Music Archive: July 2010
Various - Palenque Palenque (Sound Way)
A fascinating- and thoroughly enjoyable- insight into the development of Afro-Columbian music from the 1970s onwards. Beginning with a more traditional sound, referencing 17th Century Caribbean music, through to the introduction of the modern soundsystem, this compilation treats us to a bewildering selection of psychedlic, Afro, Latin rhythms which ended up having a massive influence of American and European dance music. A perfect release for a hot summer!
Hey O Hansen -We So Horny- Serious Pleasure Riddims (Pingipung)
As far as we're concerned, a smoky dub-skank with some jazzy electronic accompaniment is a pretty good soundtrack to a few relaxed drinks on a hot day. Less dubstep than previous Hey-O-Hansen releases (which we also loved), these three tracks draw comparisons to the futurist digidub of Jahtari and Disrupt. All very modern, all very German but with a distinct sense of fun.
Von Spar - TrOOps Remixes (Italic)
More electronic excellence from Germany. This time, however, it's a spot of stompin', glam disco courtesy of Cologne's Von Spar and with more than a little help from remixers Prince Language and office-favourite Rebolledo. Lush, swirling, rhythmic disco that could very make this one of the most significant releases of the month. We're sure you're going to love it.
Quadron - Quadron (Plug Research)
Over to Denmark now, and allow us to recommend the self-titled debut album by Danish two-piece Quadron. This is a slick, streamlined album of nu-electronic soul and is going to go down very well with fans of Mayer Hawthorne, Shafiq Husayn, synth-pop and Motown. An excellent release, and one that LA's Plug Research should be proud of.
The Ghost - War Kids (Sunday Best)
The Ghost, from the slightly-more-exotic Faroe Islands, play a charming mixture of dreamy indie-pop and vintage electro-pop. Clearly influenced by the Flaming Lips, but with a nod to the likes of Mika and Alphabeat, this debut album by Husky Rescue's label mates is quite likely (and deservedly) going to be one of the big sounds of this summer.
Mountain Man - Made the Harbor (Bella Union)
Even further afield now, to Vermont, USA. This strangley named all-female three piece specialise in acappella style songwriting, deeply embedded in the traditions of American folk and Appalachian music, only occasionally calling upon the use of an acoustic guitar for a little accompaniment. Despite these restrictions, these ladies have come up with an endlessly lovely record, and one that truely captures the sound of the great, vast outdoors of their home state.
Various - Milky Disco III (Lo Recordings)
The third in the impeccable Milky Disco series, and most certainly the one that ventures furthest into kosmiche/kraut and psychedlic disco-esque electronica. Tracks from the likes of Black Rebel Disco Club and Soft Rocks may sound familiar, Oneohtrix Point Never and Brassica perhaps less so, but rest assured that every track on this compilation is a modern masterpiece and the album is going to be riding high in the end-of-year polls.
David Karsten Daniels & Fight the Big Bull- I Mean to Live Here Still (Fat Cat)
Returning to Fat Cat, after a two-album break, songwriter Daniels this time brings with him a nine-piece jazz band. The usual introspective acoustics are replaced with adventerous brass arrangements which simultaneously compliment and sabotage the delicate work of Daniels. This goes down a treat, leaving us with tracks ranging from upbeat feel-good toe-tappers to wigged-out experimental Afro Jazz.