PAST ISSUES - 2010



4th May - Golden Silvers

Another band with Golden in the name, (read in a few weeks there will be a Wolf theme!). The guys have been around for a while, but after playing various club nights and building up a good fan base last year we haven’t heard anything from them for a long time. However word from their website recently stated that Gwilym has been writing a lot of new material and is slowly building a band around those songs. I really look forward to hearing their new stuff, and seeing them in a live environment. I have placed a beautiful version of their ‘hit’ magic touch. Behind their studio in an alley, an acoustic guitar and lovely harmonies are recorded on to a nicely tinted film. Attached to stream is a recent Penguin Prison remix of their ‘True Romance’ song.

4th May - MALACHAI

1:34 of pure bliss, an ode to the summer, bastard spawn of surf rock, indie and hip hop… Surf Is Up it declares with joyful abandon, lets respond to the cry, lets go surfing, why not! Maybe Malachai will be there, in his many guises, perhaps as Hundred Strong, the super respected hip hop beats and soul producer from Bristol that he is. Hundred Strong, AKA Malachai is Ben Dubuisson, a beatsmith producer who released a handful of albums and EPs on Bristol indie Hombre and then on London label Altered Vibes. He has moved on from there, in sound and stable, as can be heard on Malachai, his latest incarnation and one, it seems, which is likely to be around for a while. Snapped up by Domino sub Label Double Six and receiving big love from the press, his album is due out this month and you'll no doubt be hearing plenty of it on radio. Leaning on his hip hop roots but venturing down a darker route with Malachai, Ben is exploring new territory, and this is a refreshing sound from a very talented producer.

26th April - Golden Filter

An amazing band on a brilliant label; Brille is home to the incredible Knife, Good Shoes and Operator Please. The Golden Filter have been one of my favourite bands around for a long time now, ever since hearing the incredible ‘Thunderbird’, which towards the end of last year was released via free download from their website. The Golden Filter has now released their first single proper, off their debut Album 'Voluspa' released on 26th April. The song is called 'Hide Me', however I have put up to stream the bold cover of White Stripes’ ‘Hardest Button To Button’. The band covered this song for their single 'Thunderbird'. It's not available digitally anywhere, only on vinyl on dummy records. My first introduction of the band has also been included in a very stylistic video. Watch out for these New Yorkers, they are gonna get you hooked!

26th April - The BRUTE CHORUS (new release)

Today is the is release day for the new single by London rockers The Brute Chorus, called Could This Be Love? Dan Garber covered the band before, they are famous for recording their last album in one take at London's Round House infront of 300 fans. The new track is set to a more rockablilly bustle, with rolling bass lines and solid guitar. Its a super catchy production which was recorded in an old village hall in the lake district in freezing conditions (apparently the boiler for the hall broke). Anyway this is the first single from their forthcoming album, How The Caged Bird Sings which will drop at the end of the Summer and its pretty epic stuff....

18th April - CARIBOU

This is Dan Snaith, AKA Caribou's latest offering, an album just released and titled Sun. For the uninitiated, Caribou, formerly called Manitoba has been a stalwart of the indie electro scene for over a decade. Originally releasing music on Leeds experimental label Leaf. He is now represented by CitySlang and once again busts through multiple genres in his productions of his new album, merging and fusing to make something often unexpected and sometimes challenging. Jamelia, the last track on the album, features Luke Lalonde from the Born Ruffians, and mixes deep house, jazz, experimental and indie and has a beautiful minimal feel...

18th April - THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE

Not by any means a new band, but one with a huge heritage, long recording history and with a cult renown and a level of success that has seen them referred to as the godfathers of alt. rock… Be that as it may, I'm posting about them today because of their new album, 'Who Killed Sgt. Pepper', recorded in Iceland and released February this year. BJM are an interesting bunch, the band itself morphes in members, size and output, with references to shoe-gaze, country, electro, brazilian and indie, so its anyones guess what to find on new records. Who Killed Sgt Pepper, the most recent addition to their extensive discography challenges expectation, again.. sometimes dark and experimental but fully worth a listen…. especially this track, the opener, tribal with a trance inducing rhythmic flow, check out the catchily titled Tempo 116.7 (Reaching for dangerous levels of sobriety)… here.

9th April - Philadelphia Grand Jury

The first release in the UK for the Australian trio’s is coming up very soon along with a flurry of UK shows continuing into the summer. Two friends: Berkfinger and MC Bad Genius produce fun punk rock in a similar vain to OK Go or early tracks from fellow Australians the Vines; and honestly that is a good thing when you take the quirky fun fast passed rock with huge intesity and razor sharp guitar lines. Quick and to the point PGJ's songs have a very cool edge to them. You can hear this in the track that is on the video for "The Good News" that I have included here. The video is obviously influenced from the old childrens book "Where's Wolly?", and shows off their humorous side. Something slightly different is the song which we have to stream "Ready To Roll". Coming in like a battering ram the song is reminisent of annoying but catchy "Gay Bar" by "Electric Six". Philadelphia Grand Jury have a Do-It-Yourself nature recording their album on a tiny budget. The album is a testament to the simple idea that great songs and a cracking live show are all that it takes to make the world stand up and pay attention. Their live show apparently is not one to be missed so here are some places that you can catch them soon, and Im pretty sure they will not be playing places this small for long!! TUES 4TH MAY – White Heat @ Madam Jo Jo’s, London FRI 7TH MAY – Club NME @ Koko, London TUES 11TH MAY – Huw Stephens Introducing @ The Social, London SAT 22ND MAY – Beggar’s Banquet Showcase, Notting Hill Arts Club, London THURS 27TH MAY – Monkey Chews, London

9th April - STRANGE BOYS

This music is effortlessly cool. It oozes it from the lead singer Ryan Sambol's dry singing voice. Sexed up garage rock that sounds like it was recorded in the 50s but influenced by punk in the 70's and then given a hit from 90's grunge and spat out with some Strokes genius. The band actually toured with Julian Casablancas for part of his US solo tour. Originally from Dallas the guys relocated to Austin in late 2006 and were picked up to play SXSW last year, after much acclaim the band recieved a lot of interest, changed their line up around, and signed to "Rough Trade" in the UK with "In The Red" releasing stuff in the States. They are over in the UK promoting their second album Be Brave which was release in February this year. I love the brilliant backing vocals and layered guitar licks with the occasional saxophone part. Orginally a duo, one of the founding members left the band before things really took off. Every time you listen the more and more intricate you realise the songs are. You can really tell that from video I have attached which is arguably their best song, and title of their latest album and single "Be Brave". The song you can stream is from a live session last year.

25th March - Sleigh Bells

NO this isn't another White Stripes wannabe band. The boy - girl duo from Brooklyn are causing a real storm on blogs at the moment, and they are over in London to play the dangerously cool night YO YO at Notting Hill Arts Club. Infectious scuzzy live guitars and vocals are complimented by old soulful sounding backing tracks, finger clicks and all. With snippets of noise influenced from genres such as dubstep and dancehall hidden away in the background. The song I have included to stream is called "Ring Ring", and I am sorry it ends abruptly but I think that is just how they recorded it, (very grungy!). It is a great slow song which evokes day dreams of lying in a park in the height of summer. The video is from a live performance, and judging from these 3 minutes, they give it their all! They have been asked to play many shows for important industry types so it is only a matter of time before we start hearing a lot more of them. I have seen videos of them with crowd reactions and everyone is dancing, so would recommend scouting around to see what other songs are out there and if you do get the chance to see them live in a small venue like Notting Hill Arts Club then sell your children or friends to get a ticket.

25th March - THE NATIONAL

Good. The National are back their new album HIgh Violet is due out on the 11.05 on 4ad. Great. I've heard a track, this one here, and it features the punchy drums, bassy bluesy boozy vocals that we heard so much of on The Boxer, their previous album and is as uplifting as ever. Not surprising. The fans are going pretty mad for it, with the band featuring top of the list on Hype Machine and a huge world tour about to kick off. Also featuring an unofficial video from the last album.... Check out Bloodbuzz Ohio here.

22th March - TIM AND SAM

All four members of Tim and Sam are accomplished multi-instrumentalists, effortlessly switching between instruments such as Glockenspiel, Harmonium and Clarinet + extensive use of loop pedals during their live performances. The guys have been around for a while, most of their creative life has been spent writing and recording their debut. It has been 2 years since the starting point, and they have grown and crafted a sound which leaves them in a league of their own. The album "Life Stream" is out at the start of May and new single ‘Finders Keepers’ is out soon. I have chosen to add a great video of the guys doing an acoustic live performance a very nice mix of layers, its from the start of this album journey. To provide a before and after effect give a listen to the great track "Sparks", here to stream; its quite possibly going to be the 1st track on the record. It is also a fantastic introduction to the band, a nice mix between The Earlies and Sigur Ros. As well as the video and the streaming, the band have kindly given us a track to give away. Please send an email to info@record-play.net with the subject "Exposure" and we will send you their track "Choices" mp3.

22th March - RICHARD MCGRAW

BORN: -Newburgh New York -into the middle & working class -into the declining catholic community FORMAL MERITS: -The sacrament of confirmation -The High school regents diploma -The college degrees: Philosphy, Graphic Design PUBLIC AWARDS: -Mary M Torrens senior poet award -Finalist 2003 John Lennon Songwriting Contest -Finalist, multiple times, Williamsburg Live Songwriting Contest EXISTENTIAL TERROR: -felt at an early age: thoughts of mortality without religious conviction LYRICAL MERITS: -Hasn't used the words "California" or "L.A." in a song. Plus, for your amusement, here is the artist performing a song written exclusively for Deal or No Deal in an attempt to get on the show...

12th March - OK GO cure cover

Ok well, they have done it again. EVERYWHERE, 1 million views in a matter of days, this band have capitalised so much on their music videos. So much so they even bring treadmills with them on stage so they can finish with their famous dance routine, (it even won a Grammy). If you don't know it already it features the incredibly catchy here it goes again. They seem to have surpassed themselves again with a one shot classic. Just like the very original Honda advert and the genius ad a few years later, the band use a domino effect sequence. Something hit something else which makes something else move which in turn blows up balloons etc etc, until at the end the get splattered with paint. All well and good having a great video, but it would not be anywhere without good uplifting music, and they do that very well. Originally from Chicago, now in the fabulous LA. The guys have a great sense of humour and outlook of life that is clearly shown in their music and videos. Check out their great cover of the Cure's Love Cats. Now on their third album, it is always exciting to see and hear the whole entertainment package that this band provide!

12th March - ARCHIE BRONSON OUTFIT

We love Archie Bronson Outfit, we don't always know what he is singing about, but damn it he rocks! The london based three piece just released Coconut, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed and aptly titled album Derang Derang. Anyone who has caught ABO's live show will vouch that they are incredibly energetic and rawkus affairs. I went with someone who had never really been into rock, by half way through she was covered in beer and moshing about the floor. They have that kind of effect. Anyway, Coconuts launch was an evening of multimedia, all of the tracks came with video and a real spectrum of styles and direction. This track here, Chunk is definitely on the lighter side of the album, the video is also nuts (sorry, couldn't help myself). Check it out. Buy the album. CHUNK....

5th March - The Disappearers

As session musicians, these guys have been lucky enough to share stages and play with some great people, including Florence and the Machine, Soko, Elbow, Mumford and Sons, Oli and Clive, the Sans Pareil, Kid Harpoon, Noah and the Whale, Unkle, Helsinki etc... But now, here they are, with their own brand new website, artwork, shows and material for everyone to hear. There is not much written about the quartet, currently residing in London. The songs were collaborations between all the musicians in the band but based around songs previously written by the main signer Florian, who used to front F. Lunaire. The band have only played 2 low key shows, one at the Stags Head supporting the Good Shoes, and another at the Old Blue Last for the re-opening of the Vice pub. Musically this band is very advanced, even though they are just at the start of what will hopefully be a fruitful career. Made up of 3 guys, and 1 girl (Gillian) who shares the lead vocals and keys with Florian. There is only one song recorded at the moment and we are lucky enough to have been given it by the band to play to you. I have also attached an old video of F Lunaire performing at the World famous Sarm Studios. I wont try and describe the music, to be honest I don’t think it will do it justice, but do keep an ear out for this band as there is definitely something special there!

5th March - Portugal The Man

Electronic, rock with hip hop drum machine beats and an amusing album name 'The Satanic Satanists', this can only be mad prolific Alaskan based four piece Portugal. The Band The band consists of John Baldwin Gourley, Jason Sechrist, Ryan Neighbours and Zachary Carothers. Gourley and Carothers grew up in Alaska, the former living in a woods in a log cabin for a year, fully off grid.. With two albums released last year, and one already in the pipeline this year, its amazing that any label can keep up with such a prolific crew, indeed, that may well be the reason they have their own imprint now, Approaching AIRballoons. Anyway, they are making some excellent sounds, the mixture in genres deftly performed, drawing you in and full of originality, this song is about an insalubrious sort of establishment, where low life's have been known to hang around, The Dead Dog…

22th February - Douster

Thanks to a new extensive look at blogs such as “pejhy” and “You can call me Pelski”, I am coming across new music that I may not have given a second listen to unless I was in a club. I have always been into a bit of italo disco, house and and quite a lot of electro, however now there is obviously dubstep – which is incredibly hard to create well. The best songs from this genre are exploring new sounds and new ways to piece together tunes. It’s a genre however that seems like its shooting itself in the foot. There is also a lot of tropical beats happening at the moment. Mixing it all up at present is a style from Latin America and predominantly Argentina. It is called Cumbia. The Colombian musical style and folk dance is considered to be representative of Colombia. However acts such as Major Lazor (Diplo and Switch) have mixed it up with Afro beat, dancehall and electro. This style has made them HUGE in the States, and they have even been up for an MTV award in the breakthrough Category. The duo has made this music accessible, and Thom Yorke is going to remix them for their forthcoming EP in April. However this is not about Major Lazor, as many people have heard of them, rather this exposure is about one of the leading Argentinean DJs who is spreading the music over to Europe. In 2009 Douster came to fame through re-working the Lion King soundtrack – for which one of the songs you can stream here, (any Arsenal fans like myself, listen to the chant of “Arsne Wenger” I swear that’s what it says!). The track I have included has been cleaned up by Amsterdam’s “Homework”. To hear something a bit more like what to expect from Douster and Digital Cumbia in the future check out the video attached. The song is very minimal, dancehall as well as tropical. Plus it’s a pretty cool video in its own right.

21th February - Akron/Family

Have a listen, does it sound like a 3 piece to you? Me neither… somehow though not only do they manage to successfully fuse experimental, folk, electronic and world sounds, but they also do it whilst swapping instruments and constantly improvising.... Pretty amazing! And thats what their most recent album is too. Akron Family built their sound, and following in NY's creative hub of Williamsburg, mostly around their local cafe, Gimme Coffee, where they performed and laid on gigs. This was back in 2003. Now, they are onto their 5th release, with tours aplenty and support in the UK from the likes of Rough Trade. Its good to see all the hard work paying off! Here is Everyone is Guilty, the first track from their new album Set Em Wild, Set Em Free...

15th February - SARAH JAFFE

She comes from Denton Texas, no cant say I've heard of it either, but it is (and was) home to the likes of Roy Orbison, Norah Jones and Midlake… a rich musical heritage that Jaffe's promise could eventually be added to. Sarah is a musician who cites an intriguing range of influences (Cat Stephens, James Taylor, The Magnetic Fields and Broken Social Scene), and she isn't of the mark either in whats clearly a universally appealing sound. Her latest songs hint at major talent, a sultry texan voice with depth, you can hear her pulling the reigns in too. If I was to pigeonhole her, I would say folk and country mixed with something resembling indie. Its uplifting and buoyant and its leaves me wanting to hear more. Just 24, one EP release in 2008, a recording contract with Texas indie Kirtland and a tour with Midlake (subpop)…. its looking like a big bright future.

22th February - Underground Railroad

Ok time to get back to my roots. This was the first type of music I was into, and also the first band I ever booked. They are back, I have heard one or two of the new songs - which they are recording right now, and they sound great! Underground Railroad, originally from France, but moved to London to have as their base. You may not have heard of them but they have already released two albums on Bjork's label One Little Indian which were hailed as great feats by everyone from Stool Pigeon to NME and Zane Lowe. The band are very much championed by artrocker and have an incredibly catchy grunge sound that some how does not feel dated. The trio have also been on tour with the legendary Dinosaur Jnr, and recorded at Death Cab for Cutie's studio in Seattle. The live show is where is really happens, Raphael Mura plays drums, keys and sings - and often all at the same time! J.B. Ganivet looks like he was born to be on stage playing bass in a rock band, the ultimate French cool oozes out of him. Marion Andrau plays some great licks on the guitar whilst singing and screaming, reminiscent of the very best of Sonic Youth. The band have also added Anna Scott on cello, which provides a nice haunting edition to the stage show. I have included a track that did not feature on the first album and wont be on the second either, it was an exclusive for the NME last year. The video I have put on is very basic diy grunge - recorded in their rehearsal room. The song is sticks and stones, and along with cookies and milk are my favourite songs from them so far, but I can tell there are a lot more to come! They have just come out of hibernating, writing new material for the past 6 months, which they be playing out on the 5th Feb at the Old Blue last.

8th February - THE RED ORCHESTRA

I was scouring the Cookin Vinyl publishing website the other day looking for some new music for a film brief and I came across an amazing band that I'd never heard of before, their name? The Red Orchestra... Crunchy beats and synths, filtered vocals, Its something of a mix between Archive and Spiritualized, specially with the indie guitar riffs and original electronica-ambient melodics, there is even a hint of Vangelis in there somewhere! Not much is known about The Red Orchestra except that they are a Brighton based 6 piece fronted by Karl Sadowski and Tim Rowkins who formed as a kind of freeform writing duo. Gradually in their production a style began to present itself, which then took on the shape of an album that they released in November 2009. Despite the relative obscurity this is a solid sound and definitely one which i would love to see live, buy yourself a copy of the album 'The Seasonal Distribution of Love in the City' (a bit of a monthful, yes). ps they dont have any videos, so here is a classic bit of Blu....

29th January - LA SHARK

I once described these guys as very modern cockney art/indie with a spoon full of Mary Poppins melody for good measure. But that was back when they were called Le Shark not La Shark. Now times have changed and we have a band that has blossomed and grown into a force to be reckoned with. They are making some of the most original POP. Yes, listen to the catchy melodies, the repeated lyrics in the chorus and a mix of dance beats which make you bounce; and are perfectly timed to quick waking speed. Their epic changes in their songs reminds me of Queen's Bohemian rhapsody, how it had about 3 powerful songs in one. Maybe the eccentricity of the front man Samuel may have something to do with the comparison as well. Baggy trousers reminiscent of MC Hammer and clown make up to compliment their circus Wurlitzer and horror train sounds. But its all the characters that make the band and their incredible musical skills. I saw them for the first time in a year last week, and they got the crowd more hyped than any other band I have seen for a while. They had other artists in their own right, singing along and punching the air to the songs. Everyone else was dancing like Elvis must have done when he learnt to move his legs. La Shark have got a monthly club night down in Deptford, in a bunker and it gets very hot and sweaty, like an arty punk gig would be if it was in Rock and Roll Circus. This song that you can stream is available from their website for free if you provide your email address, simples! The video is from the great Indie Ghetto which gets indie bands, comedians and actors to record cover songs in front of a green screen, so check out their youtube channel as its very funny. La Sharks best song at the moment (cause they keep trumping their best songs) is Bones - that's one I suggest you look for. However they are still yet to do any proper recordings of any of their songs, so we have a lot to look forward to!! Enjoy.. ps photo by: alexmhough@googlemail.com

29th January - OUT OF THE AFTERNOON

Big choruses, jazz influenced rock with a indie lilt the four-piece that are Out Of The Afternoon are clearly not shy of experimentation and are generating something of a buzz, and not just in their South East London home… Forming in 2007 it was clear at the outset that the fourpiece brought a huge range of influences, ranging from The Beach Boys, to Madness via Parliament and XTC. Anyway, within 6 months they had recorded and self-released their first 4 track EP, (produced by Pritpal Soor, who worked on The Loose Salute). It will be interesting to see where the band go next, thanks to my friend Jo I've heard an album of recordings which has been getting some very positive feedback from BBC radio and drawing some professional attention, its quality stuff, demonstrating versatility throughout. Maybe soon you'll even get a chance to hear it yourself, in the meantime, here is The Piccadilly of the South...

22th January - HUSH THE MANY (HEED THE FEW)

Hush the Many are a great band that unfortunately are no more. This is a strange exposure, but I was listening to my Ipod yesterday on shuffle and for the first time in ages up popped this beautiful hushed singing over extremely well crafted cello. I had to turn the song up as I was on a busy hectic train, and suddenly everything became calm like a perfect soundtrack to a film, where the protagonist reaches their equilibrium. I first saw this band at Spice of Life in Covent Garden, and was blown away by their friendliness and ability to quieten a drunk pub crowd at the right moment. I then followed their career over the next few years, to two UK tours, an EP a couple of singles and a recording of an album. That is where the story ends in July 2008, the album recording was at the world famous Hook End Studios (formally the Pink Floyd's recording Studio) but then the studio was taken over by Trevor Horn and updated for the likes of Radiohead, Coldplay and Morrissey et al to record many a hit. This recording session was straining on a band with huge potential, and the band with four key members (two boys and two girls), Jo on cello, Alex on bass and vocals, Ruban on lead guitar and Nima main vocals and acoustic guitar. The guys were joined by Joantoni, one of many drummers over the years. They played many shows with many variants and additions but they always pleased a dedicated fan base, and very easily won over new listeners. They played every major festival including Bestival, Glastonbury and End of The Road; as well as most gig venues in London including the Barfly, 93 Feet East and 100 club. However a gig at the legendary Secret Garden Party has to be my favourite. The band packed out the second stage tent with people very eager to see them. Jo was stuck in traffic and the band had to start without her. They played a couple of slow ones and everyone was extremely chilled and enjoying the atmosphere. However Nima was looking around for the cellist and telling the crowd the situation. Suddenly a massive hard cello carry case came through the calm, and people who had never seen this band before were overcome with emotion and started cheering at the fact that the full band would play. From a relaxed vibe an energy rushed around everyone and Hush The Many played one of their more energetic songs and everyone literally started dancing around with joy. They could compliment any mood and I believe their songs are timeless, and they will sound like classics in years to come. I would definitely recommend looking around the web to see what songs of theirs you can find. I have attached their only music video, a beautifully drawn by Angela Hooker and animated by about 5 different animators. Its definitely a work of art, as is this incredible track that you can stream. Its an early live recording of the band warts and all. I suggest putting on a set of headphones, sitting back and escaping for 4 minutes 34 seconds!

18th January - I AM UN CHIEN

I thought I would showcase one of the fiercest examples of showmanship that I saw last year; as one of my major loves (as may be evident from previous exposures) is music in a live setting. I have put on a lot of shows during 2009, and many a French Band have graced the stage for the monthly French Revolution, however it seems as though I saved one of the best till last. I have been tracking I am Un Chien for a couple of years now, but wasn't able to bring them over until a couple of weeks ago, when they played with You, and Stuck in The Sound, for which all include at least one member of the other band. They have to be one of my favourite French bands at the moment. I Am Un Chien in addition to their exploratory talents through musical genres, have an awesome name taken from the Pixies song Debaser which was about Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel's film Un Chien Andalou. The band have very fearsome guitar licks, reminiscent of some great Daft Punk guitar tapping arpeggios in Aerodynamic but unlike the rest of the Sister Sledge sampled track. The recording and writing duo become three on stage and have a hip hop electro cross over feel added to the high tempo dark dance sound. The live element brings out the teenage angst and aggression of their songs, none of which go over three minutes, most are much closer to the 2 minute 20 mark, no I tell a lie, they're 2 minutes 18 seconds. I have attached the video of their signature Waves tune. The song that you can stream is Hologram, a much dirtier darker side to this energetic band.

11th January - ELI 'PAPERBOY' REED AND THE TRUE LOVES

I was going to write about the Kindness (a man called Adam Bainbridge, who lives in Berlin) he has a great funky disco track and low fi video called Gee Up, definitely check it out. However NME got their first, and they apparently have never been so excited. WHATEVER! Anyway so I thought I would go against the grain and go for mainstream and to Major record label Virgin which is EMI which is Capitol Music Group (god the industry is confusing). Recorded at Q Division (so he is also signed to them) Mr Eli Reed (or Paper Boy to friends and press) reminds me of the type of feeling I got when listening to Robert Randolf and the Family Band 5 years ago, merging an old sound with a new cleaner modern production style. This guy is one of the best singers I have heard for a long time. He has a very Motown sound and was brought up in Massachusetts by a music critic with a huge record collection. Self taught guitarist piano and harmonica, Paper Boy plays uplifting rock and roll, backing singers, brass section, rhythm section, all the trimmings! He and his incredible band the True Loves are coming over to London to play the 100 club. This is a just a small showcase, as I'm sure next time he comes over, he will have been written about by the Guardian, the Times and Music magazines attracting a wide range of people. From the people who saw this style of music the first time round, (the sound is very authentic) to people who loved the Blues Brothers films, and a new young generation who will see him play shows like Jools Holland, everyone can get in to Eli. I have attached a performance from that very show here as a video link, it gets me in the mood for dancing, as well as the song that is available to stream The Satisfier, hope you enjoy!

5th January - EGYPTIAN HIP HOP

The Manchester group Egyptian Hip Hop probably have the best name ever for a band, they don't unfortunately do Egyptian Hip Hip although their sound is probably as unpredictable... These guys instead have a very soothing electro pop tinge to them, relaxed and sexy like Sebastian Tellier but with more of a d.i.y punk ethic. I have attached one of the best songs of last year for you to stream, Rad Pitt, a charming guitar riff starts off an early 90s baggy acid tune.