Recommended Listening - Volume 3

In my current job, I have to commute 30 miles a day to get to work and back.

This gives me just over 2 hours a day in my car to listen to music and enjoy the ride.

Today's recommendation list comes from the CDs that have been featuring on my commute the most.

1.

Death Grips - The Money Store

This album is brilliantly aggressive. Certainly Zach Hill's greatest project yet. His instantly recognizable, off-kilter drum grooves are ever present.

2.

Braids - Native Speaker

This album is so beautiful. Braids have a talent of shifting tempo so well in their songs that it's seamless. The whole album is a standout but it was Same Mum that made me fall in love with them.

3.

Twin Shadow - Forget

I first heard of Twin Shadow via Grizzly Bear sharing the music video for Slow on their Facebook page. I was in Japan when I first heard that song so I didn't buy the CD and subsequently forgot about it until I came back to the UK last year.

The rest of the album is not as "My Bloody Valentine" as Slow but more of a New Wave journey with sick basslines.

In a Good Way

Last weekend, I went to Cologne with a dear friend to watch some beautiful music and admire the surroundings. On the Saturday, we had some fun with chalk. I made a short film showing some of the time we spent on one particular piece.

A Firm Attachment To His Country

I went to a family get-together in Leicester over the weekend. I hadn't seen most of my family in over fifteen years.

It was good seeing everyone. We all drank a lot and I spoke to my nephew about Minecraft.

I got to Leicester a few hours earlier than the rest of the family so, I took a walk around the surrounding area. I went to the Richard III exhibition and also bought Idlewild's "Captian" for 99p, result!

On my way to Leicester Cathedral I went through a graveyard and came across some amazing gravestones. There was one in particular that grabbed my attention:

"Beneath are deposited the remains of Richard Braginton, Quarter Master Serjeant of the South Devon Militia; who expir'd suddenly in this Town on his march to Nottingham, in the night of the 15th of February 1812 after retiring to rest in perfect health;

Aged 60 years.

He served 40 in the said Regiment, with unabated Zeal, diligence, and Loyalty to his King; and firm attachment to his Country;
While his private conduct was equally commendable.

For Rectitude, Probity and Sobriety; He was esteem'd by his Officers, and beloved by his fellow soldiers. 

To perpetuate the remembrance of his worth, This stone was caus'd to be erected By his Colonel Lord ROLLE.

Reader, may this additional Example of the awful uncertainty of Life, prove a warning to thee to prepare for a similar fate by a faithful discharge of the duties of thy station; and by an humble reliance on the merits of thy Redeemer."

The words on this gravestone - particularly the last paragraph - really brought the gathering of my family into perspective.

I loved this gravestone so much, that I've written and dedicated this piece of music to Richard.

Window

The seasons are changing and my garden now looks like a jungle!

Compared to a few months ago the landscape has changed dramatically, I love it.

Here's a little video showing its current state.

Also there's a shovel in there somewhere.

Commute

For a few weeks in February I filmed my journeys to and from work when on my nightshifts in an old job. 

Central London can be quite beautiful in the dead of night. It mostly consisted of tube rides but there were a few buses involved too. 

Music also composed for this collection. Enjoy!  

Brussels to Luxembourg

I've just got back from a little trip to Brussels and Luxembourg. I met some old friends, I made new friends, it was brilliant!

I'll write a full entry about the trip soon, in the meantime, I made a video and wrote some music involving the train journey from Brussels to Luxembourg. Enjoy x

Recommended Listening - Volume 2

The recent announcement from Soundway Records of a new Africa Special compilation coming out at the end of this month has got me very excited!

My first foray into West African music from the '60s - '80s was when I won one of these compilations in a competition at an old job.

This newest selection is the record label's first release from East Africa, it's also the first Africa Special release in three years so it's been a long time coming. I've already pre-ordered my copy and you can here: http://soundwayrecords.greedbag.com/buy/kenya-special-selected-east-afri/


With this in mind I'm going to recommend two albums today for anyone who wants to listen to any music from this fantastic era.

1.

The Anambra Beats - Ayamma

From the album "Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Blues & Nigerian Blues 1970-6"

This is the song that started my love for this genre and compilation series. This is the first track from the album(that I won from work). Everything about this song makes me smile; the tonality, the repetition, the key, the guitar rift, the trumpet solo, the main vocalist's throaty voice, it's a joy to listen to. 

Every song on this compilation has the same heart and soul as this starter and it's a great place to begin your journey.

On a side note, the Nigeria Special series also has a disco compilation which is unlike anything else I've ever heard.

2.

Orchestra Baobab - Sou Sedhiou

From the album "Bamba"

Orchestra Baobab are a Senegalese band that have been around for decades. They went on a 15 year hiatus in 1986 but released a new album in 2007. It was this album that I first heard of theirs but it's this compilation of earlier tracks, released in '93 that I keep coming back too.

Although they are heavily influenced by Cuban Son music, my favourite song from this album is this fast-paced highlife soaked number. This song brings nothing but good feelings to me and it has possibly my favourite guitar solo ever (2:30 in). It's also been one of my main bass practice songs so I've heard it a lot and am still not sick of it!