Benjamin Rolfe

I heard this track on Radio 1 yesterday whilst stuck in a traffic jam. It took me a while to realise that it wasn’t some sort of effeminate barber shop quartet. The main clues were the solo voice coming in with ‘Don’t f*** with me, don’t f*** with me.’ And the entrance of a pounding minimalist electro hip-hop groove. I sat in my car, in the rain, wishing I had taken the time to hook the sub back up in the boot.

Anyway, I got in and found the track, it’s called BTSTU by Jai Paul, and here it is:

BTSTU – Jai Paul

Jai Paul is, relatively speaking, a newcomer to the music scene, and has so far only released this track. He’s currently supported by XL, the same label as M.I.A. and The xx.

And I really hope he releases something else soon. Definitely one to keep an eye out for.

Spot the Cherry Bakewell

This self recorded album is almost entirely created by one man, Ben Cooper.

He is, in my opinion, one of the very few artists within the music industry lucky enough to create music completely consisting of ones own ideas, and with little or no input from record labels and producers. Boy am I jealous.

I saw an interview with him in which he showed you the shed used to record and produce the album.  Including such tracks as ‘Welcome Home‘, in which you can hear Ben himself stamping on a piece of wood over and over to create the basic metronome for the piece, however then left it in ‘cos he thought it sounded cool. Thats what I love about this music. It seems completely unmodified, uncensored and real.

My favorite track has to be ‘Welcome Home‘. I discovered the album when my girlfriend saw a nikon advert, and fell in love with the music. So I found the song, and bought the album. Simples.

Other good tracks on the album are ‘Let The River In‘, ‘Glory‘ and ‘Homesick‘.

Spot the homemade drumkit…

I tried categorising Nostalgia 77 when I started writing this entry, and as usual decided it draws on influences from at least 5 or 6 different genres.  Seems to be a common trait in much of the music I like. Maybe it’s a trait in post 90′s music altogether.

Anyway, to quote last.fm, Ben Lamdin’s creations range from heavy funk, to hip-hop based beats mixed with dusty old jazz, obscuro funk and psych bits and pieces. My thoughts precisely.

Tracks to check are ‘Changes’ and their cover, featuring Alice Russell, of The White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’.

Seven Nation Army is pure brilliance. Alice Russell’s piercing voice with that dirty hip-hop shuffle. Quality.

You must listen to it:

Seven Nation Army – Nostalgia 77 ft. Alice Russell

Hip-hop connoisseurs among you will also appreciate ‘Freedom‘.

Tommy Cooper quote? Sure,

My friend drowned in a bowl of muesli. A strong currant pulled him in..

Kate liked that one

So, not so much of an album as an artist today. I recently purchased the James Blake EP on vinyl. As well as a vinyl copy of the ‘Limit To Your Love’ single. Which is crazy good.

I would advise anyone who hasn’t heard James Blake before to check this out:

James Blake – Limit To Your Love

(You will need to be listening on speakers that can handle some serious sub frequencies, or quality headphones, or you will literally miss out on half the song)

Not what I would normally find myself listening to. A kind of chillout electronic sound I suppose. The first time I heard this track someone had posted it to my brother on facebook, I clicked on it and listened on my computer speakers – obviously not hearing half the song. Thought it was awful. I assumed I was missing something so I listened through the sound system in my room – consisting of a 5.1 surround and a car sub hooked up to a far too powerful amp. It is astounding. Try it.

As for the EP, it’s very sparse, simple and mesmerising. Another great set of tracks for a late night work or chillout reading sesh. Do people still read? Well anyway, they should. Books is good.

The first track I heard on the album, or of any Zero 7 song to be honest, was ‘In the Waiting Line’. Something I have come to realise about myself, in writing this blog, is that, although for the most part my memory is absolutely atrocious, I can remember the first hearing of nearly every single song I can think of.

Back in the day, when myspace ruled the webular roost, someone on my ‘friends list’ was using it as, what connoisseurs among you would have called, a ‘profile song’. Anyway, I remember clicking the play button over and over, until I probably decided to just buy the pesky thing.

The album is sublime. Other songs to look out for are Lukienfiele, Destiny, Red Dust, Polaris…and the rest of the album.

Once again another must have, the perfect accompaniment to a late night work session, along with a bottle of JD.

Live versions to check out are:

In The Waiting Line – Live on Jools Holland – Listen for the organ solo at 3:05. B.e.a.utiul

Destiny – Live somewhere

Spot of dinner with the sister

I discovered Portishead only last year while walking through a textiles shop along Berwick Street with my girlfriend. ‘Numb‘ was playing on the radio, it sounded kinda weird, but good weird, so I ‘Shazamed’ it on my phone.

Got home, listened to it on youtube, bought the album. My favorite track has got to be Glory Box though. The guitar solo is so perfect and so simple. Only lasts about 20 seconds. I’ll leave it to you to find it.

Another must have album as far as i’m concerned. Check out some of the live versions of their songs too..

Glory Box – Portishead (Live at the Roseland NYC) – Absolutely phenomenal

Moral of the story is, if you want good music, make sure to pop into obscure textile shops as often as possible.

Or just read my blog..

I was introduced to this album little under a year ago by an old school pal. He played me ‘Work’, a sort of Hip-Hop meets Jazz track. It’s amazing. If you haven’t heard it type it in on youtube right now and give it a listen. In fact no, here it is for you (it’s that important): Work – Rjd2

As for the rest of the album, it’s incredible.

I love my Instrumental Hip-Hop, Jazz and Funk. It’s got a bit of them all.

Other favorite tracks on the album are F.H.H. Ft. Jakki, Ghostwriter and Chicken-Bone Circuit.

On quiet days I like to sit in my comfy clothes and spend hours on the trusty practice pad. Rudimentary heaven.