Respectable Swindon?

This is a treat: Andy Partridge of XTC taking viewers on a tour of his home town Swindon, circa 1981.

This was the year that R.P.M., a magazine programme for the BBC West region, launched. It was sandwiched in the weekday early evening BBC1 schedule between Points West and the prime time schedule. 

I remember R.P.M. for three things:

1) Presenter Andy Batten-Foster, which would have put Kevin Keegan's poodle perm to shame;

2) Krek Bristle, a parady sketch starring Tony Robinson, based on Derek Robinson's book; and

3) The music features, which were frequently awkward and/or terribly stilted, but at least exposed me to new music.

Andy is great fun and whilst Swindon is a much-changed place - The Brunel shopping centre lasted more than 5 minutes, the Oasis is standing empty and festering - it's a fascinating snap shot.

And here's Respectable Street, which is referenced but not featured in the R.P.M. clip.

Ambient Andrew Again

Another sixty (one) minute selection of Andrew Weatherall's ambient excursions which, unsurprisingly, take the listener down the less trodden path.

If you caught last Sunday's post, you'll know that this was created from the same shortlist as Volume 1, but to be clear this is no 'leftovers' compilation. 

A slight shift by twelve months, too. Whereas Volume 1 spanned 1991 to 2016, Volume 2 covers 1992 to 2017. A complete accident, but I like it.

As before, there's room for Andrew's solo work, The Sabres Of Paradise and Two Lone Swordsmen, plus a second collaboration with Keith Tenniswood from the 2003 release Still My World.

Woodleigh Research Facility and Nina Walsh from Volume 1 are swapped for The Asphodells and Timothy J. Fairplay in Volume 2. There are also remixes by Being, Group Rhoda and In The Nursery as well as reworks of Scorn, James, Death In Vegas and Red Snapper.

It's such a privilege and a pleasure approaching each and every Andrew Weatherall selection. His generosity of spirit embues his music, making for some unusual but natural sequencing. Any bumps or clunks in the transition are entirely down to me, hopefully offset by the magic of the music itself. 

1) Azzolini And The Branch Brothers Meet Being (Remix By Being aka Dave Paton): Two Lone Swordsmen (1996)

2) Exodus (Sabres Of Paradise Mix 1 By Andrew Weatherall, Jagz Kooner & Gary Burns): Scorn (1992)

3) The Crescents: Andrew Weatherall & Keith Tenniswood (2003)

4) Another Heady Cocktail: Two Lone Swordsmen (1997)

5) Jam J (Phase 2: Amphetamine Pulsate) (Remix By Andrew Weatherall, Jagz Kooner & Gary Burns): James vs. The Sabres Of Paradise (1994)

6) Another Lonely City (Group Rhoda Remix By Mara Barenbaum): The Asphodells (2013)

7) Glenn Street Assault Squad (In The Nursery Visit Glenn Street) (Remix By Klive Humberstone & Nigel Humberstone): Two Lone Swordsmen (1996)

8) Soft Estates: Andrew Weatherall (2017)

9) Rekkit (Vega Sintro) (Remix by Two Lone Swordsmen aka Andrew Weatherall & Keith Tenniswood): Death In Vegas (1997)

10) Bogeyman (Two Lone Swordsmen Blue Jam Cologne Mix By Andrew Weatherall & Keith Tenniswood): Red Snapper (1998)

1992: Deliverance EP: 2

1994: Jam J EP: 5

1996: Swimming Not Skimming: 1, 7

1997: Rekkit: Death By A Thousand Cuts EP: 9

1997: Stockwell Steppas: 4

1998: Bogeyman EP: 10

2003: Still My World: 3

2013: The Asphodells Remixed: 6

2017: Qualia: 8

Ambient Andrew Vol. 2 (1:01:38) (GD) (M)

Do You Want It?

A saucy Saturday selection sourced from Swiss-based duo In Flagranti, with a smattering of smut over sixty minutes.

Try saying that three times with a mouthful of muesli.

I first heard the Sasha Crnobrnja and Alex Gloor's early excursions as In Flagranti around 2002, on a giveaway CD with the excellent Jockey Slut magazine. Further explorations of the internet revealed a plethora of remixes and, over time, I have quietly amassed a modest selection of their music and mixes.

Today's selection focuses on the decade from 2008 to 2018, mostly their reworkings of other artists, but with a couple of their own from 2013's Headrush EP, simply because I liked the song titles (!) 

A broad range of (sub)genres here. although all designed to make you move. I like the fact that there's a distinct In Flagranti feel without pinning themselves down to a particular motif or recurring theme. 

Anyway, over to this pair of wrong 'uns to strut their stuff. Enjoy!

1) Confusion (In Flagranti Remix): Motel77 ft. MIIIA (2018)

2) Curious Red (In Flagranti Remix): I Led 3 Lives (2009)

3) Bell Common Tunnel (In Flagranti Remix): Tronik Youth (2017)

4) Kontrol Termination (In Flagranti Remix): Volta Cab (2017)

5) Disco For The Devil (In Flagranti Mix): Bottin (2009)

6) Dope As Shit (Single Version By In Flagranti & Erol Alkan): In Flagranti (2013)

7) I Love London (In Flagranti Vintage Mix): Crystal Fighters (2009)

8) Testify (In Flagranti Re-Play): Hifi Sean ft. Crystal Waters (2017)

9) Who's There? (In Flagranti Remix): Riton & Primary 1 (2009)

10) Toiletries For Bottoms (Single Version By In Flagranti & Erol Alkan): In Flagranti (2013)

11) LookLookLook (In Flagranti Remix): Golden Bug (2008)

Do You Want It? (1:00:54) (GD) (M)

From Paradise Rains To Paradise Circus

Some Massive Attack...kind of.

After yesterday's Paradise Rains by Eartheater, I'm dusting off Paradise Circus, specifically the link to the version used in The Fallen Sun, the Netflix film version of Luther from 2023. The link - not the film - has been languishing in my "must write a post about this one" file for a few weeks and now seemed to be the right time.

A brief diverson/rant before I carry on: Mrs. K and I really enjoyed Luther when it debuted on BBC1 in 2010. Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson were compelling leads, the supporting cast were excellent and Neil Cross' writing was top notch. 

Although the successive series stretched credulity to near breaking point, Luther continued to be 'must watch' viewing right up to the conclusion of series 5 in 2019.

That seemed about the right time to call it a day, but the subsequent announcement that there would be a feature film version of Luther nevertheless was something to look forward to. Except that it was being made by Netflix.

The proliferation of pay-to-view channels has been inversely proportionate to our disposable income and, frankly, whether we can be arsed to spend even more time in front of the gogglebox (as opposed to Gogglebox). So, apart from the occasional 30-day free trial that pops up, Netflix is pretty much out of our reach, and we didn't make it to any of the 'select cinemas' that screened The Fallen Sun in February 2023.

So, I also had no idea that Paradise Circus by Massive Attack had featured in the soundtrack.

Except... this is a different version, credited to Post ft. Ghostpoet. 

Post, as it transpires, is Daddy G aka Grant Marshall, founder member of Massive Attack, and Stew Jackson, who has also worked with Daddy G as Robot Club and been part of the Massive Attack collective since at least 2016.

It's a great version, and Ghostpoet is a spot on pick to provide vocals that provide the necessary grit and gravitas.

However... it's a very hard act to follow, when Massive Attack's version of Paradise Circus was co-written with and featured the incomparable voice of Hope Sandoval (sigh).

So, to reward those of you who stuck with this post to the end, here's the original version from 2010, plus a twelve-and-a-half minute reworking by Massive Attack vs. Burial the following year. 

 

The Prodigal Daughter, Fertile And Watered

Eartheater was offered up by Bandcamp as 'you might like' suggestion and you know what? HIt or miss (usually miss), on this occasion they were right.

Eartheater aka Alexandra Drewchin is another artist that has been active since the late 2000s and completely under the radar for me. 

On the strength of the two singles/videos from her new album, Heavenly Body: If I'm The Bottle You’re The Message, out on 10th July, then this is one for the shopping cart.

Although there are some truly awful examples, I am a sucker for cinematic goth with sweeping strings and soaring vocals and Eartheater has the presence to match. The album was made shortly after the birth of Alexandra's daughter and this has clearly inspired and resonated throughout the songs. 

There's a production credit for Dave Sitek and a guest spot for Oklou, another belated discovery for me late last year, 

 

I'm going to start with the album and if Heavenly Body: If I'm The Bottle You’re The Message, then a delve into Eartheater's extensive back catalogue will swiftly follow. 

The album closes with 2025 single Nova, named after Alexandra's daughter and co-produced by Nosaj Thing and Michael Andrews. 

Michael has been a long-time favourite for his film soundtracks for Me And You And Everyone We Know and Donnie Darko, the latter giving him and Gary Jules a UK #1 with their cover of Mad World by Tears For Fears. It's a vibe that inhabits Nova, to great effect.

 

Life's A Flow

I've had a MP3 of Amoriphous Androgynous' half-hour set at The Creation Of Peace Festival in Russia on 30th August 2008 for several years and was convinced that I'd previously posted the video here, but apparently not.

The Creation Of Peace Festival (this was the first) took place in Kazan, capital city of the republic Of Tatarstan, located in Eastern Europe. The packed line-up included the Adrian Belew Trio, White Flag, Manu Chao, Eddie Jobson, Tony Levin and Patti Smith. Audience numbers reportedly hit 250,000

Sets were reported kept to 20-30 minutes, culminating in a 15-minute jam of All You Need Is Love and Whole Lotta Love, with pretty much everyone packed on stage.

So, all things considered, Amorphous Androgynous were a perfect addition to the line-up.

Half an hour, half a dozen songs, guest vocals from Alisha Sufit and the finale a classic from The Future Sound Of London catalogue.

Mind-blowingly brilliant.

1) The Mello Hippo Disco Show (Slo-Mo / Life's A Flow

2) The Lovers

3) Riders (On The Circadian Rhythm) 

4) All Is Harvest

5) Elysian Feels

6) We Have Explosive

Ghost, Fire, Pain, Better, Comfort

I cannot express how happy I am that Kelsey Lu has a new album out on Friday.

I've been a huge fan since discovering samples online during lockdown in 2020, though there's been little in the way of new music since then.

So Help Me God is album #2 according to the promo blurb, album #3 if like me you count 2016's Church. Either way, its been seven years since Kelsey's last 'traditional' album Blood and five songs and videos have been posted on You Tube in the last couple of months.

Cutting Off The Head Of A Ghost, Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, Running To Pain, Better Than That and Comfort have two things in common: Kelsey's incredible voice that soars and swoops and penetrate the emotional core, and orchestral arrangements that lift the songs even higher, even if you contemplate whether they will drop or hold you. This is epic with the caps lock on.

So Help Me God is available on physical and digital formats from the usual places, including Bandcamp.

Kelsey's also heading out on a 2-month tour of the USA and Europe, starting at the end of September. Just two dates in the UK - Manchester (9th Nov) and London (10th Nov) - so it's unlikely I'll get to see them, sadly.

In lieu of the album, here's a Dubhed selection of Kelsey's music that I posted in August 2021 and my debut post about Kelsey from May the same year.

 

 

 

 

Head On Back To Sleep

It's Monday and I wish I could...

...but instead I go to work and I listen to Life's A Dream by Modest Mouse.

(It's not lost on me that, following Pyncher last Tuesday, this is the second video I've posted in a week featuring someone wearing a fox mask. What's up?)

I won't pretend that I was there from the start. I suspect like many, it was the addition of Johnny Marr to the ranks for the album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank* that drew my attention. 

And like many I suspect, much as I enjoyed the album, I didn't pay much attention to what came after Johnny departed.

On the strength of Life's A Dream, I need to catch up and get with it, not least because eighth album An Eraser And A Maze is already out.

 

* We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank came out in 2007. 2007! Jeez, I'm old...

Ambient Andrew

The 'Andrew' of course being Andrew Weatherall, the 'Ambient' a little misleading perhaps, but this is the nearest you'll get, a combination of chilled and chilling to get you through this mad, mad, mad world.

I've dug deep, going into Andrew's work with Jagz Kooner and Gary Burns as The Sabres Of Paradise, Keith Tenniswood as Two Lone Swordsmen, and Nina Walsh as Woodleigh Research Facility. 

There's also his remix and production work with all of the above, plus Hugo Nicolson with Primal Scream, Peter Hook adding a bassline to The Limiñanas' Garden Of Love that calls to mind The Times' 1990 classic Manchester, and Utah Saints' I Want You transformed beyond all recognition. Oh, and vocals too, from Marie Limiñana, Nina Walsh and, to close, The Guv'nor himself.

The thing is, trawling through my collection for compilation candidates, i ended up with enough for two hour-long mixtapes. So, Vol.2 will be here soon, probably next weekend.

For now though, sit back with a brew, and immerse yourself in Weatherall's world for sixty minutes. 

1) Kicking In Part 4: Two Lone Swordsmen (1997)

2) Garden Of Love (Lundi Mouillé Mix By Andrew Weatherall & Nina Walsh): The Limiñanas ft. Peter Hook (2016)

3) Flight Path Estate: The Sabres Of Paradise (1994)

4) Tiny Reminder No. 1 (C-Pij Remix Vocal) (Remix By Nina Walsh): Two Lone Swordsmen (2001)

5) I Want You (Sabres 110) (Remix By The Sabres Of Paradise aka Andrew Weatherall, Jagz Kooner & Gary Burns): Utah Saints (1993)

6) Akwalek: Two Lone Swordsmen (2000)

7) Theme 4: The Sabres Of Paradise (1994)

8) Emancipation Garage: Woodleigh Research Facility (2015)

9) Still My World: Andrew Weatherall & Keith Tenniswood (2003)

10) Chapel Street Market 9am: The Sabres Of Paradise (1994)

11) Inner Flight (Album Version By Andrew Weatherall & Hugo Nicolson): Primal Scream (1991)

12) Ghosts Again (Album Version By Andrew Weatherall & Nina Walsh): Andrew Weatherall (2016)

1991: Screamadelica: 11

1993: I Want You EP: 5

1994: Haunted Dancehall: 3, 7, 10

1997: Stockwell Steppas: 1

2000: Tiny Reminders: 6

2001: Further Reminders: 4

2003: Still My World: 9

2015: The Phoenix Suburb (And Other Stories): 8

2016: Convenanza: 12

2016: Garden Of Love EP: 2

Ambient Andrew Vol. 1 (59:45) (GD) (M)

Time Will Tell

Happy birthday to Robert Hodgens aka Bobby Bluebell aka founder member of The Bluebells, born 6th June 1959.

One of the great things about becoming a paid up member of the Last Night From Glasgow label is that it introduced me to The Bluebells in a big way. I mean, everyone knows Young At Heart, I was familiar with the other singles Everybody's Somebody's Fool and Cath, but that was about it.

I joined just in time to receive The Bluebells' 'comeback' album, In The 21st Century, which I (and Mrs. K) enjoyed immensely. They've followed up this year with This Is...The Bluebells, a fabulous double album (mine's in snowdrop white vinyl) with sixteen songs.

I also bought the LNFG reissue of debut album Sisters on glorious picture disc vinyl. Only forty years late to appreciate what a great album it is.

The core of The Bluebells - Robert with brothers Ken and David McCluskey - continue to make stirring, joyous music and I wanted to celebrate that in today's selection, which focuses exclusively on their songs from the 2020s.

Twelve songs, eleven originals plus one contemporary cover of fellow Glaswegians Sister John, who I featured back in March. In fact, why not create your own C90 cassette-friendly compilation, with Sister John on one side and The Bluebells on the other?

If, like me, you knew about The Bluebells, but didn't really know their songs, I'd strongly recommend heading over to LNFG and treat yourself.

1) Days Of The Revolution (2026)

2) The Boy Who Slipped Away (2023)

3) Trouble Talking (2026)

4) Stonehouse Violets (2023)

5) Glasgow Rainbow (Cover of Sister John) (2022)

6) Dream On (2026)

7) Blue Train (2023)

8) No Pasaran (2026)

9) Daddy Was An Engineer (2023)

10) Indian Summer (2026)

11) Orienteering (2023)

12) The Ballad Of The Bells (2023)

2022: Young At Heart / Glasgow Rainbow EP: 5

2023: In The 21st Century: 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12

2026: This Is...The Bluebells: 1, 3, 6, 8, 10

Time Will Tell (45:53) (GD) (M)