Before You Abuse, Criticise And Accuse

Walk A Mile In My Shoes by Coldcut featuring Robert Owens popped up on my music shuffle and it was a blast to hear it again.

Back in my former blogging life, I wrote about the single on it's release in 2006.

Single number four from Coldcut’s Sound Mirrors albums sees the duo team up with Robert Owens to rework a classic 1970s number by Joe South. The album version and radio edit included here call to mind the string laden sounds of Massive Attack, the Now Voyager remix of You Got The Love by The Source featuring Candi Staton and, closer to home, their early 1990s cover of Yves Montand’s / Nat King Cole’s Autumn Leaves. 

Typically, there’s a diverse selection of mixes available on the CD. Tiga’s mix recalls his darker dancehall moments, with an urgent yet simultaneously unsettling beat. Tom Belton tries for a more uptempo, hands in the air feel (or, more specifically, Tom Middleton’s Cosmos sound), but doesn’t quite pull it off. Timo Garcia + the Cheshire Catz keep up the bpms, though retain the melancholy of Robert Owen’s outstanding vocals. 

However, only Henrik Schwarz really manages to enhance the Coldcut original, creating a sweeping epic that just builds and builds. The edit featured here serves as a teaser for the majesty of the full, nine minute version included on the 12” single, so maybe you need to buy or download that too. 

Four singles in, and there’s no sign that Coldcut are milking it.

I guess Ninja Tune agreed with my thoughts on the standout remixes, as both Tiga's and Henrik Schwarz's versions were included on the Sound Mirrors Remixes compilation, issued later that year. 

Both the remix companion and the original version of Sound Mirrors are available digitally via Bandcamp for less than a fiver, and highly recommended.

 

 

Working Men's Holiday

Summer Song by Sydney Minsky Sargeant was released on Monday and feels even more apt, given that the UK soared into the 30s on Tuesday. 

It was a few degrees higher than that the external high in the small bos room office with poor ventilation that I spent several hours in, going from one Teams meeting to another. 

Most of us switched cameras off halfway through, partly due to crappy audio and lag, though I was somewhat relieved not to be distracted by the sight of my own physical deterioration as the intense heat increased.

Thankfully, Sydney has chosen not to write a song extolling the virtues of good hydration and keeping cool, and instead delivers an effortlessly cool, trippy pop song with spiralling acoustics and a vocal delivery so relaxed that it could almost be horizontal.

Nagging familiar, yet absolutely in the now, this one's a keeper. 

Summer Song is the only preview that I've heard so far from Sydney's upcoming solo album Lunga (available on double vinyl, CD and digital, kids), but I'm a fan of Working Men's Club and a fan of Summer Song, so I will be checking it out.

More Busman's Holiday than Working Men's Holiday? Perhaps, but I'm not complaining!

Ron Number

A very happy birthday to Ron Mael, born 12th August 1945 and 80 today.

Ron's generally the words and music guy, Sparks sibling Russell Mael predominantly handling lead vocal duties.

However, occasionally Ron will step up to the mike and it's always a treat.

 

 

It's something of an understatement to say that Ron's also co-written some mind-bogglingly brilliant pop songs for more than half a century and shows no sign of slowing down.

As a birthday bonus, a couple of Dubhed selections from the archives featuring the Mael brothers, dusted off for your listening pleasure.

A Shower Of Sparks (12th September 2021)

Can't You See The Existential Threat Is On It's Way? (15th November 2022)

Hope you've at least taken the day off today, Ron, have fun!

It's A Shame About Ray

Celebrating Ray Brooks, 20th April 1939 to 9th August 2025.

I was sad to read at the weekend of Ray's passing.

For my generation, Ray is embedded in the best of my childhood memories as the narrator of Mr. Benn. However, this was one credit (albeit in retrospect a huge one) in a long and illustrious career as an actor. 

The other iconic role for me, and again one that has been cemented by countless repeats on TV, is that of David in 1966's second big screen outing for Doctor Who, Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. 

We've another quarter of a century to find out if that particular prophecy is coming true, but Ray's star turn as the super cool resistance leader gave me greater than Bernard Cribbins' bumbling bobby Tom.

But hang on a mo, isn't this supposed to be a music blog? Yes, well... what seems to have been left out of the obituaries that I've read so far is that Ray also wrote, recorded and released a 12-track album in 1971 called Lend Me Some Of Your Time.

The title song was released as a single.

Both album and single seem to have made no impression on the UK charts, as did 1972's follow-up standalone single, Pictures.

I hadn't heard either of them before writing this post, but I enjoyed both songs. 

There are couple of lovely blog posts dating from 2013 and 2014, although sadly Ray's official website is long gone, as therefore are copies of the album on CD for sale at a bargain £3.75.

Bite It Deep: Forgotten Pop Gems From The 60s & 70s

The Downstairs Lounge: Chewy Vinyl Nuggets Of The Very Choicest British Comedy Records

Sadly, my quest to find the album's closing song, Guttersnipe, was unsuccessful...

Farewell, Ray, and thanks for bringing such joy to so many.

And, as you've waited so patiently, as if by magic...

25 For 25, Part Two

Following up from last week's first half, today's 13-song selection rounds out the 25 For 25 highlights of the year so far. 

 

I've been fortunate enough to see two of these artists live on stage in the last couple of months, and with any luck by the time year end comes around, I'll have seen another two, also for the very first time.

 

I had an opportunity to see another this summer, with tickets for a "secret", "intimate" 5k capacity gig in Bristol, which I thought Lady K might be interested in going to. When I broached the subject, she gave me a withering look and said that they were "stuck in the 2010s".

 

I don't know what made me feel older: Lady K's reference to the 2010s - which I consider to be yesterday - as ancient history, or Mrs. K suggestion that a middle-aged man going on his own to a show with potentially a predominantly teen audience might draw attention for all the wrong reasons. I didn't go.

 

I leave you to hazard a guess at the opportunity that I passed up. 

 

Speaking of older, I've previously seen three other of today's featured artists, all who crashed into the public consciousness in the 1980s and/or 1990s. and have released great new music in the past 12 months.

 

Things change over time and my enthusiasm for certain things in my youth may have waned somewhat in passing decades, but my passion for music remains undimmed. 

1) Waiting: Yvonne Lyon & Boo Hewerdine (Things Found In Books)

2) Slow Emotion Replayed: The The (Slow Emotion Replayed EP)

3) Monday Murder: YUNGBLUD (Idols)

4) Rubber Inner Tube: Mark Rae ft. Heidi Haswell (New Town Ghosts)

5) Space Station Mantra: Andy Bell (Pinball Wanderer)

6) Metrosexual Man: Davey Woodward (Mumbo In The Jumbo)

7) Kicking Up Dust: F.O. Machete (Mother Of A Thousand)

8) On The Missing: Later Youth ft. Lissie (Living History)

9) Being Baptised (Piano Version): Manic Street Preachers (Critical Thinking (Deluxe Edition))

10) Portland Town: Heavenly (Portland Town EP)

11) pond song: Wet Leg (moisturizer)

12) Fuckboy: Billy Nomates (Mary And The Hyenas OST)

13) Moonlight Hotel: Charlie Noordewier (Moonlight Hotel EP)

Side Two (45:21) (GD) (M)

Is It Obvious? Or Is It Delirium?

Last Sunday's post summed up some of the great music in 2025 so far and tomorrow will complete the 25 For 25 set.

That selection has focused on what I would loosely describe as 'alternative' music, whereas I have featured several selections this year that are more electronic / beats based.

And there's so much of it, I can't keep up, to be honest. Exhibit A: another 90-minute, 15 song pick that refuses to be pigeonholed.

There is something of a nostalgic feel to this one. The All Seeing I have released an expanded version on their 1999 album Pickled Eggs And Sherbert, including 4 reworkings by founder member Richard Barratt aka Crooked Man, which you can also buy as a standalone EP. Of course I had to pick 1st Man In Space featuring living legend Phil Oakey.

Phil's in good company. The following song La Musica was originally released in 2014 by Munk and re-released this year as a collaboration with Kapote...although they are one and the same person, Mathias Modica. The version here features George Kranz, heavily incorporating his 1983 song Din Daa Daa.

Oh, and Yoko Ono pops up in the next song by the brilliant Jezebell,  Dub Narcotic Sound System's 1994 single Fuck Shit Up gets a makeover by hi-falutin' Hifi Sean and you'll hear a familiar snippet of Peter Fonda amongst the guess-the-sample offering by Follytechnic Music Library aka Paul Southgate. Paul's seemingly unstoppable output of edits and mash-ups deserves a post of its own. I must get to it.

It's not all reflective, though. If you've been following this blog all year, you will have twigged that I like Airsine's Like Fire EP. I mean, a lot. Three of the four versions have now appeared on 2025 round-up selections, so I guess I'd better save the remaining one for the 'best of the year' round up.

senses appear for the second time in a week with the same song. The original 'indie' version has a charm all of its own, but there was no way I was leaving out Andy Bell's GLOK remix. 

Likewise, Let Yourself Go by Una Camille & Dr. No (well, Richard Norris in disguise actually) popped up previously with one of his own remixes, but I had to make room here for the super Acid Mix by Leo Zero. 

Leo's been pretty busy himself this year, as I found to my (literal) cost last Bandcamp Friday, so there will be more from him here soon. 

Other gifts that keep giving since their release are albums by Hifi Sean and David McAlmont and 100 Poems aka Mike Wilson. Hugo Nicholson is in a real purple patch at the moment, Pete Bones too, here with a remix of Nick Hook for a charity fundraiser EP.

Relatively recent discoveries are Greendoxyn (here with Lyubava), via the ever reliable NEIN Records label,  and London duo Mermaid Chunky, who I found via their collaboration with Orbury Common in 2022.

Rounding things out is sLEdger, who got my attention with an excellent remix of Fluke in 2024, and have kept it with some top notch and brilliantly titled releases. Trippy Ass God Funk indeed.

Please come back on Sunday for more 2025 highlights.

1) 1st Crooked Man In Space (Remix By Richard Barratt): The All Seeing I ft. Phil Oakey (Return Of The Crooked Cat EP)

2) La Musica (Din Daa Daa Version): Munk & Kapote ft. George Kranz (La Musica EP)

3) Turn It Yes: Jezebell (Jezebellearic Beats Volume 2)

4) Like Fire (Single Version): Airsine (Like Fire EP)

5) Spanner: Hugo Nicolson (Black Stick EP)

6) have you ever had a broken heart? (Andy Bell/GLOK Remix): senses (have you ever had a broken heart? EP)

7) Sleeping Pill (Album Version): Hifi Sean & David McAlmont (Twilight)

8) Waiting For An Angel: Greendoxyn & Lyubava (Waiting For An Angel EP)

9) Viva Palestina (Pete Bones Remix): Nick Hook (Viva Palestina (Dance For Peace Remixes) EP)

10) chaperone (Peach's 2Good 2Be Remix): Mermaid Chunky (chaperone EP)

11) Fuck Shit Up (Hifi Sean Mix): Dub Narcotic Sound System (Fuck Shit Up EP)

12) Let The Horse Run Free: 100 Poems (Let The Horse Run Free)

13) Surfer Man Got Loaded: Follytechnic Music Library (FML25 Baggy Ravers 3)

14) Let Yourself Go (Leo Zero Acid Mix): Una Camille & Dr No (Let Yourself Go EP)

15) Trippy Ass God Funk: sLEdger (Funk From The Portal EP)

Is It Obvious? Or Is It Delirium? (1:30:45) (GD) (M)

And if you missed the previous 2025 So Far selections...

28th March: It's A Glamorous World 

11th May: Doused In Dopamine

4th July: Staring Into Air

How Can You Hate The 808?!

'Cause I certainly don't.

Happy #808 Day!

1) Spastik (12" Version By Richie Hawtin): Plastikman (1993)

2) Xtal (Album Version): Aphex Twin (1992)

3) Voodoo Ray (Original Mix): A Guy Called Gerald ft. Nicola Collier (1988)

4) (You Are My) All And All (Take Twelve) (Remix By Kurtis Mantronik): Joyce Sims (1986)

5) The Way You Move (Club Mix By Carlton Mahone, Jr.): Outkast ft. Sleepy Brown (2003)

6) It's Tricky (Album Version By Rick Rubin & Russell Simmons): Run-D.M.C. (1986)

7) Musique Non Stop (Album Version): Kraftwerk (1986)

8) French Kiss (The Songbird Sings Long Vocal Mix): Lil' Louis ft. Karlana Johnson & Shawn Christopher (1989)

1986: All And All EP: 4

1986: Electric Cafe: 7

1986: Raising Hell: 6

1988: Voodoo Ray EP: 3

1989: French Kiss EP: 8

1992: Selected Ambient Works 85-92: 2

1993: Spastik EP: 1

2003: Speakerboxxx / The Love Below: 5

How Can You Hate The 808?! (47:02) (GD) (M)

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Or, AFX with a video for Korg Funk5, directed by Nadia Lee Cohen.

As you might expect from Aphex Twin aka Richard D. James, aurally it's a bonkers track, coming in under four minutes and delivering the title's promise of Korg and funk.

Nadia creates an equally bonkers visual narrative involving a dancer (Nadia herself) repeatedly dying and replicating, travelling from a dance studio into the streets and navigating an array of colourful characters along the way.

Korg Funk5 is an old track, first emerging on the 14-track digital-only release Korg Trax+Tunings For Falling Asleep in 2017.

Korg Funk5 more recently popped up in December last year, simultaneously on the 5-track 12" & digital EP London 19.08.2023, and Music From The Merch Desk (2016 - 2023), a whopping 38-track collection for a mere 20 notes. 

Another Reason Why Now

The reality that Saint Etienne's upcoming 13th studio album, International, will also be their last is starting to sink in. 

I love the music that Sarah, Bob and Pete have created over the past three decades and it's sad that we are mere weeks away from a point when they deliver their last collection of new material.

At the same time, how often do we get to see beloved artists bring things to a close in a manner of their own choosing? No acrimonious split, bitter recriminations or artists flogging a dead horse and regurgitating and recycling ideas that seemed tired and worn out the second or third last time they did it.

If the second single, Take Me To The Pilot, and preceding lead single Glad are any indication, then International is Saint Etienne at their best, instantly recognisable as them, but pushing the concept of the band and their sound into new shapes.

A co-write with Paul Hartnoll of Orbital (why hasn't that happened before?), Take Me To The Pilot is it's own field, but feels complementary to a couple of previous singles: Heart Failed (In The Back Of A Taxi) (and especially the Two Lone Swordsmen remix by Andrew Weatherall and Keith Tenniswood) from 2000, and Who Do You Think You Are, specifically the 'Quex-rd' remix by Aphex Twin aka Richard D. James from 1993.

 

Glad is very much in the template of Saint Etienne's pop hits, though also very much in the 'now' of 2025. As ever, the videos for both are mesmerising, enhancing not distracting from the listening experience.

International is available for pre-order now, with a full release on 5th September and I may just have something in my eye on that day... 

Oh Deary Me, 'E's A Wrong 'Un

Adam Buxton has released a single and video. 

Doing It Wrong will either make you smile or get your hackles rising.

I'm firmly with the former. 

Not sure that I feel strongly enough to buy upcoming album Buckle Up, though. 

If you do, it's available for order now and all yours from 12th September.

As a bonus, here's Adam and Joe Cornish with Louis Theroux in 1990, dancing to Groove Is In The Heart by Deee-Lite. 

And why not?