Double Entrendre

or, How To Get Away With Two "25 From 25" Albums Lists Whilst Pretending That Wasn't Your Intention All Along.

Looking back on 2025 so far, I think I bought more albums than ever, a mix of physical and digital. The latter was ably supported by a further year's subscription to the excellent Last Night From Glasgow label, which accounts for about a quarter of today’s and tomorrow’s featured artists.

A few were purchased at merch stalls following a headline or support slot gig, others on the recommendation of others, including you lovely people out there in the blogging community.

So, I've got two lists, loosely separated into artists that I'm familiar with and already owned albums by, the second compiling artists who, regardless of whether they'd been around for ages or just started out, were new to me. So, it's a hodge podge of debut albums and artists that I really only delved into properly with their latest long player. I'm posting the first list today, the second on New Year's Eve.

There are a shed load that I just haven't got around to buying yet and I haven't yet succumbed to streaming so I can't sneak them in on the technicality of having heard them. Apologies therefore include Pulp, Syd Minsky Sargeant, Death In Vegas, Mogwai and Water From Your Eyes, all of whom have released albums that I want to get (and said as much in previous posts), but who remain on my shopping list.

An honourable mention also to those that I did buy but who didn't make onto either list because, well, I had to stop at 25, right? A tip of the hat then to Manic Street Preachers, The Supernaturals, Julian Cope, Gareth Sager and Scanner.

I've listed them alphabetically, rather than in order of greatness, but I may reveal my favourite at the end...if I can decide on one by the end of this post!

25 From 25 - Old Favourites

(click on the links to buy these albums...and more!)

1) Let The Horse Run Free / Rodeo Disco: 100 Poems

2) The Collapse Of Everything: Adrian Sherwood

3) Pinball Wanderer: Andy Bell

4) Dead Souls: Armory Show

5) Metalhorse / Mary And The Hyenas OST: Billy Nomates

6) Mumbo In The Jumbo: Davey Woodward

7) Wise Music In Dub: Dennis Bovell

8) Subconsciousology: Dot Allison

9) Lay Low: Eddie Chacon

10) Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation: Edwyn Collins

11) Rats In Paradise: Emily Breeze

12) Begging The Night To Take Hold: Emma Pollock

13) Twilight: Hifi Sean & David McAlmont

14) Songs For Nina And Johanna: James Yorkston & Friends

15) Junk System EP 1&2: Junk System

16) Lotus: Little Simz

17) New Town Ghosts: Mark Rae

18) Lake Deep Memory: Pye Corner Audio

19) Barb And Feather: Red Snapper

20) Strawberries: Robert Forster

21) International: Saint Etienne

22) MAD!: Sparks

23) Faultline: The Cowboy Mouth

24) moisturiser: Wet Leg

25) Home: Xan Tyler & Dusty Stray

I have loved each and every one of these albums but my #1 of 2025 has to be Billy Nomates.

Not just because Metalhorse is a fantastic album, taking her music to another level, but also because she somehow found the time to write, record and release another album. The soundtrack to Mary And The Hyenas may have been relatively overlooked compared to Metalhorse, but it's every bit an equal. Astonishing to think that Tor Maries was also releasing one-off songs in between both of these. 

Finally getting to see Billy Nomates live in concert for the first time in September, with an excellent band and songs that took on a life of their own on stage, was an unforgettable experience and the push over the line to secure my #1 in a year of varied but brilliant albums.

Concert Climax

From a gig perspective, 2025 was fantastic. Here are my lucky 13 of the year:

1st Feb: John Grant / Big Special

6th Mar: Alan Sparhawk / Circuit Des Yeux

22nd Apr: Mark Eitzel

13th May: Andy Bell (Erasure) / Hifi Sean & David McAlmont

9th Jun: Little Simz

11th Jun: Butler, Blake & Grant / Charlie Noordewier

9th Jul: Josh Rouse / Later Youth

24th Sep: Billy Nomates / Cirquemily (Emily Sadler)

30th Sep: Edwyn Collins / The Hanging Stars

10th Oct: Robert Forster & His Swedish Band

18th Nov: Water From Your Eyes / Morgan Garrett

24th Nov: The Sabres Of Paradise

8th Dec: The Charlatans

Click on the links to read all about my experiences. I've not reactivated any of the related Dubhed selections on this occasion, instead opting for a brand new 20-song session.

Sequenced in chronological order of when I saw them, the whole thing kicks off with Shithouse by Big Special, who set the bar impossibly high for all the support acts to follow, though pretty much all of them rose to the challenge. Charlie Noordewier and Later Youth were especially good. 

As for the headliners, John Grant, Hifi Sean & David McAlmont, Billy Nomates and Robert Forster were on my wish list for a long time, whilst Mark Eitzel, Andy Bell and Little Simz were completely unexpected and completely brilliant.

Bernard Butler, Norman Blake, James Grant and Josh Rouse sold me their vinyl at the merch stand, signed it for me and proved to be lovely blokes to chat with.

Water From Your Eyes were a revelation. Speaking of which, Edwyn Collins brought tears to my eyes, as did Alan Sparhawk. And the previously unimaginable thought of seeing The Sabres Of Paradise reform and play live was hugely emotional. 

Another first to end the year, with an exceptional show from The Charlatans. 

I already have a clutch of tickets for 2026 and, if this year is anything to go by, it's going to be bloody brilliant.

1) Shithouse: Big Special (2024)

2) Black Belt (Dungeonesse Remix By Jenn Wasner): John Grant (2013)

3) Megaloner: Circuit Des Yeux (2025)

4) Can U Hear: Alan Sparhawk (2024)

5) Nothing And Everything: Mark Eitzel (2017)

6) Celebrate: Hifi Sean & David McAlmont (2024)

7) Put Your Empathy On Ice: Andy Bell (Erasure)

8) Lion: Little Simz ft. Obongjayar (2025)

9) Dear Diazepam (Live At Deep Litter Studios, Devon): Charlie Noordewier (2025)

10) The 90s: Butler, Blake & Grant (2025)

11) Arcane Love: Later Youth (2025)

12) My Love Has Gone: Josh Rouse (2005)

13) Moon Explodes: Billy Nomates (2025)

14) Ava: The Hanging Stars (2025)

15) Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation: Edwyn Collins (2025)

16) Good To Cry: Robert Forster (2025)

17) The Mirror: Morgan Garrett (2025)

18) Playing Classics: Water From Your Eyes (2025)

19) Wilmot (Edit): The Sabres Of Paradise ft. Wonder (1994)

20) For The Girls: The Charlatans (2025)

Concert Climax (1:19:12) (GD) (M)

Sometimes I Might Be Intimate

An hour of Little Simz, celebrating new album Lotus, which came out on 6th June.

For a lucky few, Little Simz played an intimate PA live performance in Bristol on 9th June.

When I say "few", i's a measure of Little Simz' hard earned and well deserved success that these days, an "intimate" performance is playing to several thousand people in a coverted warehouse along the Feeder Canal, a few miles from the city centre.

And not just one performance, but two: a matinee and an evening show.

And this wasn't just any old PA, this was a full on hour of performing on stage (and, at one point, in the crowd), an 18-song set that included a generous dip into crowd pleasers and deep cuts.

Little Simz doesn't need a full band, visuals and pyrotechnics, she had the audience in the palm of her hand, though it's fair to say that everyone was up for it from the start. I mean, really up for it. 

Little Simz is the most exciting, authentic, honest, humble, generous artist around today.

And Lotus is a(nother) bloody brilliant album from a rapper at the top of their game.

For no other reason than mild curiosity, I decided to follow the steps of my blogging compadres and play around with ChatGPT for this one.

I asked for an AI review as a rap, written by a 16-year old Bristolian and this is what it came up with. It's pretty bad, but some of the groaningly awkward rhymes made me chuckle. 

It's not lost on me however that it was all done in a split second, whilst this ham-fisted blogger spent considerably more time just copying, pasting and formatting the very same into this post...

See if you can spot where Artificial Intelligence mistook Little Simz for The Sims. Oh, the irony.

Yo, check it, yo, yo

Little Simz dropped that Lotus on the 6th of June,

Had the whole scene buzzin’, that album a monsoon,

But Bristol got lucky, 9th June, real tight,

Simz hit the stage, man, the vibe was so right.

She ain't just playin', nah, she’s puttin' in work,

Two shows, one matinee, one night time perk

Crowd was massive, but still felt like it’s close,

A few thousand deep, but she got that vibe that’s so dope.

It ain't no regular PA, she brought the heat,

An hour on stage, she got the crowd on their feet,

Premiere Lotus, half the album in the set,

18 tracks deep, no cap, you ain't forget.

She don’t need no band, no fancy lights,

Just the mic in her hand, and she killed that night,

Thief and Flood, they came with mad energy,

Audience locked in, full of raw synergy.

She went back to the classics, don’t forget,

Two Worlds Apart, Point And Kill, no sweat,

Woman hit hard, crowd was feelin' the flow,

Simz got them vibin’ everywhere she go.

Drop 7 EP, yeah, she brought that too,

Grey Area was in the mix, Venom got ’em wild, dude,

Crowd was hype, no dips in the vibe,

Simz kept it real, got the crowd so alive.

She's authentic, humble, that’s the truth,

No gimmicks, just real talk from the booth,

Lotus the album, another banger she made,

Simz at the top, she don’t need no parade.

She a queen in the game, no one do it like this,

Every line she spits, man, it's pure bliss.

Bristol knows what's up, they saw it firsthand,

Simz takin’ over, this the rise of the fam.

Today's Dubhed selection recreates the 18-song set from the Bristol PA. Seven songs from Lotus, which I have, and four from the Drop 7 EP, which I don't. For the latter, I've swapped out with a trio of bootleg remixes, plus a live performance from Glastonbury.  

For the trio of tracks from Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, I've included just one studio original, the other two performed live for the BBC. The rest are taken from their respective digital releases. Being Little Simz, all of them are brilliant.

1) Thief (2025)

2) Flood (ft. Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly) (2025)

3) Two Worlds Apart (Album Version ft. Cleo Sol) (2021)

4) Young (2025)

5) 101 FM (2019)

6) Venom (Album Version) (2019)

7) Mood Swings (IsGwan Edit By Isaac Walker) (2024)

8) Torch (Next To Blue & canary yellow Edit By Tim Gouin & Canary Mark) (2024)

9) Fever (Bad Friends Flip) (Remix By Noah Tate & Hugo Shaw) (2024)

10) S.O.S. (Live @ Glastonbury Festival ft. Jakwob) (2024)

11) Only (ft. Lydia Kitto) (2025)

12) Lion (ft. Obongjayar) (2025)

13) Point And Kill (Live Lounge Session ft. Obongjayar) (2021)

14) Free (2025)

15) Lonely (2025)

16) Selfish (ft. Cleo Sol) (2019)

17) Woman (Live @ Later... With Jools Holland, BBC TV) (2021)

18) Gorilla (2022)

2019: GREY Area: 5, 6, 16

2021: Later... With Jools Holland EP (bootleg MP3): 17

2021: Live Lounge EP (BBC Radio 1, 13 September 2021) (bootleg MP3): 13

2021: Sometimes I Might Be Introvert: 3

2022: No Thank You: 18

2024: Fever EP: 9

2024: Little Simz Edit Pack EP: 8

2024: Live At Glastonbury 2024 (bootleg MP3): 10

2024: Whine & Stop / Mood Swings EP: 7

2025: Lotus: 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 14, 15

Sometimes I Might Be Intimate (59:50) (KF) (Mega)

Tryna' Keep Cool

Today I'm in the mood for rap, rhymes and beats. Spanning 1986 to 2023, ten blistering tracks covering old school greats, stone cold classics, genre-mashing, effing and jeffing and a chunk of words and music that I've only discovered in the last few years. And enough spare tape on the C90 to add your own favourites to the mixtape.

 

1) I Don't Know Nothin 'Bout Daisies: Definition Of Sound (1991)

2) Dedicated To The City (Album Version): Subsonic 2 (1991)

3) Moment Of Clarity: Jay-Z (2003)

4) Summer Nights: Statik ft. Tom Paddington, Ears & Scorcher (2007)

5) GOB (David Andrew Sitek Remix): Dels ft. Jack Davey (2011)

6) Bite Back: Algiers ft. Billy Woods & Backxwash (2023)

7) Kids...: A Tribe Called Quest ft. André 3000 (2016)

8) Rollin Stone (Live @ Mary Anne Hobbs, BBC 6Music): Little Simz (2021)

9) Paul Revere (Vocal) (Remix By Rick Rubin): Beastie Boys (1986)

10) Brain Washed Follower (Single Version): De La Soul (1989)

1986: It's The New Style EP: 9

1989: Me Myself And I EP: 10

1991: Include Me Out: 2

1991: Wear Your Love Like Heaven EP: 1

2003: The Black Album: 3

2007: Love Music, Hate Racism (NME promo CD+MP3): 4

2011: GOB EP: 5

2016: We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service: 7

2021: Live, Mary Anne Hobbs, BBC 6Music, 15 June 2021: 8

2023: Shook: 6

Tryna' Keep Cool (38:00) (KF) (Mega)

Rollin Stone (BBC6 'Clean' Version) by Little Simz

I was in São Paulo
Eatin' palm hearts and I couldn't believe my surroundings (no)
True, I got the Ends in me, listenin' to Headie
Gettin' gassed in the mountains (yeah)
No time for the thirst trap, I'm quenched
I drink from a different fountain (sip)
Hard food when I serve that
All these likkle fish get fried and your yam get pounded (pounded yam)

 

Mm, might be a brat for a bit 

Want my farm and I want my chicks
Want my suit tailored by Gucci
First-class to Shibuya for the sushi
Give me my cheques and give me my plaques
Want breakdowns and I want my stats, pronto (now, now)

 
Yеah, yeah, God flow
Make you wanna dance all day likе Alfonso (move your body)
Wanna talk about P's, wanna talk about wage, 

but can you do the job though? (can you?)
I can't vouch for a man that ain't got the talent and business combo (no)
It's all a sport, flow on archery, don't get hit with the crossbow

 

Stayed to myself, been true to the core (stay to myself, man, I stay to myself)
I was always the illest, there's never been no cure (no medication)
Callin' shots like I call in favours, facts (true)
My fellas got me if I ever need that

Still, there's things I'm faced with
Stormz' ain't lyin', man, these fools audacious (yeah)
Might demonstrate frustration
Tryna' keep cool, but I'm losin' patience (ayy)
Hmm, no cap, we hate snakes and we hate rats
You can have opinions, just don't mislead the youth in your raps 

(please, please, please, please, please)

 

Mummy handled business, Papa was a rollin' stone
I'm a mix of both, there ain't no snitch-boy in my bones
Coming for this dough like say it's pizza
You can't get in Italia, Fashion Week, huh
Shut down Milan down to Rome

Lookin' like the future, got you fearin' the unknown
I got stories regardin' your chick I won't disclose
Picture perfect, nothing picture perfect here, I know
All illusion, why the world confusing? I don't know

You can't diss me three-time, pull up behind, you'll never see I
I'm probably the reason why your bosses has had to resign
They all follow my step, read about me like I'm Eli
I just book a flight only to land and have some me-time
Let me be, I'm (let me be, I'm)
Takin' time out, hold my spot, go through your time now (hey)

 

Huh, pull up at your spot, they're throwin' roses at my feet, yeah, yeah
What do you mean? In the presence of a queen
Bad, say that she wanna know what's underneath
I could show you things in private, know I hate to cause a scene, yeah

Range black just to match the colour of my skin
Last year, pen was crazy, this year tougher with the ink (yeah)
Know the people miss me, they like, "Where the hell you been?" (yeah)
Counted all my losses, manifested all my wins (yeah)

Can't believe it's Simbi here that's had you listenin'
Well, that chick for now, you didn't know she had a twin (yeah)
I've been in my zone, movin' lowkey in Berlin, ah
You can get the smoke, yeah yeah, das ist kein Problem, ah
Where do I begin? ah
You might just find out real soon, go through your time now

 

Rollin' stone
Rollin' stone
Rollin' stone
Rollin' stone

Not In The Business For Pretendin'

It's been far too long since I last featured Little Simz here. Her single Gorilla has been out for a couple of months; her album No Thank You was released digitally last December and physically in June this year. 

 

I'm now in the second half of September and starting to reflect on contenders for an end of year favourites list with the cold realisation that I've bought and listened to so much and there's still so much more great music out there, undiscovered and unheard. 

 

I loved Little Simz' previous album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert ("So what?" I hear you say, "so did everyone") and I've really no excuse for not yet buying No Thank You. All of the elements are there: razor sharp lyrics and delivery; superb production (again) from Inflo and another visually arresting video, directed by Dave Myers but with Simz' character all over it.

Time for me to catch up.

Peeping Through The Hole In My Soul

Spotted outside Gloucester Cathedral yesterday. The first two kind of have a logical connection, but the third? I mean, I can understand the conspiracy theories about the moon landings, but faking the whole of space? Was someone so incensed that poor Edwin Hubble has been consigned to the dusty basement of history now that there is a brand shiny new space telescope named after NASA Johnny-Come-Lately James Webb? These important questions and answers of the day should at least demand page 7 in the Gloucestershire Echo, surely?

 

On a completely unrelated note, today's selection is inspired by artists, tracks and themes featured in Dubhed's current Top 10 most popular posts. Where else would you find The Sisters Of Mercy and New Order shacking up with One Dove, David McAlmont and Little Simz?

 

1) Deadline For My Memories (Album Version): Electribe 101 (1992)

2) Long Train (12" Version): The Sisters Of Mercy (1984)

3) Paris (Cover of Friendly Fires): The Anchoress (2012)

4) Woman (Live @ Later... With Jools Holland): Little Simz (2021)

5) Paradise (Remix By Robert Racic & Nick Mainsbridge): New Order (1987)

6) Breakdown (Secret Knowledge Light Mix By Kris Needs): One Dove (1993)

7) Blind Vision (Album Version By John Luongo): Blancmange (1983)

8) Parade (Cover of Magazine): Dave Formula ft. David McAlmont (2010)

9) Half A World Away (Nicky Campbell Session): R.E.M. (1991)

10) This Woman's Work (Album Version): Kate Bush (1989)

1983: Mange Tout: 7

1984: Walk Away EP: 2

1987: True Faith EP (Australian 12" single): 5

1989: The Sensual World: 10

1993: Breakdown EP: 6 

2010: Satellite Sweetheart: 8

2012: Reprise: The Covers Collection: 3

2018: Best Of At The BBC: 9

2021: Woman EP: 4

2022: Electribal Soul (previously unreleased 1992 album): 1

 

Peeping Through The Hole In My Soul (52:45)

Now Here's A Little Something You May Not Like

Feels like a while since there's been a rap selection and, with Saturday's sunshine, shorts and smiles during the day replaced by torrential rain through the night, something a little less languid for a soggy Sunday seems in order.

A mixed bag, as ever, mostly 21st century, apart from a remix of Beastie Boys from 1999 that I couldn't resist including and which provides today's post title. A little bit of an alternative music crossover here and there, with Lethal Bizzle taking on The Ruts and The Black Keys masquerading as Blackroc, collaborating with Jim Jones.

There's the characteristic nod to my birthplace, care of local boy done good Tricky, and another track from one of my favourite albums so far this year, from Mr. Oizo (yes, really) and Phra aka Francesco Barbaglia from Crookers. 

I'll confess that I haven't listened deeply to the lyrics of all of the tracks featured here, so my apologies for any inappropriate cussing or questionable content.

1) Big 'n Bashy (Original Mix): Fallacy ft. Tubby T (2003)

2) Alive (B.R.A. Remix By Bentley Rhythm Ace): Beastie Boys (1999)

3) Sea Level: Little Simz ft. ALXA & Mick Jenkins (2015)

4) Bristol To London: Tricky ft. Blackman & Marlon Thaws (2010)

5) The City (Remix): Darwin Deez ft. DJ Hummus (2011)

6) Babylon's Burning The Ghetto: Lethal Bizzle (2007)

7) Flip Flop Rock: Outkast ft. Killer Mike & Jay-Z (2003)

8) Queen Of Hearts: The Black Opera ft. Mayer Hawthorne (2012)

9) What It Look Like (Pocketknife's Poppinspiel The Glockenspiel Remix): Spank Rock (2007)

10) Rumbling: Young Fathers (2011)

11) Un Attimo (Album Version): Mr. Oizo & Phra (2022)

12) Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo): Blakroc ft. Mos Def & Jim Jones (2009)

13) Ghetto Pop Life (Album Version): Danger Mouse & Jemini (2003)

1999: Alive EP: 2

2003: Blackmarket Boy: 1

2003: Ghetto Pop Life: 13

2003: Speakerboxxx: 7

2007: Back To Bizznizz: 6

2007: What It Look Like EP: 9

2009: Blakroc: 12

2010: Mixed Race: 4 

2011: Tape One EP: 10

2011: Wonky Beats: 5

2012: Libretto: Of King Legend: 8

2015: Age 101: Drop X EP: 3

2022: Voilá: 11

Now Here's A Little Something You May Not Like (46:12)

SAULT II Sol

I can't think of a better way to celebrate Sunday than with the sweet sounds of Cleo Sol. 

 

This started off as a potential Imaginary Compilation Album for The Vinyl Villain, so you'll find the 10-song selection at the end of this post has been split into two sides, as per the ICA format. However, this seemed like absolutely the right post for today. In truth, there's an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Cleo Sol's music, so I could easily come up with another ICA without repeating a single track from today's selection.

 

Late as ever to the party, I discovered her voice last year via another belated introduction to the incredible albums by SAULT. Well, allegedly, as the mysterious collective headed by producer Inflo aka Dean Josiah Cover don't actually credit Cleo (or any other collaborators, for that matter) on their five albums to date. 

However, Cleo does make credited appearances on tracks by Little Simz (also produced by Inflo), including Woman, one of many standouts from last year's Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. 

Both Little Simz and SAULT featured in my favourite albums of 2021 posts. Had I got my act together and bought them sooner, Cleo's two solo albums - Rose In The Dark (2020) and Mother (2021) - would surely have been in the respective year's lists. As it is, I only purchased both of them earlier this month and they've been on regular circulation ever since. Better late than never, I guess. 

I've since discovered that there are two phases to Cleo Sol's music career. The current phase started in 2018 with the Winter Songs EP. Cleo performed the song Why Don't You for COLORS just over three years ago and it's a thing of understated beauty, both in voice and performance.

 

Why Don't You (A COLORS Show): Cleo Sol (2018)

 

Cleo followed up with a couple of singles in 2019, One and Sweet Blue. Unlike Why Don't You, neither made it onto her debut album, more a comment on the sheer quality of the songs that she had amassed for selection by 2020.

 

Sweet Blue: Cleo Sol (2019)

 

Cleo Sol previously released music between 2008 and 2012, initially guesting on singles by Tinie Tempah and DaVinche, this 'first phase' much more poppy in nature. Great summery sounds if a little by-the-numbers, to be honest, as evidenced by debut solo single High.

High (Remix): Cleo Sol ft. Gappy Ranks (2011) 

For the follow up single in 2012, Never The Right Time (Who Do You Love), Cleo went full-on Beyoncé. Again, a really catchy, slickly-produced song that should've been a hit but with a sense that there wasn't a real understanding of Cleo's full potential.

 

Never The Right Time (Who Do You Love): Cleo Sol (2012)

 

During a 5-year break from releasing music, Cleo connected with Inflo, and the sheer volume of music that's come from this collaboration, whether with SAULT, guesting with Little Simz or on her two solo albums is astonishing in it's breadth and quality. There's a depth and maturity in Cleo's voice and songwriting, enhanced by a sympathetic producer at the top of his game. No surprise that Adele turned to Inflo for a few songs on her latest album. I have little to no interest in Adele, to be honest, and in a fair world, Cleo Sol would similarly be shifting record-breaking numbers of her albums too.

 

So, make a drink, sit back, enjoy the sunshine and immerse yourself in the sounds of Cleo Sol. Just don't forget to buy her music afterwards, you won't regret it.   

By coincidence, after completing this post, I discovered that it's Cleo's birthday on 24th March. Many happy returns!

 

Side One

1) Sunshine: Cleo Sol (2021)

2) Free: SAULT (2020)

3) Wildfires: SAULT (2020)

4) Don't Let It Go To Your Head: Cleo Sol (2021)

5) Light's In Your Hands: SAULT (2021)

Side Two

1) When I'm In Your Arms: Cleo Sol (2020)

2) No Bullshit: SAULT (2019)

3) Protect My Energy: Little Simz (2021)

4) Rewind: Cleo Sol (2020)

5) We Need You: Cleo Sol (2021)

 

Side One (22:17) (KF) (Mega)

Side Two (22:08) (KF) (Mega)

 

Parental advisory: some cussing and blinding, particularly on Side Two. 

Cleo Sol on Soundcloud

Buy Cleo Sol and SAULT on Bandcamp

Insanity By One Man Jury

Beats and rhymes for these uncertain times.

 

With apologies for the potty mouth language throughout.

 

1) War: Chuck D vs. Ticc-Tacc ft. Ambersunshower (1998)

2) Appetite For Destruction: N.W.A. (1991)

3) Woman: Little Simz ft. Cleo Sol (2021)

4) Now Is Tomorrow (Shabba Soul Mix By Donwon & Rimsky Korsokov IV): Definition Of Sound (1991)

5) Mankind (Part 2): Jalal (1993)

6) Spectacular (Kaos Remix By Tucker): Fantastic Plastic Machine ft. Verbal & Afra (2003)

7) Sylvie: Mr. Oizo & Phra ft. Frah Quintale (2022)

8) Females (Get On Up) (12" Edit By The Beatmasters): The Cookie Crew (1987)

9) Another Sound Mission (Mystic Handyman Pt 2) (Single Version By Green Gartside, David Gamson & DJ Revolution): Scritti Politti & Likwit Crew ft. Defari & Tash (1999)

10) California Über Alles (Album Version) (Cover of Dead Kennedys): The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy (1992)

11) Ain't The Devil Happy (Tiny Desk (Home) Concert): Jeru The Damaja (2020)

12) Pink Matter (Remix): Frank Ocean ft. Andre 3000 & Big Boi (2013)

13) Make My: The Roots (2011)
 

Insanity By One Man Jury (56:14)

International Women's Day

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias 

 

Woman: Little Simz ft. Cleo Sol (2021)

Don't Get Stuck In The Past

Today's 2021 retrospective highlights some great remixes from various singles and albums. The post title is the opening line of track 1, but also slightly tongue-in-cheek: a quick glance at the track listing and it's like an old school reunion, with Soulwax, Darren Emerson, Mark Ronson, UNKLE, Groove Armada and - bloody hell! - Kris Needs. My other challenge was avoiding making this a Hardway Bros. 'best of 2021'. Sean Johnston has delivered so many fantastic remixes, several of which have featured in previous posts; for this selection, I managed to whittle it down to two. Also making two appearances is Jesse Fahnestock: remixing Spacemen 3 as 10:40 in April, which led me to many more subsequent Bandcamp purchases, and November's single Thrill Me, as Jezebell (Fahnestock & Darren Bell), which includes a suitably whacko retro sample. This is barely scratching the surface, and I've a long list of this year's music that I still want to get, as 2022 and even more new sounds approach.

 

1) A Hero's Death (Soulwax Remix): Fontaines D.C.

2) That Time Of Night (Darren Emerson Remix): GLOK ft. Shiarra

3) Sail We Must (Hardway Bros Remix): Wet Signals

4) Thrill Me (Darren Darko Mix): Jezebell

5) Flying Tiger (The Mole's Slower Remix By Colin De La Plante): Dreems

6) New Love Cassette (Mark Ronson Remix): Angel Olsen

7) Hegel Dialect (UNKLE Reconstruction): Krust

8) They're In Our Head (Kampong Glam Mix): Rude Audio

9) First Class Bitch (Groove Armada's Confidence Trick Remix): Confidence Man

10) Point And Kill / Fear No Man (mindtrix music Remix): Little Simz ft. Obongjayar

11) Walking In The Sun (James Bright Remix): Andres Y Xavi ft. Rolo McGinty

12) Obey (Hardway Bros Stereo Odyssey Mix): Rheinzand

13) Love Comes In Waves (Pye Corner Audio Remix): Andy Bell

14) Weekend (The Judas Triangle) (Dom Beken & Kris Needs Remix): The Orb

15) How Does it Feel? (10:40's Terrace Moonshine Dub) (Remix By Jesse Fahnestock): Spacemen 3

Don't Get Stuck In The Past (1:39:08)

 

A note on yesterday's post: track-by-track comments still to come. Early visitors may have noticed that I dropped Show Your Face by The Anchoress into the mix for a second consecutive day. Oops! That was a mistake: much as I love the song, it was supposed to be Let It Hurt instead, but in my half-awake state I pulled the wrong track. After a shower and a strong coffee, I've corrected and replaced the selection and link. Slipshod DJ licence currently under review and may be revoked.

Fear No Evil, Fear No Person, Fear No Spirit, Fear Nobody

Today's selection highlights 10 of my favourite albums from 2021. They're not ranked or scored, simply listed by the order that I sequenced the tracks for this playlist. This was initially a 'draft' post: due to life and stuff, I ran out of time to add comments on why I like these albums so much, but in a Christmas Eve update, here are my 10:

All Of Us: 10:40

My entry point was in Bagging Area in April, via the re-edit of Spacemen 3's How Does It Feel?, which inevitably led to Bandcamp, both the excellent Paisley Dark label and 10:40's debut album. The latter is almost an hour of dub-influenced beats and ambient washes, with hints of vocals threaded throughout. It was just the beginning of what has been a prolific year for Jesse Fahnestock, not only with 10:40 but with Emilia Harmony as Electric Blue Vision and Darren Bell as Jezebell. I'm looking forward to what comes next in 2022.

 

Catastrophe Hits: Broken Chanter

A pre-release recommendation by The Vinyl Villain in October, I bought the CD on spec and I wasn't disappointed. JC writes far more eloquently about the album than I can and closes his review with the comment that Catastrophe Hits "could well be the musical equivalent of the vaccination programme. Overdue, much needed, and a real shot in the arm." I won't argue with that.

 

Flock: Jane Weaver

I had a few songs here and there, but Flock was the first full album purchase I made. From what I can gather this is Jane's most overtly pop-oriented album to date and yes, it's choc-full of hooks, but with characteristic psych/prog/motorik undertones. Heartlow sets the tone and it flows seamlessly from there, 10 songs in 44 minutes. It's hard to pick a favourite, even from the singles, but Sunset Dreams deserves a special mention.

 

'NINE': SAULT

I'm often late to the party and, whilst I'd read about the mysterious collective led by Dean Josiah Cover aka Inflo, it was their drop of 'NINE' as a limited, 99-day release that prompted me to buy this and their entire album back catalogue in one fell swoop. SAULT's first album, 5, came out in May 2019; by June 2021, they were on album number 5, including two doubles. What's incredible is that this is definitely not a case of quantity over quality. Whether played as full albums or random shuffle playlists, SAULT's music is astonishing.

 

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert: Little Simz

Inflo was at the controls for what has turned out to be one of the year's highlights, also the fifth offering from Simbiatu Ajikawo aka Little Simz. I was aware of her and quite liked what I'd heard, but it was The Robster's post on Is This The Life? as part of his 50th birthday celebration in July that hooked me, with the stunning Introvert. I pre-ordered the album and it's one of those rare new releases that exceeds the hype and expectation. It's best listened to as a whole, the received pronunciation of guest narrator Emma Corrin can sometimes be a bit grating in isolation, but makes perfect sense as a full work. The breadth of influences and styles is breath-taking and the overarching personal narrative sets Little Simz as a unique and compelling voice.

 

Boy From Michigan: John Grant

I'm biased: I have loved every album that John Grant has released since Queen Of Denmark; I've probably said this before each time too, but this is arguably his best album to date. I guess a lot will rest on whether you have shared Grant's love of and commitment to electronica or wish he would return more fully to the Midlake-supported  70s sounds of his solo debut - I'm firmly in the former camp. Collaborating with Cate Le Bon on production was an inspired move. The Only Baby was an acutely well-timed lead single back in January and the quality of the album doesn't falter. It's a long album - 12 songs in 75 minutes - but never overstays it's welcome.

 

Animal: LUMP

Laura Marling and Mike Lindsay's second collaboration as LUMP wasn't something I'd assumed would happen, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover the lead single and title track back in May. I predicted back then that the forthcoming album would be a personal favourite of this year and here it is. Marling's lyrics are as sharp as ever: first track Bloom At Night opens with  

I heard a word that they paint mirrors on their face
And soon forget that they reflect but don’t create

 

and final song Phantom Limb closes with Marling reciting the album's production credits. She maintains a slightly distanced, emotionless tone throughout the album, juxtaposed with earthy, organic sounds, which provides a compelling tension.

 

The Art Of Losing: The Anchoress

Catherine Anne Davies' collaboration with Bernard Butler, In Memory Of My Feelings, was a 2020 highlight, which prompted me to purchase her 2nd album as The Anchoress in March, and her debut album a month or so later. It's a classic album in the sense of it's song structures, full of melodic and lyrical hooks. I had hoped to see The Anchoress supporting Manic Street Preachers live in concert in October. Unfortunately, Catherine had to withdraw from live commitments on health grounds due to the pandemic. In the end, I also had to pull out of going to the Manics gig (although that had a happier ending, with the ticket going to a good home). Pandemic permitting, The Anchoress will be on a solo tour in 2022 and I hope to experience these songs performed on stage. I think it'll be awesome.

 

Clarion Call: Xan Tyler & Mad Professor

When putting together posts for this blog, I'll often pick up on a song randomly or one that's perhaps languishing in my "haven't played for years" list and this can often lead me down a rabbit hole, discovering other music by the same artist. And so it was with Xan Tyler. Twenty years on from a previous collaboration with Mad Professor, July saw a new album Clarion Call, which I discovered in October as part of my research for the aforementioned post. It's been on repeated plays since and it's a wonderful mix of emotionally charged lyrics and uplifting dub sounds. I frequently listen to opener Why Do You Lie and think it's a comment on the current government, particularly the lumpen oaf in charge.

 

De Película: The Limiñanas / Laurent Garnier

An obvious choice perhaps, but the music and video for Que Calor ! reach out and grab you by the shoulders, shaking off the malaise and compel you to groove (warning: less advisable if working at height and in charge of heavy machinery). The album itself is a wild, hour-long ride and, whilst it may be less ground-breaking than some of the other albums on this list, it's one that cried out for the repeat button as soon as the final track ends. Another album that I pre-ordered following a Bagging Area recommendation in May and was it worth the wait.

Here's one selection from each album, apart from the Little Simz two-hander, which deserves not to be separated:

1) The Forever Yes (Album Version): 10:40

2) Allow Yourself: Broken Chanter

3) Heartlow: Jane Weaver

4) Trap Life: SAULT

5) Point And Kill / Fear No Man (Album Version): Little Simz ft. Obongjayar

6) Your Portfolio: John Grant

7) Animal: LUMP

8) Let It Hurt: The Anchoress

9) Why Do You Lie: Xan Tyler & Mad Professor

10) Que Calor ! (Album Version): The Limiñanas / Laurent Garnier ft. Edi Pistolas

 

Fear No Evil, Fear No Person, Fear No Spirit, Fear Nobody (49:14)