Track of the Week

Tomáš Dvořák is a Czech composer dedicating his talents towards the electronica and nu-jazz sounds.  He’s better known as Floex.  His album Pocustone was released in 2001, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s an amazing 13 tracks and one hour’s worth of diverse electronic music.  So this week I have chosen the following track as track of the week…

Floex – Phi_log
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 7th September.

Pocustone has been Floex’s only released album to date (soundtracks and remix projects aside), last.fm statistics state that just 500 people have listened to the Floex material, but you crazy cats need to recognise.  If you like your electronica with a hint of jazz, perhaps in a slightly similar vein to fellow Czechs Khoiba or Alvik (but instrumental), then Floex is all systems go.  But… chances are, if you’ve heard of Khoiba or Alvik, then you already know of Floex.  Basically, just listen to the bloody song, then go buy the album… or else.

Useful links:

• Download – Floex – Phi_log
• Floex website

Magik & Mayhem

Way back at the beginning of July, I featured a group called Area 27 as part of my weekly Unearthing MySpace Gems feature. Well, being such nice people they sent me a copy of their album Magik & Mayhem – now it doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to figure out what happened next – yup, I listened to it and now I’m writing about it… just like that.

You can actually listen to some of the tracks from this album up on the Area 27 MySpace page, so make sure you check that out, but now for some words. The album kicks off with Black Sun, an anthem of a trip-hop track, if ever I heard one. Shalien’s smooth and soulful vocals over the chilled yet fiery musical accompaniment are a match made in heaven. As I listened to this track I could sense a nostalgic feeling of trip-hop from days gone by, presented in a timeless manner. I’ve said it before; of all the fashions and trends that change over time, good music is always the most stubborn of elements – flares and haircuts come and go, perhaps to return for mocking at a later date, but good music maintains respect always.

Area 27 – Black Sun
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 6th September.

The next track is Dancing On The Moon, a dreamy track built upon catchy electronic samples and eerie vocals – it’s very catchy. Stereofab is a more gritty effort, dark beats and electric chaos, but alas this is merely a short bridging track to take us to Wild Card. This maintains the gritty feel of Stereofab, but introduces a driven vocal from Shalien, it’s like an electro folk rock track. Imagine a more in-your-face raw version of Morcheeba, add some attitude, then you might get close to Wild Card.

Intergalatic changes from your typical trip-hop sound, replaces the drums with those of an energetic rock track, but keeps the ethereal vocals as heard previously. It’s an interesting track, but a good move, breaks the album up nicely without disrupting the listening experience. Generally it’s just nice to hear some variance throughout the album – but as ever it is all about the balance and not crossing those fine lines – so far Area 27 have accomplished this. Driving With Future Self is another track combining the rock and electronica elements. It has a real powerful intro, layers of guitar, beats, and effects. Like atmospheric electro-rock, it’s a beautiful instrumental piece.

Then enter the downtempo trance’esque Sphinx Fever. This track has elements of Aphex Twin and watching the sunrise at Space in Ibiza – an alternative chilled dance creation. Human/Alien continues the chilled out angle presented by Sphinx Fever, but also sees the return of Shalien’s soothing vocals. A downtempo electronica track with husky, haunting, vocals and sporadic drum driven build ups. Say My Name has the unmistakable sounds of jungle rhythms, and by that I don’t mean lots of exotic trees and Tarzan, I mean jungle music – drum ‘n bass’ older brother. The thing I love about this track is that the jungle beat doesn’t consume the track. Often in jungle tracks it is the beat that holds the main emphasis, but the balance in Say My Name is impeccable – the addition of other electronica sounds and samples, and of course Shalien’s vocals – very impressive.

Area 27 – Say My Name
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 6th September.

Circles is the penultimate track on the album. This goes back to the earlier rock sounds, and like a slice of lime in your Corona, this sits nicely after the last track. You could say this is energetic rock with electro tendencies, it’s certainly a catchy number. The last track is Somewhere Between, fantastically positioned as the outro track. It’s euphoric, cinematic, atmospheric, and inspiring – a plethora of aural experiences in one track. Nothing too heavy, yet at the same time more than enough. It is apparent that all the best albums seem to have their tracks in a pristine playing order – this trip-hop, downtempo, electronica, rock, album Magik & Mayhem fits right into that category.

As you may have read on the Area 27 MySpace page, Jamie Chez, whom played bass and guitar on Say My Name, sadly passed away during the making of this album. A portion of the money made from the sales of Magik & Mayhem is being donated to Jamie’s daughter Nova at www.novasfund.org – so all the more reason to purchase this wonderful album.

Useful links:

• Area 27 MySpace page
• Download – Area 27 – Black Sun
• Download – Area 27 – Say My Name

Shits and Giggles

A real mish-mash of information and shared delights for you today. I think we’ll start with something that is becoming a bit of a legendary occurrence annually (yes, I said annually)…

Remember that time Daphne and Celeste got bottles of piss thrown at them at Reading Festival? What about the time G-Unit got the the same treatment? Well, this year it was the turn of emo band My Chemical Romance! They got what was described as a “heavy bottling”. Be great to hear from any eye witnesses, but supposedly it was a pretty constant torrent of bottles, golf balls, and fruit, through out their set on the main stage. Still, it’s all fun and games till someone loses a bollock.

Let us now forget about My Chemical Romance, and randomly I’ll share with you a track from Dabrye’s 2001 album One/Three. This chap is a master of the instrumental hip-hop, although his angle leans more towards Prefuse 73 than say Wax Tailor. Enjoy this one on the rizzle…

Dabrye – With A Professional
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 4th September.

Uh-oh, seems My Chemical Romance weren’t the only casualties at Reading Festival. Panic! At The Disco front man Brendan Urie got hit smack-bang in the face by a bottle, just seconds into their set. Apparently it knocked him out cold for a few seconds. Seriously, violence isn’t cool, but the immature fart-joke part of me cant help by chuckle a bit at the thought of some guy just getting into a sing-song, then hitting the deck like his bones suddenly gained 500lbs – perhaps like those goats that faint all the time! Anyway, don’t throw bottles at people… if you can help it.

Have you heard of All Good Funk Alliance? No? You’re dearly missing out. Frank Cueto and Russell Belicek formed this downtempo funk group in 97, but it’s their 2006 album Social Comment that has grabbed me by the balls – a brilliant combination of funk, breakbeat, hip-hop, and downtempo sounds. Be sure to check out their MySpace page, and here’s a taster for you now…

All Good Funk Alliance – Codeword For A Change
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 5th September.

Enjoy the tunes and consume the stories. Until next time, adios amigos.

Useful links:

• Download – Dabrye – With A Professional
• All Good Funk Alliance MySpace page
• Download – All Good Funk Alliance – Codeword For A Change

Unearthing MySpace Gems

I’ve got more gems than De Beers. So, as it is Sunday, I’ll share five with you. A quick reminder on how this weekly feature works; all pages featured have had less than 10,000 page-views. If you know of any artists on MySpace, with less than that many page-views, that you think I should feature, please let me know. You can either email me to the address at the left, or send me a message and/or friends request (if you are an artist or band) at my personal MySpace page or the >>just like music MySpace page.

Dirt Poor Robins – http://www.myspace.com/dirtpoorrobins

This indie rock duo are actually a married couple. Neil and Kate Robins create fantastic cinematic rock that will enthral you and leave you wanting more. From their powerful take on Eleanor Rigby to the acoustic melodies of Great Vacation, this is an angle on rock not to be missed. The music feels as if it must have been meticulously crafted, painstakingly, then infused with brilliant lyrics and vocals. Total compositions, more than worthy of gracing thine fine ears.

LateBloomer – http://www.myspace.com/latebloomertheartist

Some interesting sounds coming out of Norway, as ever.  LateBloomer’s tracks are a blend of electronica, jazz, and pop.  I guess you could say they’re on a downtempo lounge kind of tip, specially the ultra-cool We Are All One and Dreaming.  It’s the components within the music that really make LateBloomer stand out – so smooth and soulful.  Fans of jazzy downtempo music wont want to miss out on this.

Pitching Woo – http://www.myspace.com/pitchingwoo

What to say about this Melbourne quintet?  They don’t take themselves too seriously, going by their MySpace page – but… their music is seriously good.  Their track The Colder Front is some heavy indie stuff – it’s atmospheric electro rock pop, or something.  Anyway, genres and descriptions aside, this is just good music.  Be sure to check out the atmospheric If I Don’t Sleep, it’s pretty damn addictive.  Dynamic rock for cinematic ears.

Her Daddy is a Guru – http://www.myspace.com/herdaddyisaguru

Experimental folk-rock is what this British trio output.  The music is melodic and catchy, the vocals are inspiring and enticing, the total package is more than appealing.  The track Her Daddy is a Guru sounds like an instant classic, plucked straight from a movie soundtrack, beautifully arranged and presented.  You May Be Thinking About Love is more on a country tip, although if anything shows off lead singer Mary’s fantastic voice.  Definitely listen to all the tracks on their MySpace page, the last thing you’ll do is regret it.

The Q4 – http://www.myspace.com/quadraphoniq

My buddy Linda told me bout these Dutch fellas, and I’m glad she did.  Such beautiful music – think jazz, electronica, fantastic beats.  But it doesn’t end there, these three producers like their hip-hop and they certainly know how to manipulate those beats and samples – just check out Look Again.  It’s cinematic hip-hop in a similar vein to Wax Tailor, and carries the atmospherics like the music of Amon Tobin and The Cinematic Orchestra.  If that’s the way you like your alternative hip-hop served, then grab a plate.

Your ears should be full up after all that aural consumption – I’m too good to you all, I really am.  Anyway, I’m a generous fella, so it comes with the territory.  Don’t forget to add those dudes to your MySpace friends list and leave them lots of lovely comments.

Useful links:

• Dirt Poor Robins MySpace page
• LateBloomer MySpace page
• Pitching Woo MySpace page
• Her Daddy is a Guru MySpace page
• The Q4 MySpace page

Born In The U.K.

As I mentioned just the other day, Badly Drawn Boy has a new album out soon. In fact, the album, Born In The U.K., is out on 16th October. However, and perhaps slightly more interestingly, BDB has released 500 copies of the title track, Born In The U.K., on 7″ vinyl. The Badly Drawn Boy website has been totally revamped in preparation for the new album, and says this with regards to the limited press of the single…

The ambiguous and unofficial release of Damon’s new strictly vinyl-only ’secret single’ of ‘Born In The UK’ has now been sent to carefully selected stores around the country and will be available for purchase from next week onwards. The unique ‘Fish ‘N Chip’ style packaging will come in 3 different colours and will be printed on 2 separate styles of paper. Each of the exclusive one sided test-pressing singles will be packaged in a unique ‘fold-out’ Badly Drawn Boy newspaper including a Badly Drawn Boy wooden chip fork. Supplies are limited to one portion per customer.

Chances are you wont be one of the lucky ones that gets their hands on a piece of rare vinyl, so you’ll have to settle for the mp3…

Badly Drawn Boy – Born In The U.K.
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 2nd September.

This track is a bit different to anything he’s done before, mainly evident through the drums on this track. But I like it, and I think it’s a good sort of track to introduce the new album/material. You can also check out the video on youtube. Pretty cool retro mish-mash of the UK from the 60s onwards.

Before the full album is released on 16th October, the first proper single release is on 2nd October – and that track will be Nothing’s Going to Change Your Mind. I’ll leave you now with the full track listing…

1. Born in the U.K.
2. Nothings Going to Change Your Mind
3. The Long Way Round
4. The Way things Used to Be
5. Welcome to the Overground
6. Without a Kiss
7. Time of Times
8. Journey from A to B
9. Degrees of Separation
10. One Last Dance

Useful links:

• Badly Drawn Boy website
• Download – Badly Drawn Boy – Born In The U.K.
• Video @ youtube – Badly Drawn Boy – Born In The U.K.