Today The Dub, Tomorrow The World

An hour of dub, disco style, courtesy of Ashley Beedle vs. Deep Dish, Róisín Murphy vs. Crooked Man and Cosmos aka Tom Middleton, before Richard Norris takes you the long way home. 

Let the bass vibrate, the funk flow and the groove move you. 

Much as I'd like to say that this will be soundtracking an afternoon relaxing with a cold drink, maybe a barbecue, and some socialising, closer to the truth that this will be motivating Mrs. K and I as we plough through a weekend's worth of chores before the working week begins again.

I think it'll work in either scenario, and more. Let me know what you think.

1) Revolutions In Dub (Deep Dish Jumpin' At The Bar Parts 1 And 2 (Full Length Extended Versions)): Ashley Beedle (1995)

2) Murphy's Law (Murphy's Big Dub) (Remix By Crooked Man aka Richard Barratt): Róisín Murphy (2020)

3) Summer In Space (Miami Dub Plate Mix By Tom Middleton): Cosmos ft. David Laudat (1999)

4) Shark Tooth Dub Extended: Richard Norris (2023)

Today The Dub, Tomorrow The World (59:29) (GD) (M)

Gentleman Rudeboy

In October 2024, I wrote about Ashley Beedle's incredible challenges: stage 4 prostate cancer, a brain bleed and seizure, followed by a massive stroke, that also robbed him of speech.

The physical and mental toll is in parallel with the financial cost: we are so fortunate to have the NHS, but that's frequently only part of the story, for example full-time, ongoing care, physio treatment, adaptations, the list goes on.

And that's without considering the drop in gig bookings and work - and income - in the last few years, as Ashley met one challenge after another. 

A GoFundMe page was set up, smashed it's initial targets of £50,000 then £160,000 and is currently approaching it's present goal of £175,000. You can donate here.

Last week, the PRS Members' Fund posted a short video featuring Ashley and his wife Jo. It's incredible to see not only how far Ashley has come in his recovery - the voice, the smile, the humour - but Jo as an example of the difference that a loved one - a spouse, a partner, a friend - can make. 

This always comes at great personal cost, and it's what you do when you love someone, but it also gives hope, in the face of the craziness around us, that human beings are capable of immense strength, determination, selflessness and love.

It's also a reminder, at a time that music is increasingly seen as without monetary value, and those that make it should be honoured that people are even listening to/streaming their music, and that this should be given for free.

The PRS Members’ Fund was formed in 1934, to support songwriters and composers during the Great Depression. Nearly 100 years later, as Ashley and Jo's story proves, it's needed as much as ever.

All love and power to you, Ashley and Jo.

Back in 2024, I posted a fantastic 2-hour set that Ashley created for BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix in 1997, which you can find here. 

I signed off with the promise of "a (relatively shorter) Dubhed selection of Ashley Beedle's remixes and collaborations which will hopefully see light before the end of the year..." 

[embarrassed cough] Er, nineteen months later, I've created a 64-minute selection of Beedle bangers, starting with a remix of Manic Street Preachers (sacrilege in 1993) and Lazy, his global smash hit with X-Press 2 and David Byrne. The rest spans Femi Kuti, The Fall, David Holmes/Unloved and D:Ream, so you are in for a real treat.

And. after you've finished dancing, why not donate?

1) Roses In The Hospital (51 Funk Salute Mix By Ashley Beedle): Manic Street Preachers (1993)

2) Lazy (Freeform Reform Vocal) (Remix By Freeform Five): X-Press 2 ft. David Byrne (2002)

3) Jonny Lipshake (The 360° Drunken Master Soundboy Special) (Remix By Ashley Beedle): Baby Fox (1996)

4) Brother Sun ft. Kimbra (Rodi Kirk & Aron Ottignon Version) (Ashley Beedle's North Street Dub): Electric Wire Hustle (2016)

5) Beng Beng Beng (Ashley Beedle's Afrikans On Marz): Femi Kuti (1999)

6) Same (Ashley Beedle's Afroart Vocal Mix): Smith & Mighty ft. Tammy Payne (2000)

7) Touch Sensitive (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit): The Fall (2014)

8) Witchi Tai To (Album Version) (Cover of 'Everything Is Everything' by Jim Pepper): X-Press 2 ft. Tim De Laughter (2006)

9) Number In My Phone (Black Science Orchestra Remix By Ashley Beedle): Unloved (2022)

10) I Used To Believe In Love (Ashley Beedle's NSW Love & Joy Dub Mix): D:Ream (2021)

1993: Roses In The Hospital EP: 1

1996: Jonny Lipshake EP: 3

1999: Shoki Remixed: 5

2000: Same EP: 6

2002: Lazy EP: 2

2006: Makeshift Feelgood: 8

2014: Message In The Music: The Ashley Beedle Re-Edits (2x CD + DVD): 7

2016: Brother Sun EP: 4

2021: I Used To Believe In Love EP: 10

2022: Number In My Phone EP: 9

Gentleman Rudeboy (1:03:48) (GD) (M)

It's Happened Before

If like me you've had a week to forget, then a bevy of beauteous, bouncy beats is just what the doctor ordered....

....as long as the doctor is Dr. Syntax, that is, former Fluke fellows Mike Tournier and Jan Burton, whose remix of AIR-adjacent Gallic gents Mellow gets today's selection off to a rollicking start.

Staying in France briefly, Fred Falke invites German chums Axel Bartsch and Asem Shama aka VanGuard back to stay at his, the results a stuttering, juddering night in the studio.

Purple Penguin was a record shop, a label, a recording artist and a way of life in my beloved birthplace Bristol. Whilst they were never as massive as, er, Massive Attack, Tricky or Portishead, they were purveyors of mighty fine trip hop music, as debut single Passion attests.

The music of Cantoma aka Phil Mison was a relatively recent discovery for me, though the song selected here - a remix of North Shore by London boys Conrad McDonnell and Dan Tyler aka Idjut Boys - was released as a 12" single way back in 2010. Like a Balearic breeze blowing through your mind.

Pet Shop Boys really need no introduction, neither should DJ and producer Danny Tenaglia, but their coming together for a remix of 1996 single Before was really rather inspired. One of my favourite PSB tracks from that period and inspiration for the title of today's selection.

Hot Chip have been circling around in my consciousness since my post on Alexis Taylor's current single on Wednesday. In 2011, Dan Snaith took time out from his Caribou day job to put out music as Daphni. Dan was invited to remix Hot Chip's single Night And Day, a Record Store Day 12" single in 2012 which hits hard and doesn't give up.

The Other Two is a tongue-in-cheek, raspberry-blowing reference to the fact that whilst New Order stalwarts Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook were getting attention for their projects, Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris quietly got on with making music of their own. Ashley Beedle is on typically fine form on this dub remix of 1993 single Selfish.

Closing this collection are The Woodentops and, in keeping with today's title/theme, it's happened before. The remix of A Pact by Skyscraper HiFi aka Jon Dasilva and Jonas Nilsson originally featured last March on the Dubhed selection It's A Glamorous World, but that feels long enough ago to justify another appearance here. A chuggy, huggy masterpiece.

I hope that's got the blood flowing and the head cleared. If not, you may require urgent medical assistance!

1) Paris Sous La Neige (Vox Remix By Dr. Syntax) (Edit): Mellow (2000)

2) Back To Stay (VanGuard Remix): Fred Falke (2009)

3) Passion (Vocal) (Single Version): Purple Penguin (1995)

4) North Shore (Idjut Boys Version) (Instrumental): Cantoma (2010)

5) Before (Danny Tenaglia's Underground Mix): Pet Shop Boys (1996)

6) Night And Day (Daphni Mix): Hot Chip (2012)

7) Selfish (The East Village Dub): The Other Two (1993)

8) A Pact (Skyscraper HiFi Remix B): The Woodentops (2025)

It's Happened Before (45:58) (GD) (M)

Balearica Discodelica

For no other reason than it's Thursday when I thought it was Friday, a six-song selection of choice Cosmodelica cuts, courtesy of Colleen Murphy.

The half dozen versions span one of her earliest excursions in 2009 through to a red hot remix of a 70s classic, released a couple of weeks ago, touching on multiple points of excellence along the way. 

I haven't yet heard Colleen's take on The Cure from their recently released Mixes From A Lost World album, but I'm confident that it will have turned Robert Smith's frown upside down!

1) Stop Apologising (Cosmodelica Extended Mix): David Holmes ft. Raven Violet (2024)

2) God Gets A Little Busy Sometimes (Cosmodelica Remix): Izo FitzRoy (2023)

3) Holiday Romance (Cosmodelica Holiday Drama Mix): Detachments (2010)

4) I Wanna Get Over (Cosmodelica Remix): Street People (2025)

5) When The Rain Falls (Cosmodelica Remix): Horace Andy & Ashley Beedle (2009)

6) Berlin (Cosmodelica Remix): A Certain Ratio (2021)

Balearica Discodelica (45:14) (Mega)

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that the usual second link to KrakenFiles is absent. This is what happened when I tried to log in this morning:

I will look for an alternative: Box has been a pain in the arse previously and other blogging buddies seem to lean towards GoogleDrive or DropBox, so I will have a secondary link up and running from the weekend.

All That's Written Is Not So

Sixty-two minutes of Horace Andy for your listening pleasure, proof if needed that I don't need a birth, marriage or untimely passing to celebrate a great artist.

Horace Keith Hinds turned 74 in February and is as vital as ever, not least a stunning live performance with Massive Attack at last year's ACT 1.5 event in Bristol and a brace of Adrian Sherwood-produced albums, Midnight Rockets and Midnight Scorchers.

It was Massive Attack's Blue Lines album that was my proper introduction to Horace Andy's music, and I've been trying to keep pace since, with his extensive back catalogue and prolific contemporary recordings.

This 14-song can't hope to be comprehensive, and leans heavily on collaborations from this century, though it easily demonstrates how consistently brilliant Horace has been throughout his career and why he's considered a giant in the genre.

1) Control Yourself (Single Version By Horace Hinds): Horace Andy (1978)

2) Careful (Album Version By Adrian Sherwood): Horace Andy (2022)

3) Money Money (Remix By Tad A. Dawkins & Sylvan Morris): Horace Andy (1980)

4) (Exchange) (Version): Massive Attack ft. Horace Andy (1998)

5) Just Say Who (Gaudi Rootikal Remix By Daniele Gaudi): Almamegretta ft. Horace Andy (2008)

6) Babylon You Lose: Horace Andy & Ashley Beedle (2008)

7) Airbag (Cover of Radiohead): Easy Star All-Stars ft. Horace Andy (2006)

8) If I (Album Version By Horace Hinds & Everton Da Silva): Horace Andy (1977)

9) Papa Was A Rolling Stone (Album Version By Mad Professor) (Cover of The Temptations): Horace Andy (1997)

10) Girl I Love You (Album Version): Massive Attack ft. Horace Andy (2010)

11) Fly High (Album Version By Howie B.): Two Culture Clash ft. Howie B. & Horace Andy (2004)

12) Skylarking (Album Version): Horace Andy + Sly & Robbie (2006)

13) Racing Away (Album Version By Duncan Bridgeman & Jamie Catto): 1 Giant Leap ft. Grant Lee Phillips & Horace Andy (2002)

14) Hymn Of The Big Wheel (Album Version By Massive Attack & Jonny Dollar): Massive Attack ft. Horace Andy, Mikey General & Neneh Cherry (1991)

1977: In The Light: 8

1980: Showcase: 3

1991: Blue Lines: 14

1997: Good Vibes: 1

1997: Roots And Branches: 9

1998: Mezzanine: 4

2001: 1 Giant Leap: 13

2004: Two Culture Clash: 11

2006: Livin' It Up: 12

2006: Radiodread: 7

2008: Inspiration Information: 6

2008: Vulgus: 5

2010: Heligoland: 10

2022: Midnight Rocker: 2

All That's Written Is Not So (1:02:39) (KF) (Mega)

Essential Beedle

Presenting the Essential Mix that Ashley Beedle delivered to Pete Tong and first played on BBC Radio 1 on 9th March 1997.

A two hour masterclass featuring a ton of contemporary tunes, including some of his work, remixes and aliases as Black Science Orchestra and Black Jazz Chronicles, the latter with the then as yet unreleased Snooky's Spirit.

 

Later on, some deeper cuts from Underground Resistance and Fela Kuti, before closing out with a trio of tracks from Black Science Orchestra, it's a joy from start to end.

 

You may be aware that Ashley and his family are facing a tough time, to massively understate things and friend Adam Dewhurst set up a GoFundMe page to ask for help. I've lifted the following info directly from the page:

 

Despite having battled with Stage 4 prostate cancer for the last 4 years and receiving his last treatment for it in October 2023, Ashley was dealt a devastating blow at the beginning of November 2023. He suffered a brain bleed and seizure due to the rupture of a brain mass and in February 2024, during a 16 hour operation to remove the mass, he suffered a major stroke that caused the loss of movement in the leg and arm on Ashley’s right-hand side and robbed him of his power of speech.

Since recovering in King’s College’s Critical Care unit, Ashley has proved himself to be a fighter and has surmounted all odds with an incredible sense of humour and determination that has impressed everyone involved.

Thanks to the extraordinary care and support from the NHS; due to this initial care Ashley’s speech is slowly returning, and he's being discharged from the residential rehab centre.

However, he’ll remain in a room in a nursing home for the foreseeable future until suitable assisted living accommodation becomes available for him and his wife, Jo, via the local council housing list.

Sadly, the diagnosis is that his mobility will not return to his right side and he will be confined to a wheelchair requiring full time carers for the majority of his activities including bathing and getting in and out of bed.

To get to this stage, Ashley and his wife have had to use all of their savings and now need our help. The GoFundMe monies will go towards providing Ashley with a secure and comfortable future with access to private physio treatment, wheelchair friendly furniture, a hospital bed for home use etc. Ashley wants you to know that he is a survivor and not a victim and he says ‘thank you’ to all of you who contribute towards the fund.

 

I heard about the GoFundMe campaign early on thanks to Swiss Adam at Bagging Area and duly donated, when the target at that time was £50,000. 

 

This target was smashed quickly, not least due to big donations from Carl Cox (straight in there like the legend he is), Calvin Harris and fellow DJs and artists, but also a huge outpouring from people who have been moved by Ashley's incredible work over the past three decades and more.

 

The current GoFundMe goal has been stretched to £160,000 and it's very close to hitting that too. The situation for Ashley and his family remains real and present. If you've enjoyed any of his music, his remixes or his DJ sets, even the few quid that you might ordinarily spend on a coffee or a meal deal will make a difference. You'll find the fundraiser for Ashley here.

 

If you're unfamiliar with Ashley, then you are in for a treat for the next couple of hours.

 

I'm also planning a (relatively shorter) Dubhed selection of Ashley Beedle's remixes and collaborations which will hopefully see light before the end of the year... 

 

1) The Ride (Acapella): Vince Alley (The Hancrafted EP) (1997)
2) Plans & Designs: Faze Action (Plans & Designs) (1997)
3) Gitchi-Manidoo (Geronimo Lessons Part 1 & 2) (Ashley Beedle Mix): Sacred Spirit (Indians (Dance Remixes)) (1995)
4) Whirlwind: Wamdue Kids (These Branching Moments) (1996)
5) Utah Jazz: Rejuvination (00:50 / Soma Quality Recordings Compilation) (1997)
6) Make Your Mind Up: DJ Q ft. William Hall (Face The Music) (1997)

7) Armed And Extremely Dangerous (Black Science Orchestra/DJD Remixes): First Choice (Armed And Extremely Dangerous 1997 Mixes EP) (1997)
8) It's Alright, I Feel It! (Armand Van Helden Mix): Nu Yorican Soul ft. Jocelyn Brown (It's Alright, I Feel It! EP) (1997)
9) Mama (The Deep Love Science Remix By Black Science Orchestra): Restless Soul (Mama EP) (1997)
10) The Prayer (Priyè-a) (Vokal) (Remix By Jephté Guillaume & Joe Claussell): Jephté Guillaume ft. Daniel Beaubrun & Marjorie Beaubrun (The Prayer (Priyè-a) EP) (1997)
11) Firekeeper: The Martian (Firekeeper/Vortexual Conceptions EP) (1996)

12) Snooky's Spirit: Black Jazz Chronicles (Future JuJu) (1997)

13) Big Stone Lake: Underground Resistance (Nation 2 Nation EP) (1991)

14) Up Side Down: Fela Anikulapo Kuti & The Africa 70 ft. Sandra Akanke Isidore (Up Side Down) (1976)

15) Radio Freedom Sign On: unknown artist (Radio Freedom: Voice Of The African National Congress And The People's Army Umkhonto We Sizwe) (1985)

16) Hey Steve (Your Mama's Callin'): Black Science Orchestra (Where Were You EP) (1996)
17) New Jersey Deep: Black Science Orchestra (The Altered States EP) (1994)
18) Where Were You: Black Science Orchestra (Where Were You EP) (1996)

BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix (09 March 1997) (1:59:36) (GD) (M)

Holmes' 13

This post was originally intended to represent a David Holmes mix CD-R circa 2005. It was all going swimmingly until I got to the final track and found that it's on a CD single, unripped to date and boxed away in a far flung corner of the attic. One for another time then but it'll be worth the wait, I promise.

Instead, here's a brand new 13-track, hour-long selection of tunes that were more readily available on my hard drive. It's a varied mix of music covering David's solo material, 'band' projects The Free Association and Unloved, soundtrack work, remixes by and for artists such as Primal Scream, Richard Sen, Ashley Beedle, Tim Goldsworthy and Secret Knowledge and a reciprocal remix to wrap things up by Andrew Weatherall and Keith Tenniswood aka Two Lone Swordsmen.

I like it, I hope you do too. 

Clan K are decamping to Valencia for a few days of cultural and culinary delights as well as some much needed R 'n' R. It's our first family holiday of any description for nearly four years - and it really feels like it - so I can't describe how much we're all looking forward to the break.

Rest assured, Dubhed dailies will continue in my absence: in a feat of unprecedented preparation, by the time you read this, I should have posts lined up and good to go. 

See you when I get back, sun-kissed, belly full, mentally and physically replenished and ready to foist fresh nonsense (my meanderings, not the music!) onto the blogosphere.

 

1) Boowaah: Unloved (2022)

2) Uptown (Free Ass Remix By David Holmes): Primal Scream (2008)

3) Sugar Daddy (Out Of Our Brains On The 5.15 Mix By Disco Evangelists aka David Holmes & Ashley Beedle) (Single Edit): Secret Knowledge (1993)

4) Why Not (Richard Sen Remix): Unloved (2020)

5) Lifting The Building: David Holmes (2004)

6) Bedroom: David Holmes (2002)

7) Lyman Zerga: David Holmes (2001)

8) My Mate Paul (Holmes & Goldsworthy Remix By David Holmes & Tim Goldsworthy): David Holmes (1998)

9) It's Not You, It's Me: Unloved (2019)

10) The Parcus And Madder Show: David Holmes (1997)

11) Salut La Dolce Vita Pt. 1: The Free Association (2002)

12) Minus 61 In Detroit (Full Length Version): David Holmes (1995)

13) Rodney Yates (Two Lone Swordsmen Remix By Andrew Weatherall & Keith Tenniswood): David Holmes (1998)

 

1995: Minus 61 In Detroit EP: 12

1996: Sugar Daddy '96 EP: 3 

1997: Let's Get Killed: 10

1998: My Mate Paul EP: 8 

1998: Stop Arresting Artists: 8, 13

2001: Ocean's Eleven OST: 7

2002: Analyze That OST: 6 

2002: Come Get It I Got It: 11

2004: Ocean's Twelve OST: 5

2008: Uptown EP: 2 

2019: Killing Eve, Season Two OST: 9

2020: Why Not EP: 4

2022: The Pink Album: 1

 

Holmes' 13 (1:01:35) (KF) (Mega)

The D:Ream I Could Believe

D:Ream aka Peter Cunnah and Al Mackenzie appeared in my 2021 round up with their rather fine comeback single Meet Me At Midnight and (no spoiler alert) they've done it again this year. 

 

Pedestal was released as a single in September and this month saw a rather fine remix package featuring, amongst others, Dubhed favourites Jezebell aka Jesse Fahnestock and Darren Bell. Jezebell were also in my 2021 list and (no spoiler alert), they'll be in this year's round up, which I'll be sharing after Christmas.

 

It's been a great couple of years if you're a fan of either or both. D:Ream's fourth album (and first in a decade) came out in 2021. Peter and Al also got the rights back to their third album In Memory Of..., gave it the love and attention it lacked first time around and re-released it into the world. Alongside both albums came a trio of remix packages available as a 'name your price' download via Bandcamp. Needless to say, an embarrassment of riches to be found across all.

 

So, in case you're already weary of Paul McCartney, Elton John, East 17 and Mariah Carey, here's a D:Ream selection of remixes, mostly from the past two years but also dipping back into the 1990s for a trio of classics by Leftfield, Sasha and Development Corporation. The remix of Unforgiven previously appeared on a Leftfield selection posted in February this year, but when it's this good, why apologise for repetition?

 

I'm loving the 21st century remixes too: Pete Herbert never disappoints and any of Al Mackenzie's remixes as Retroforward have been spot on. And that Jezebell remix is just sublime.

 

One more sleep to go until Christmas, but I hope this might encourage you to stay up a little later and dance around the Christmas tree. Keep scrolling to the bottom for an extra Christmas treat.

 

This one's especially dedicated to Jez, genius behind the A History Of Dubious Taste music blog. Wishing you all the best for your recovery.

 

1) Many Hands (Shape Of Space Remix By Paul Greendale & Chris Stevenson) (2021)

2) Unforgiven (Leftfield Hands Mix By Neil Barnes & Paul Daley) (1993)

3) I Used To Believe In Love (Ashley Beedle's NSW Love & Joy Vocal Mix) (2021)

4) U R The Best Thing (Sasha Dub) (Remix By Alexander Coe & Tom Frederikse) (1992)

5) Pedestal (Jezebell's Dizzy Heights Remix By Jesse Fahnestock & Darren Bell) (2022)

6) Drop Beatz Not Bombs (Deepchild Remix By Rick Bull) (2011)

7) All Things To All Men (Pete Herbert Remix) (2011)

8) Meet Me At Midnight (Retroforward Plays Pop Remix By Al Mackenzie) (2021)

9) Things Can Only Get Better (Superfly Development Vocal) (Remix By Development Corporation) (1993) 

10) Make Love Cool Again (RMN vs Jus Jez Remix) (2021)

The D:Ream I Could Believe (1:04:46) (KF) (Mega)

 

Pedestal

Please tell me how, please tell me how
It’s come to this again?
Tell me it aint so
I gotta know, I gotta know
Are we on again?
Maybe? I don’t know

What answer leaves you racked in doubt
Can’t figure you, can’t work it out
I’m wondering, "What the hell it all means"?

I put you up on a pedestal
You were the dream I could believe but you just kept on deceiving me
Well I held you above me
You just looked down on me

Tell it to the child, like you tell a child
You’re not making sense
Tell me, I must know
Give him a name. Give, give him a name
Just say his name
Tell me. I got a right to know

Come share another ecstasy
We’ll make love so tenderly
We’ll make love ‘til our bodies ache

I put you up on a pedestal
You were the dream I could believe but you just kept on deceiving me
I put you way up on a pedestal
I worshipped the ground you walked upon
But you just kept walking over me
Well I held you above me
You just looked down on me

My head, my hands aint got no feeling
In my head, my hands, you just don’t mean it
In my head, my hands I can’t believe it
I just can’t

I put you up on a pedestal
You were the dream I could believe but you just kept on deceiving me
I put you way up on a pedestal
I worshipped the ground you walked upon
But you just kept walking over me
Well I held you above me
You just looked down on me

 

Jesse Fahnestock, one half of Jezebell, is also 100% of 10:40 and has featured on this blog many times including the 2021 round up and (no spoiler alert) will be popping up again next week. Clearing the decks for a new album in 2023, Jesse has been posting a rather wonderful 10:40 advent calendar, containing previous album tracks, singles and remixes, all for free. I've been a fan since first discovering 10:40 during the pandemic and created my own Dubhed selection of 10:40 and Jezebell gems back in May. Many of the 10:40 tracks have re-appeared in the advent calendar so if you haven't got them already, I'd strongly recommend you get over there today!

 

Last Christmas Eve, I posted the latest festive offering from Martin Jenkins aka Pye Corner Audio. 2022 is no exception and Martin has provided another free/name your price chiller in the shape of Satan's Slay.  

 

It's going to be tough Christmas for many, I know. However you're spending your time this weekend, love and very best wishes from me. Your visits to this blog and comments on my musical ramblings have been a constant source of encouragement and support when I've found things difficult and I hope in some small way, I can pay some of this forward. 

A brief, prepared post for tomorrow. Normal business should resume on Boxing Day.