Showing posts with label Jezebell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jezebell. Show all posts

Saturday, 9 August 2025

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 
4th July: Staring Into Air

Saturday, 12 July 2025

Saved By The Jezebell

Thanks to Jezebell, the perfect soundtrack to the summer - any summer - has arrived, with their new compilation, Jezebellearic Beats Volume 2.

Barely a year ago, on receiving the vinyl edition of Volume 1, I wrote that 

"Bearing in mind that Jesse Fahnestock and Darren Bell released Jezebell's debut single Thrill Me in 2021, issuing a 'greatest hits' in August 2023 and labelling it 'Volume 1' may have seemed rather ambitious, cocky even. 

 Yet, even with a digital edition packed with 20 tracks, the duo still had to leave out many mixes and versions that could easily have made the cut. It's really that good."

So, given that it's a mere 23 months since Volume 1 landed, have Jesse and Darren chanced their arm with another 20-track collection, with over two and a quarter hours of music?

Not a chance. These guys know what they are doing, and the confident curation of tracks captures the head spinning prolificacy of this dynamic duo.

If evidence is needed, look no further than the fact that a quarter of the collection comprises brand new and exclusive tracks, opening with Movimento Lento, closing with Turn It Yes, and sprinkling Japaneasy, Red Black & Green and Geo Metric in the mix. 

As ever, the pleasure of a Jezebell song is in repeated listening and whilst I've listened to Volume 2 a few times, I'm still nowhere near to unlocking the secrets of the new tracks, aside from Red Black & Green's pleasing hints of Zobi La Mouche by Les Negresses Vertes and the joyful voice of Yoko Ono in Turn It Yes.

What I will say is that the five new songs sit well with the previously released music, instantly recognisable as Jezebell, whilst continuing to push their sound forward, evolving into new shapes and forms. 

There are also a couple of exclusive 2025 reworkings. This can often mean either a deep love for a piece of music, or a nagging dissatisfaction leading to a pull to tweak or correct the original work. 

Jezebell originally remixed Submissive Background by Ian Vale in 2022 and I thought it was pretty damn good then. The '2025 Re-Remix' is essentially the same, but gives the music more muscle; the percussion positively booms from the speakers and the whole track sounds a little brighter, more confident of itself.

Dancing (Not Fighting) also appeated in 2022, a Jezebell EP built around a sample of Mick Jones from The Clash. The original came in four top notch mixes, In 2024 (to be precise, at 8:08 on 08/08), Jezebell released the 2-track 808 Day Exclusives EP, which included a remix of Dancing (Not Fighting). The 2025 remix appears to be a spruced up version of the latter, and is all the better for it. 

I've referred to my previous notes for some choice comments on other tracks and remixes. 

When I compiled a Jezebell selection, Clues To The Edit, last September, I referred to the 'Leave Your Lover' remix of Pandit Pam Pam's Pass A Wish "in sonic terms [as] equal parts chug and hug". Jezebell's 50 Ways Mix is cut from the same cloth, teasingly pleasing.

Two tracks from their Cream Tease EP have been included, which previously prompted me to comment that "You need more cheek than a Carry On film to name tracks Donkey and Hung, but they are bloody great" Yes. And then some!

I had a lot to say about the 2023's superb digital double pack EP Trading Places in 2023, not least for the '6PM' variation, including on the 'Daytime Versions' edition. Er, over to me.

"6PM is a revelation. After a punchy start, insistent beats, keyboard stabs and 1-2-3-4 sample, things really take an interesting turn at the 2:20 mark 
with Siouxsie Sioux's distinctive vocals kicking in. 

It's an inspired move and one which takes the music to another level. The longest track on both EPs at a smidge under seven and a half minutes, 
it feels like it could easily go on for twice as long."

Two years later and it's still a thrill to listen to.

Concurrence was an early release on When Disco Goes Wrong label in September 2021. In writing about the original version, I reflected that "To these ears, it's like hearing Sheila Chandra with John Bonham on drums and I can't get enough of it."

There were three additional remixes on the Concurrence EP, including one by Jesse with his 10:40 hat on, all excellent. In June 2022, an EP with four brand new remixes emerged, including the psychedelic epic included here by Akio Nagase.

Perfect Din was an exclusive for last year's Shelter Me: In Crisis compilation. Par for the course with Jezebell's music, Perefct Din "got me scratching my head trying to work out what samples [they'd] expertly woven into 408 seconds of groovy sounds." 

Sailing through the rest of Jezebellearic Beats Volume 2, there's the stunning 'Jezebellfast Remix' of Fitzroy Avenue by Warriors Of The Dystotheque featuring Joe Duggan, which wasn't short of a decent remix, but really, this pushed things right out there.

Likewise, Bibbles by Andres Y Xavi, which started off excellent in 2023 and somehow got even better when Jezebell got their hands on it - not once, but three times - the following year. 

I could go on, but I'll start retreading superlatives very soon. It's a testament to the power of Jezebell's sound and their refreshing approach to both their own and others' music that they can get away with two 20-track 'greatest hits' compilations in under two years. 

Not only that,  but the sequencing of the tracks is exemplary and the new songs on Volume 2, boldly proclaim that there's plenty more to come.

If all of the above hasn't had you rushing to snap up Jezebellearic Beats Volume 2 (and Volume 1, if you haven't already got it), then here's an open door. And they're both available as a 'name your price' purchase. What?!

Needless to say, if there is a vinyl edition of Jezebellearic Beats Volume 2 to follow, I will be there like a shot.

You did good, lads.

 
 
 
 

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

A Pair Of Portmanteaus


Parvale = Neil Parnell & Ian Vale
Jezebell = Jesse Fahnestock & Darren Bell

I do love a portmanteau name and when Nein Records label head Neil Parnell teamed up with Ian Vale, Parvale was created and new EP Breaker City the first fruits.

The lead track is an unashamedly heartfelt love letter to Acid and Breakbeat, blending the best of both into 345 seconds of compelling body music. 

I've greatly enjoyed Neil's releases and remixes as Tronik Youth and relatively recently caught up with Ian's work, so I was pretty much bought into this concept before hearing the track. That first listen sealed the deal.


Who else do you turn to for a remix than Jezebell? In their own words, Breaker City is "gone cut'n'paste and pop 'n' lock", dropping the tempo but not the attitude. A recurring sample of "nice 'n' slow" provides the remix with its name and, as you might expect, it's a slick, groovy six minutes that thrills from start to finish.


Closing track Drip Dry brings the BPMs right back up, another consumate and confident example of Neil and Ian's ability to pull from the past whilst reaching forward. At once evocative of the late 80s/early 90s and fresh as a springtime flower, it's another winner for me.  

Breaker City was released on 21st February but if you hang on to Bandcamp Friday to buy, even more of your hard earned pennies will reach the artists. And whilst you're at it, check out more of the Nein Records and Jezebell back catalogue too.

Tuesday, 31 December 2024

The End Of The End Of Year Lists

In my final post of 2024, I have taken another look at the Dubhed Top 20 most popular posts. As with 2023's list, these are in descending order to manufacture some countdown tension, again with a few video inserts at various points. Or you can scroll down the page to see what's at #1...

The spread is more uneven is more uneven this year - January and October are the most popular months, April not far behind. March, June to August and, perhaps less surprisingly, December don't even get a look in at the Top 20. My Dubhed selections feature in just over half of the Top 20, which is good to see.

January's birthday nod to Susanna Hoffs hit the mark and was well inside the Top 10 for most of the year, only dipping out when posts from the last few months starting climbing up. Jesse Fahnestock also scores a triple whammy, with Jezebell and 10:40 respectively.
 
Sadly, too many obituaries this year, the tributes to J. Saul Kane, Chris Cross of Ultravox and Keith LeBlanc being particularly well received, even though the news of their passing wasn’t.
 
And two comebacks also attracted a lot of attention, one very welcome (The Cure, crashing into the Top 10 in October) and one very much the opposite (#15 in November).
 
I'm delighted that this year's #1 featured what for me is the best album of the year, in any category or genre.

In case you missed them first time around, click on the titles for the original post. Dubhed selection links have also been restored, where appropriate. When you get to #1, go and read my review of the album, posted shortly after I played it for the first time, then you'll understand why there was never any doubt in my mind. Happily, as the most visited post in 2024, it seems that you all agree.

Thanks so much for your support this year. I love writing this blog, but your comments, suggestions and gentle editing corrections give me the motivation to keep writing, keep wanting to do better and, in simple terms, give a shout out for all those talented people whose passion to create music inspires me every day.

Have a great New Year's Eve and best wishes for a brilliant 2025. I'll be here as usual tomorrow.
 
20) Roll With Me 'Til The Sun Dips Low (Khruangbin) (18th October)
19) Swallow It Up (Lee 'Scratch' Perry) (1st October)
17) I'm On Fire, Boss! (Bruce Springsteen covers) (19th January)
16) These Things That Stir Me Will Not Deter Me (Jo Bartlett) (7th February)
 
13) Citizen Kane (J. Saul Kane) (19th November)
12) Unplug The Jukebox (Adam & The Ants) (15th January)
11) Be Still My Beating Heart (Susanna Hoffs) (17th January)
 
10) Dubcamp Friday (4th October)
9) Name After Name After Name (Chris Cross / Ultravox) (2nd April)
8) Summer Alone (The Cure) (8th October)
7) Clues To The Edit (Jezebell) (22nd September)
6) ACT 1.5 (Massive Attack) (2nd September)
 
5) Sub Dub (African Head Charge) (20th October)
4) LeBlanc Beats (Keith LeBlanc) (5th April)
3) Chart History (Top 20 UK singles) (20th January)
2) Thousand (Dubhed's 1,000th post) (6th January)   
1) A Gift (Sounds From The Flightpath Estate) (6th April)     

When I posted the Dubhed 2023 Top 20 on 2nd January, John Medd was quick to respond with a suggestion:
 
"I know it would be like knitting fog 
but have you thought of condensing the year down 
not just into 20 posts, but 20 tracks 
- segued into a 60/70/80 minute megagmix? 
Push the boat out, 
make two sides of 40/45 mins 
and whack it out as a C90!"

I replied, filed it away and then pulled it back out of the drawer when I started this post. 21/22 tracks segued into an 85-minute mix. You can split it in half and fit onto a C90, if you don't mind some spooling at the end of Side 2. 

This selection is dedicated to John Medd (thanks for the suggestion, hope you're doing well) and Swiss Adam (not least for his contribution to this year's #1). 
 
And to everyone else, whether you're a fellow blogger (active or lapsed), commenter or silent visitor - not forgetting those lovely bots in China and South Korea - thank you again!

1) Three Rings: 10:40 ft. Emilia Harmony (2024)
2) 1000 Fahrenheit (Welsh Version): The Wedding Present (2014)
3) Camouflage (Single Version): Campbell / Mallinder / Benge (2021)
4) A Love International (Album Version): Khruangbin (2024)
5) Roll Away The Stone: Mott The Hoople (1974)
6) Hymn (Album Version): African Head Charge (1990)
7) Mega Mix (Remix By Grimm Death aka J. Saul Kane): Bomb The Bass (1988)
8) Donkey: Jezebell (2024)
9) Young Savage: Ultravox (1977)
10) Alone (Live @ BBC Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House, London): The Cure (2024)
11) ID (Unreleased early version of 'Eutopia'): Massive Attack x Young Fathers (2020)
12) (I Want To) Kill Somebody (Keith LeBlanc Mix): S*M*A*S*H (1994)
13) 100lbs Of Summer (Tricky Remix): Lee 'Scratch' Perry ft. Greentea Peng (2023)
14) Tuff Gong: Creation Rockers (2012)
15) They Don't Know (Cover of Kirsty MacColl): Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs (2013)
16) A.N.T.S.: Adam & The Ants (1981)
17) We All Need (Jezebell's Ghost Train Mix): A Certain Ratio (2024)
18) All You Fascists (Cover of 'All You Fascists Bound To Lose' by Woody Guthrie): Broken Chanter (2024)
19) I'm On Fire (Cover of Bruce Springsteen): Anna Ternheim (2023)
20) Drawing A Line (Ghost Tape No.2): Jo Bartlett (2024)
21) Smokebelch II (Khayem's Second Cut Won't Hurt At All): Andy Bell & The Sabres Of Paradise (2024)

The End Of The End Of Year Lists (1:24:50) (KF) (Mega)

(Sleeve) Notes: 
 
1) The songs by The Wedding Present, Broken Chanter and Anna Ternheim didn't respectively feature in the original posts #2, 15 and 17 but would have if I'd had the songs at the time!
 
2) Same for J. Saul Kane's brilliant Bomb The Bass megamix from 1988.
 
3) I still haven't actually bought or listened to The Cure's new album from start to finish, but I have dipped into the concert for BBC Radio 2. Isn't it wonderful?

4) You'll quickly twig that A.N.T.S. by Adam & The Ants is set to the tune of Y.M.C.A. by The Village People. And why not?
 
5) Jesse Fahnestock is not paying me to get maximum exposure in the annual Dubhed Top 20, honest.
 
6) Jesse's contribution as 10:40 to Sounds From The Flightpath Estate was released as a standalone single in the summer, which is why it's included here. The album in general was only available as a limited edition double vinyl, which sold out in (excuse the pun) record time.

7) In March 2020, during the COVID lockdown, Andy Bell was taking song requests to perform and post on YouTube. Andrew Weatherall had passed mere weeks before, and @supawide45 suggested Andy have a go at Smokebelch II in tribute to The Guv'nor. Which he did, commenting, "Makes me want to actually record an acoustic arrangement of it!"

In March 2024, after a close-to-the-wire completion and submission, Andy's recorded version of Smokebelch II was released as the closing song on Songs From The Flightpath Estate. As it was perhaps always meant to be.

I've not included Andy's 2024 version, as it's place is on the album that Swiss Adam and his Flightpath Estate colleagues poured their hearts and souls into creating. 
 
Instead, I've taken Andy's lockdown sketch, itself barely half a minute, looped and re-edited it a bit, then spliced with a section of Andrew, Jagz and Gary's Beatless Mix of Smokebelch II from 1993. It's an amateurish edit, but I think it (just about) works.         

Friday, 27 December 2024

There Was A Paradise In This Island


Celebrating DJ Alfredo Fiorito, following the sad news on Christmas Eve of his passing at the age of 71 (not 1,971 as I posted yesterday!)

There are a countless number of tributes out there, so many from people who knew Alfredo, worked with him and of course experienced his passion for music through his DJ sets in Ibiza (and beyond). Frequently labelled the father (or godfather) of the Balearic Beat, his impact on dance and DJ culture in the 80s, 90s and up to the present day cannot be adequately measured.

I'm a prime example: I've never been to Ibiza, never experienced any of his DJ sets; yet, indirectly through DJs like Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold, who were inspired by their own visits to the island, and those early Balearic compilations, I learnt of Alfredo and his influence on not just a genre, but the art of the DJ.
 
This is one hour of music from a set at Amnesia in 1989, Alfredo dropping in Soul II Soul, Carly Simon, A Guy Called Gerald, Richie Havens, Les Negresses Vertes, Rhythim Is Rhythim, even Grandpa's Party by Monie Love. No snobbery, no boundaries, music is music. And it feels good.
 

If you can spare another hour, there's also a fascinating and lovely interview with Alfredo by Ben Turner (amongst many other things, the co-founder of Muzik magazine) at the International Music Summit in 2014. 
 
Lots to enjoy from this modest man, his voice and delivery matching the gentle and welcoming embrace of his profession, one that seems more serendipitous than planned.

Many memorable quotes, not least the one that succinctly describes Alfredo's (and any DJ worth their salt) raison d'etre: "To make them dance you have to tell them a story".


Alfredo suffered a stroke in 2021 and was no longer able to work, which led to further struggles to access health care and support himself day-to-day, leading to a fundraiser to address this. It was shameful that the island's clubs and businesses, which had - and continue - to profit from Ibiza's position didn't consistently and unconditionally rally round to support someone who had made such a significant contribution.
 
Alfredo is sadly no longer with us, but his legacy remains, continuing to inspire music into the present day. One of my firm favourites is Jezebell aka Jesse Fahnestock and Darren Bell, who have taken those Balearic elements and created something new and exciting.
 
In 2022, Jezebell released an EP called Jezebellearica Volume 1 (and yes, there was a Volume 2). The lead track is Jezebellearic, 7:43 of sheer bliss, weaving in disparate sounds from artists like Lionel Ritchie, Peter Gabriel and (I think) Prince, with samples of Alfredo from IMS 2014 floating over the top. It's utterly, utterly beautiful and a wonderful tribute to the man.


Jezebellearic appeared again on 2023's compilation Jezebellearic Beats Volume 1, which literally wore it's influences on it's sleeve and is full of similarly inspired music. Incredibly, this album - and in fact, the entire Jezebell catalogue - is available digitally on Bandcamp as a name your price purchase.

Alfredo's DJ set has ended, time to head from the club to the beach, watch the sun above the sea and sleep. 
 
Rest easy, Alfredo.

Thursday, 12 December 2024

Those Who Put Others Ahead Of Themselves


A Certain Ratio? A Christmas song? On my birthday?

Yes, I know I promised no shameless self-promotion today, but I wanted to say a big thank you for all the lovely messages yesterday. I had a lovely evening at Casa K and an especially lovely bonus was a brand new release from A Certain Ratio on my birthday. What could be better?

It wasn't a complete surprise, I'd had advance warning the previous month from ACR's promo mailing list, as follows:
 
Did someone say Christmas?

Yes, we too roll our eyes when we walk into the supermarket 
and see mince pies for sale in November, 
so yes it is too early to be releasing a Christmas single, 
but a Christmas single we have. 
 
Who would have thought it, 
ACR does Christmas.
 
Here is our new EP, 
another ACR surprise for 2024. T
he EP is called Christmasville UK 
and is released on December 11th. 
 
Only 500 have been pressed.
it features 3 remixes by old pals Jane Weaver & Emperor Machine 
and new pals Jezebell
who have all remixed tracks from It All Comes Down to This.
 
Plus the brand new track Now and Laughter, 
but we’ll tell you more about that in December.
 
The 12" vinyl sold out in no time, but I ordered the digital EP last Bandcamp Friday and the full gift was delivered and 'unwrapped' yesterday. An official video was released the day before for Now And Laughter.

What can I say? Very much in the vein of It All Comes Down to This, but Christmassy. But without jingle bells on top to gild the lily, as it were.
 
To these ears, there's a very slight relation in the chord sequence to The Pretenders' 2000 Miles, albeit in different key, with different instruments and a rumbling, almost menacing bass and fuzzy undercurrent, so this is a tenuous description to say the least! I'm trying to say it's great and very pleasing to the ears, in other words!

Now And Laughter is "dedicated to workers at the NHS, homeless charities, mental health crisis centres, care homes and all the people who give up their time to help the sick and homeless in our towns and cities" and this is reflected in the heartfelt lyrics. 
 
They also reference Christmas throughout, so the song has been automatically added to the Casa K Christmas playlist for repeated airings over the next few weeks.
 
The three remixes are no mere stocking fillers either, as the list of names above should have indicated. 
 
Jane Weaver turns Where You Coming From into a pulsating, electro earworm, all descending chords and spaced out backing vocals underpinning Jez's vocals.  

Andy Meecham aka The Emperor Machine delivers nearly nine minutes of irresistible body jerking disco funk with his rework of Out From Under, taking ACR back to 1982 and snapping them back like a rubber band into 2024. Placed in any decade, it sounds fantastic. 

The final and bonus birthday delight is the inclusion of long-time Dubhed favourites, the mighty Jezebell aka Jesse Fahnestock and Darren Bell. The dynamic duo put We All Need into the Jezebellearic blender and put the setting on 'pulse'. 

Here's what Jesse and Darren had to say about it:
 
"We've been awfully busy with remix work this year ... 
but when true pioneers come knocking, 
you answer the door. 
 
Chance has brought 
Manchester post-punk/dance legends A Certain Ratio 
and Jezebell together, 
and the results are available today."
 
And boy, do they deliver. It contains all of the elements that I've come to love about their remixes and own work, whilst losing none of A Certain Ratio's character in the mix. I'm already committed but I am confident that if this was your introduction to Jezebell, as it hopefully will be for many ACR fans, then you will want to check out the rest of their music immediately.

The advantage of music over cake (and the supremely talented Mrs K excelled herself this year) is that I can keep going back for more and more in one sitting without falling into sugar-induced unconsciousness. 

On the YouTube page for the Now And Laughter video, A Certain Ratio ask to consider donating to hometown-based initiatives Manchester Homelessness Partnership and Mustard Tree.
 
You may already contribute time and/or money to helping others in different ways. I'm a flawed, imperfect person in so many ways, but setting aside my personal challenges, putting others before myself and giving selflessly whenever and however I can is something I can get with.