for DJ Harvey and Black Cock Edits written on the front of the cdr. Have no idea when or who compiled it. Obviously some sort of bootleg since you can hear the vinyl recordings and it overlapping into the next tracks in some cases. Who knows if they are even all Black Cock related? 11 of them here anyway. Heres a copy & paste job from Harvey's site about Black Cock: 'Gerry and Harvey together are responsible for the highly influential and collectible Black Cock records. The labels' releases are known as foundations for the resurgence of "left field," "warehouse" and "garage" type of music. Black Cock was like a voice in the wilderness when it started up in the early 1990s, as it was very unique and forward-thinking for its era. The dance music world of that time was at a crossroads. Disco dub & techno just starting to be heard out at the disco more, but the Black Cock records were edits reaching a bit deeper into "cosmic," "Balearic" & were just a little more fucked up sounding than the others. The records have had everything and anything appear in their mysterious grooves -- disco re-edits inspired by original tape edits from house music pioneers such as Larry Levan and Ron Hardy; strange sound effects and dialogue; to heavy, spacey drum breaks and samples.While gaining a reputation for being more "out there" than most, at the same time Black Cock was still fun and kept a more tongue in cheek attitude - from it's name, on down to the humorously titled tracks, credits, and logo mascot. However, it might be said that the label was so unique and advanced at one point that in fact, many distributors were unable to move copies and resorted to throwing hundreds of unsold records in the trash bin! Whoops! Fast forward ten or more years and now these elusive slices of sonic mayhem change hands between mania collectors and regularly fetch over hundreds of dollars easily on internet auction sites, as well as stylistically paving the way for a slew of imitators. These days it's not hard to browse thru a glut of modern "left field" "cosmic" "balearic" or "disco dub" re-edits at any well-stocked dance music store, a market that just wouldn't exist if Black Cock hadn't paved the way.' If anyone can id any, provide a tracklist, or even confirm if they are indeed Harvey/Black Cock related, would be appreciated.
As requested and since it's still sitting on my desktop coincidentally, here it is in double quick time for once. Still not too sure about his LP 'Welcome' but this mix is right up my street.
Balearic or not, theres some absolute classics on this...a few which haven't aged so well either it has to be said. Also wasn't sure if there was a reissue out or whether this was still slightly difficult to get hold of? Personally haven't seen many CD version's of it anywhere so here it is for your listening pleasure.
Three of my favourite Metheny related tracks (ideal background music for reading the Sunday papers to I find...) , but probably his most well known ones too. I'm sure many of you knowledgeable readers are much more familiar with his vast array of work than me, so what other albums and particular featured tracks of his should I be checking out? (obviously apart from the 3 lp's these are taken from) Any recommendations would be very welcome.
I originally posted about this documentary in June of last year, so it's taken a while for it to finally get shown over here. Check out the website and trailer. Not much more to say except that it's a must see. It's only showing at the ICA for one week so you'll have to book your tickets pretty quick. I like this story by Theo Thonnessen in the sleevenotes to 'I Like It Vol 1' about this particular track though: 'I wonder how dance music of today would sound, without Arthur Russell's influences. This man was definitely ahead of his time. I got this as a white label from Gilles Peterson years ago when he was playing in our club Into Somethin'. Talkin Loud wanted to put out some of Arthur Russell's unreleased tracks at that time. So a limited number of 12" promos were pressed. Somehow it never came out officially. The morning after Gilles' gig, I came home, put 'In the light...' on and listened to it for hours till I fell asleep next to the turntable. My love affair with deep-house began that day." 
Slightly random but heres three classics I've had on repeat today. Verging on the camp but that just makes me love em even more. Bring on the weekend. Scenes.
Whilst I was posting the below, it reminded me of this great Charlie Dark produced tune on the new Brownswood Bubblers 3 comp. I'm gulity of not normally listening to the lyrics of most tracks with any sort of concentration but these definately struck me on a more deeper & poignant level than the average stuff I come across - especially apt for the current times we are in. Oh yeah, if you haven't got it already, go buy this comp - you need it! Buy here 
Charlie & Tony compiled this great comp a few years back now but it's only just recently been back on my headphones again. I love the feeling you get when you haven't listened to an album you've had for ages and are surprised by a tune you hadn't really 'got' or listened to properly the first time round for whatever reason. The opening Pal Joey track on here is definately one of those for me that I've re-discovered. Plenty more quality tracks on here as well though. Anyone know if X:Treme records is still going?
Don't normally do re-ups but made an exception for Jacksoul - quality track and I know its hard to get hold of. Obviously the Sade/Terje one people were having problems with so hopefully this new link should work. Let me know if theres anymore that are playing up. In fact I don't mind re-upping a couple of older tracks people might have missed first time round but no album re-up requests please.
Re-ups coming this week, finally! In the meantime, heres a quick gem I was forwarded from a friend. Guessing he got it online somewhere cos I know he def didn't make it himself, ha - he wishes I'm sure (cheers d - much appreciated though :p) . Anyways, its a 'mashup' (another term I hate) of Studio's remix of Brown Piano by A Mountain of One and a Clipse track (lyrics to be precise). Sounds like an unusual combination but it works a treat. Hopefully the zshare link will work but if it's still giving problems, will change hosts.
