Burn Baby Burn

Sunday 5th November is officially Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night if you prefer, although most of the displays in my neck of the woods inevitably took place on Saturday night. 

Things have changed dramatically since I was a kid. The weeks leading up to 5th November used to see children pitched up outside the local newsagents with a badly stuffed and clothed effigy and calling out for a "penny for the Guy". This year my local shop had a copper-hued approximation of Spongebob Squarepants, no kids and no indication of whether poor ol' Bob was going to end up on the pyre come the evening's festivities.

Hallowe'en was virtually non-existent as a "thing" when I was growing up but seems to have completely taken over from Bonfire Night in the last few decades. We were in Valencia for the former, which is followed on 1st November by el Dia de Todos los Santos ("All Saints Day" itself derived from the pagan festival "All Souls Day"), a national public holiday and a time to remember and honour the dead.

From a meteorological perspective, there couldn't have been a greater contrast. Hallowe'en and All Saints Day were bright and sunny, with temperatures in the mid-high 20s; Bonfire Night was bloody freezing and it had been raining for much of the day. We've not been to the local firework display since Lady K very quickly lost interest in it as a child and this year was no exception. Bah. And humbug.

However, it does give me an excuse to pull together a (let's face it, verrrry loose) Dubhed selection based on fireworks, bonfires and fires in general. Spoiler alert: despite the title, Ash doesn't feature at all.

What you do get for starters is a one-off collaboration between The Go-Betweens and The Birthday Party from 1982. From there, a trio of 1986 treats by XTC, Elvis Costello and Ciccone Youth, with more 1980s gems from Redskins, Siouxsie & The Banshees and Tom Robinson following later.

On Thursday, Walter - he of the excellent A Few Good Times In My Life blog - waxed lyrical about the 50th anniversary reissue of classic film The Wicker Man. As noted, Bristol legend Katy J Pearson was invited to cover a number of the soundtrack's songs. Katy brought some friends along, including Drug Store Romeos, Wet Leg and Sarah Meth for a spine-tingling version of Fire Leap.  

Speaking of covers, the only song I have by Joensuu 1685 is their full-volume cover of I'm On Fire by The Boss. The Helsinki-based band comprises three Joensuus - Markus, Mikko and Risto - though only the first two are related. Their second album was released in 2020 so I assume that they're still a going concern.

It would be remiss of me not to include a Spanish band in this selection and whilst they hail from Madrid not Valencia, who better than the raucous Hinds? 

By complete contrast, things drop down to a much more sedate level for the closing song, The KLF adding a chilled country twang to Build A Fire from their seminal album The White Room.

 

1) After The Fireworks: Tuff Monks (1982)

2) Sacrificial Bonfire: XTC (1986)

3) Indoor Fireworks: The Costello Show ft. The Attractions & The Confederates (1986)

4) Burnin' Up (Mike Watt Original Demo) (Cover of Madonna): Ciccone Youth (1986)

5) Building A Fire: James & Brian Eno (1994)

6) Worn From The Fight (With Fireworks): Castanets (2009)

7) (Burn It Up!) Bring It Down (This Insane Thing) (12" Version): Redskins (1985)

8) Light/Fireworks: The Fall (1993)

9) Fire Leap (Cover of Magnet): Katy J Pearson ft. Drug Store Romeos, Wet Leg & Sarah Meth (2023) 

10) Bonfire: Lamb (1999)

11) Fireworks (12" Version): Siouxsie & The Banshees (1982)

12) I'm On Fire (Cover of Bruce Springsteen): Joensuu 1685 (2009)

13) Looking For A Bonfire (Unreleased Alternate Recording): Tom Robinson (1984)

14) Burn: Hinds (2020)

15) Build A Fire (1991 Album Version): The KLF ft. Maxine Harvey (1991)

 

1982: After The Fireworks EP: 1

1982: Fireworks EP: 11

1985: (Burn It Up!) Bring It Down (This Insane Thing) EP: 7

1986: Burnin' Up/Into The Groove(y) EP: 4

1986: King Of America : 3 

1991: The White Room: 15

1993: The Infotainment Scan: 8

1994: Wah Wah: 5

1997: War Baby: Hope And Glory: 13

1999: Fear Of Fours: 10

2009: Texas Rose, The Thaw, And The Beasts: 6

2010: I'm On Fire / Perfect Grace EP: 12

2016: Skylarking (Steven Wilson Mix): 2

2020: The Prettiest Curse: 14

2023: The Wicker Man EP: 9

Burn Baby Burn (59:13) (KF) (Mega)

A Gazillion Brazillians

Today's selection flies the flag for Fila Brazillia aka Dave McSherry & Steve Cobby. 

The duo began to record under that name in 1990 but I think it was probably the mid-90s when I particularly became aware of Fila Brazillia via two tracks: their own song A Zed And Two L's and a remix of Cotton Wool by Lamb, which I featured here last month.

 

This selection focuses exclusively on Fila Brazillia's remix work from the late 1990s to early 2000s, a 45 minute ride taking in The Irresistible Force, King Louis, Lypid, Unitone and UNKLE. There's another great remix of a Lamb track, unreleased at the time in 1996 but which surfaced online circa 2015. The pair also bravely take on a Simple Minds classic. The original of Theme For Great Cities is unbeatable but I like what they've done, increasing the tempo but retaining enough of what makes the song so special. Busta Rhymes also gets Brazillified, the first of what turned out to be (at least) four remixes of Do My Thing across multiple releases. Kids warning on the latter, as Monsieur Rhymes is characteristically potty mouthed throughout.

 

One thing you can depend on Fila Brazillia for is bringing an irresistible groove to the party and they do not disappoint on any of the eight remixes featured here. I'll be playing this loud today to counter the midweek slump with some midweek funk. Bring it on!

 

If that's not enough Fila Brazillia for you, the boys have kindly obliged by making a large chunk of their back catalogue available on Bandcamp.

 

Today's selection was inspired by and is dedicated to the multi-talented John Medd. Thanks, John!

 

1) Nepalese Fish Dances (Remix By Fila Brazillia): The Irresistible Force (1999)

2) The Sign's Alive (Fila Brazillia Dub Mix): Lypid (2000)

3) Theme For Great Cities (Fila Brazillia Remix) (Full Length): Simple Minds (1998)

4) Berry Meditation (Fila Brazillia Mix): UNKLE (1997)

5) Do My Thing (Fila Brazillia Mix 1): Busta Rhymes (1996)

6) Dag Nabbit (Fila Brazillia Remix): Unitone (2000)

7) Lusty (Fila Brazillia Mix) (unreleased): Lamb (1996)

8) Paraplegic Soul (Fila Brazillia Remix): King Louis (2003)

 

1997: Do My Thing EP: 5

1998: Glitterball EP: 3 

1999: Brazilification: Remixes 95-99: 4

1999: Fish Dances: 1

2000: Fresh Diggings From The Claypit EP: 6

2000: The Sign's Alive EP: 2 

2003: Fila Brazillia: B2: 8

2015: Lusty (promo MP3): 7

 

A Gazillion Brazillians (45:38) (GD) (M)

You Got Music In Your Step

Hello Lamb aka Louise Rhodes and Andy Barlow. A return to my very infrequent recreation of gig setlists, this time with a mystery to solve.

I saw Lamb live in concert for the first and only time at the Trinity Centre in Bristol with my friend Dave, possibly also with our work colleague Cath, not sure. It was definitely touring Fear Of Fours, so it was either 1999 or 2000. The support act - and, I'll be honest, the real reason I was there - was Smith & Mighty playing a full band set to promote their album Big World Small World, which was promoted in 1999 but not formally released until January 2000.

Unfortunately, I've lost the ticket and trawling the internet hasn't brought up any information on when the gig actually took place. As far as I can tell, Lamb did a few dates in the UK circa May 1999 whilst 2000 was mainly festivals or overseas gigs. So, I'm going to have a stab in the dark and say that the gig I went to was mid to late 1999. If anyone out there was there or can shed any light on the actual dates, I'll be very grateful!

I was a big fan of "The Bristol Sound" (biased, being as it was my birthplace), trip hop and drum and bass in general, but I couldn't quite get into Lamb's music at first. I loved debut single Cotton Wool, though the standout was A Guy Called Gerald's remix and their choice of remixers for the follow up singles was impeccable. 

Something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but it was almost a feeling that Lamb were trying too hard to be cool. Completely my own response but it put me off getting the first album and embracing their music.

Earlier in 1999, my friend Stuart and I went to New York for a short holiday. It was last minute change of plan: we'd originally been planning to go to Reykjavík, with probably some romantic notion of walking the streets of Björk's birthplace. The only snag was it was way out of our budget. Conversely, New York was ridiculously affordable, not least because I only booked accommodation for the first couple of nights and thought we'd wing it for the rest.

 

I won't retell the story of our NYC trip, which I partly touched on in my recreation of the Blondie gig we went to whilst there and the rest of which is best saved for another post. Getting back to the point of this post though, we did a bit of record shopping in New York and one of the CDs that Stuart picked up was Fear Of Fours. It was regularly played for the rest of the holiday and was the turning point in my appreciation of Lamb.

 

So, whilst they weren't the primary reason for my visit to the Trinity that night, I was more disposed to like Lamb than I had been previously. My vague memory is that Smith & Mighty were unbeatable, but Lamb acquitted themselves pretty well. I've never seen them live in concert since but I would be tempted if Lamb roll into a local venue in future. Their last album was released in 2019, so there is hope.

 

So, in the absence of any gig info whatsoever, I've gone for a composite of three gigs performed in 1999 with very minor variations in songs and running order. Unsurprisingly, the setlist draws heavily on Fear Of Fours, so I've swapped out several album versions with remixes by sympathetic acts such as Klute, The Herbaliser, Fila Brazillia, Rae & Christian and Mr. Scruff.

 

1) Soft Mistake (1999)

2) Little Things (Klute Mix) (1999)

3) B Line (Herbaliser Mix) (1999)

4) Lusty (Album Version) (1996)

5) Cotton Wool (Fila Brazillia Mix - Alternative Version) (1996)

6) All In Your Hands (Rae & Christian Remix) (1999)

7) Ear Parcel (1999)

8) Alien (Album Version) (1999)

9) Softly (Radio Mix) (1999)

10) Fly (1999)

11) Gold (Mr. Scruff Mix) (1996)

12) Górecki (Album Version) (1996)

 

1996: Gold EP: 11

1996: Lamb: 4, 12

1997: Vrooom! Motorcycle Loveliness (Select magazine promo CD): 5

1999: All In Your Hands EP: 2, 6

1999: B Line EP: 3

1999: Fear Of Fours: 1, 7, 8, 10

1999: Softly EP: 9

Music In Your Step (1:05:17) (Box) (Mega)

Take The Time To Smile!

I had a day off on Tuesday and made my first trip to Bristol in around three years. Much has changed. 

I spent most of the time in the vicinity of The Arches in Gloucester Road, with two essential visits: KBK Shoes, to buy a new pair of Dr. Martens, and a couple of hours' music truffling in Plastic Wax Records. 

I usually focus on the vinyl but this time - and purely practical reasons - I went for shiny plastic disc only. I ended up with 10 for £10, which is admittedly a far cry from Charity Chic's expert mining of charity shop gems, but I came away with some unexpected and delightful finds.

Actually, my total haul was 11 CDs as I just couldn't whittle it down any further. In fact, it was due to be 12, but some git had nicked the CD of Understated by Edwyn Collins, so I regretfully had to leave it behind. 

Still, much to dive into over the coming weeks, including a lovely hardback edition of Craig Armstrong's Piano Works, a Moloko best of with bonus live in concert CD, Dave Formula's solo album (including a lounge-y version of Parade by Magazine featuring David McAlmont...it's growing on me). to name but a few.

 

Today's selection features a track from each purchase.

 

1) Heatmiser 2 (Cover of Massive Attack): Craig Armstrong (2004)

2) What Sound (Album Version): Lamb (2002)

3) I Left My Tart In Sad Franks Disco: Groove Corporation ft. Bobby Blue & Dubby Galespy (2002)

4) 1971: Freddy Fresh (1999)

5) Rebel Heart: Roots Manuva (2005)

6) Cannot Contain This (Radio Edit): Moloko (2003)

7) Goodbye To The Country: Field Music (2018)

8) Rise And Fall (DJ Krush Mix By Ishi Hideaki): Galliano (1994)

9) Neon: The Knife (2001)

10) Via Sacra: Dave Formula ft. Howard Devoto (2010)

11) Tonight The Streets Are Ours: Richard Hawley (2007)

 

1994: A Thicker Plot: 8

1999: The Last True Family Man: 4

2001: The Knife: 9

2002: Dub Plates From The Elephant House Volume Two: 3

2002: What Sound (limited edition 2x CD): 2

2004: Piano Works: 1

2005: Awfully Deep: 5

2006: Catalogue/Value-Pak (limited edition 2x CD): 6

2007: Lady's Bridge: 11

2010: Satellite Sweetheart: 10

2018: Open Here: 7

Take The Time To Smile! (41:25) 

Been Tryin' Hard Not To Get Into Trouble

Listening to 4 Hero's remix of Nuyorican Soul sidestepped me into Photek's remix of 4 Hero and so to today's selection. Rupert Parkes began releasing music under numerous aliases in the early 1990s, Photek emerging in 1994 and being the most enduring of these, still in use today. Part of the hideously named genre, intelligent drum and bass, like his contemporaries Roni Size, LTJ Bukem and Goldie, what really appealed to me was the complex rhythms and jazz inflections. As a nod to the latter, a track on Photek's debut album, KJZ, was an acronym for Kirk's Jazz. By the start of the 21st Century, Photek's sound had taken a turn into house and techno, though as this selection highlights, there is an identity and character linking all of Photek's music. I've lost track in the last few years, and I have read that Parkes has subsequently produced music for films, TV and games, his last album release being the soundtrack to EA Games' Need For Speed in 2016.

 

For this selection, I've focused solely on Photek's remixes for other artists. It's great to listen to these in one go, personal favourites being Loose by Therapy?, Destiny by Zero 7, I Miss You by Björk and the one that started this all, Star Chasers by 4 Hero. The remix of Paul Simon was a welcome return in 2018 and one of the few redeeming tracks on the otherwise questionable Graceland: The Remixes album. I hadn't heard Photek's remix of The Faint in 5 years and it struck how well it would sit in a mixtape next to songs from John Grant's latest album, Boy From Michigan, particularly The Rusty Bull or Your Portfolio. And how else to end but with Single by Everything But The Girl? The original version is sublime; Photek's remix provides a similar shiver down the spine. Twenty five years old and still sounding like it could be out right now.

1) The Lonely Night (Photek Remix): Moby ft. Mark Lanegan & Mindy Jones (2013)

2) Destiny (Photek Remix): Zero 7 ft. Sia & Sophie Barker (2001)

3) Alien (Photek Remix): Lamb (1999)

4) Total Job (Remixed By Photek): The Faint (2003)

5) Loose (Photek Remix): Therapy? (1995)

6) Ride (Photek B21 Edit): Lana Del Rey (2012)

7) Lie Down In Darkness (Photek Remix): Moby (2011)

8) All Around The World Or The Myth Of Fingerprints (Photek Remix): Paul Simon (2018)

9) I Miss You (Photek Mix): Björk (1996)

10) Star Chasers (Photek Remix): 4 Hero (1998)

11) Single (Photek Remix): Everything But The Girl (1996)

Been Tryin' Hard Not To Get Into Trouble (57:51)