Wax Poetics – Issue 34

Wax Poetics Issue 34 for March is out right now and it’s a jazz special! The covers feature John Coltrane and Freddie Hubbard. This special issue also includes a feature on Creed Taylor, master producer for the aforementioned artists, and also has articles on Horace Tapscott, Richard Evans, Joel Dorn and Melvin Sparks.

Wax Poetics has been the proverbial bible for black and latin music since it started in December 2001 and this jazz special for Issue 34 makes for both an educational, and an immensely interesting, read. Frankly, you need it. So go cop it at your local independent record store or grab it online from the Wax Poetics site now.

mp3: John Coltrane – I’m Old Fashioned

The Long Lost – The Long Lost

The self-titled debut album from The Long Lost, the side-project of Daedelus and his wife Laura Darlington, is finally out and available right now via Ninja Tune. Regular readers of the blog may remember the Flying Lotus remixes I posted last September, but the full album has landed and it’s a blissfully soothing venture through the calmer reaches of Daedelus’ musical psyche, of course with beautiful accompaniment from, his dear partner in aural-arms, the talented Laura Darlington.

Side-stepping talk of genre or style for a moment, I’ve listened to this album a fair few times now and something that really stands out is the production quality. The direction and shaping of the sounds, the levels and general composition techniques are seriously impressive. Might be something that is more apparent to the listener who immerses them self in the music, as it were, but then I believe this album will indeed particularly appeal to such a type of person.

Tracklisting:

01. The Art of Kissing
02. Amiss
03. Sibliance
04. Overmuch
05. Past Perfect
06. Ballroom Dance Club
07. Siren Song
08. Colour
09. Regrets Only
10. Cat Fancy
11. Wobegone
12. Finders Keepers
13. Domestics
14. Awash

It’s a delicate album from The Long Lost, mainly focusing on hushed tones and dreamy sounds capes, but without making an overt impression, some of Daedelus’ famed stylings do make an appearance. The rhythm and energy of his drums, even in this lo-fi setting, are recognisable, yet not overbearing in any way. Tracks like The Art Of Kissing, Ballroom Dance Club, Regrets Only and Sibliance provide the listener with with a bass-kick fix, whilst a lot of the album holds to an inspiring blend of sea shanty and nursery rhyme. Not that this should make you take the album any less seriously, because it is quality material indeed. Elements of melancholy and psychedelia combine subtly throughout the album, but ‘subtly’ is the keyword – hard to classify but easy to love.

mp3: The Long Lost – Sibliance

We’re even treated to a downtempo latin/samba treat in the form of Amiss. It’s beautifully paced and features an exquisite array of instruments – the delicate percussion rides with multiple guitars of the acoustic variety and rhythmic vocals, naturally from Laura herself. The acoustic guitar features heavily throughout the album, seemingly as a backbone, dancing beautifully throughout each track and scenario. There’s quite an orchestral characteristic to the record, no doubt going back to what I said before with regards to the production quality and techniques. Everything in its right place – and that is not to say that this is predictable at all, because it will keep you on your toes, it just sounds so right.

Ultimately, this debut record from The Long Lost is a lo-fi folk record with elements of leftfield electronica, and inspired by lullabies and soothing melodies. Perfect to relax to, it’s easily accessible although the true beauty of the album may only be found by those actively seeking it. 48 minutes of ethereal sounds await the open-minded patron and those who wish to expand their musical horizons with something a little different. I genuinely fall in love a little bit more each time I listen. Whatever your tastes, should you find yourself inclined to do so, then I would suggest giving this album a fair go – it’s a beautiful journey through the chambers of modern experimental folk music.

PODCAST: Soothers

Photo by Kira Bang-Olsson.

Medley Megamix is back! But hey, no need to shout, because this very special guest podcast is all about the soothers. There’s genuine concern from Mr Medley Megamix that some of us may not be sleeping so well at night, for whatever reasons. Hence he returned to the lab to cook up a soothing treat that will have you counting sheep (or your preferred farmyard animal) in no time at all. Oh, and this works by the way – I put it on the other day and accidentally left it on loop, anyway I didn’t wake up for three days – so use with caution.

Guest Podcast Tracklisting:

01. Anja Garbarek – Born That Way
02. Little Dragon – Scribbled Paper
03. AIM – A Tree, A Rock And A Cloud
04. Kings Of Convenience – Gold In The Air Of Summer
05. The Bird And The Bee – Tonight You Belong To Me
06. The Long Lost – The Art of Kissing
07. Bonobo – Nocturnary
08. Royksopp – Sparks
09. The Cinematic Orchestra – Into You
10. Max Richter – Lullaby From The West Coast Sleepers
11. The Long Lost – Cat Fancy
12. Ben Harper – When She Believes
13. Celloman – Paris
14. Emiliana Torrini – Heartstopper
15. Jose James – The Dreamer
16. Carlos Nino & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – Find A Way
17. Esbjorn Svensson Trio – Evening In The Atlantis
18. Ludovico Einaudi – Monday
19. Max Richter – Fragment

mp3: Little Dragon – Scribbled Paper

PODCAST: Jus Like Music Volume 31

Photo by Nadia Lavard.

Some tasty treats for you contained in Volume 31! Gone for a nasty blend of beat music, dubstep, funk, soul and hip-hop. Got a track from the new Prefuse 73 album on there, as well as some choice cuts from Starkey, 1000names and Onra. It’s just shy of an hour long and the whole thing is choc-full of bangers, even if I do say so myself. Also, look out for the beautfiul Jay Dee tribute at the end, you can buy the full EP from the Stones Throw site and all proceeds go to Jay Dee’s Mother, Ma Dukes.

Podcast RSS feed URL

Volume 31 tracklisting:

01. Hudson Mohawke – Ooops
02. Prefuse 73 – No Lights Still Rock (Featuring Dimlite)
03. Starkey – Dark Alley
04. Samiyam – Savagely Attacked By Space Aliens
05. Three 6 Mafia – Stay Fly (Dorian Concept remix)
06. Mr. Scruff – Nice Up The Function feat. Roots Manuva (Remix)
07. Unity – Escape (Diesler Remix)
08. Tuomo – Don’t Take It Too Hard
09. 6ix Toys – Cannibal Lunch
10. 1000names – Beauty Surrounds You
11. Wizdom – I’m So In Love With You
12. The Keystones – Double Dutch feat. Malcolm Catto
13. The Olympians – How Can I Love (Now That You’re Gone)
14. The Whitefield Brothers – American Nightmare feat. Guilty Simpson
15. Onra – Relax In Mui Ne
16. Exile – San Pedro Cactus
17. Onra & Quetzal – Let Me Know
18. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band – Inner City Blues
19. Carlos Nino & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – Fall In Love

No more talking, just get it listened to, and if you have the know-how, subscribe to the feed too – you know it makes sense.

mp3: Prefuse 73 – No Lights Still Rock (Featuring Dimlite)