Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Track Of The Day: Freddie Hubbard - Straight Life (CTI)


Coming from the same general direction as much of what Miles Davis released around the same period, but not quite as abstract; Freddie Hubbard’s ‘Straight Life’ is the title track from the 1971 album. Not as rock influenced as what Miles was putting out, but a no less important fusion release. The musical roll of honour on this recording is up there with the best, and this video, recorded in 1975 with members of Return To Forever, is every bit as incredible. There’s clearly a strong latin spine running through this composition giving free reign to Airto on percussion and Chick Corea on keys, solidly underpinned by Stanley Clarke and Lenny White on bass and drums respectively All coalescing to highlight Hubbard’s horn.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Track Of The Day: My Friend Dario - Storm (James Bright Remix) (Nunorthern Soul)


Something to get your weekend off to what I hope is a good start. The type of track that Loyd Grossman would definitely think “has a nautical theme”. A dense, maelstrom of music, (fortunately), with deep cosmic vibes, this track is very definitely a scene setter and the electronic victorian gothic soundtrack to long walks along deserted beaches, preferably when the weather is menacing. Which is lucky, as I’m off to Holkham later on today. Lovely stuff.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Loa Szala | HÖR - March 2 / 2024

Dietroiter DR090324

NI64 | Ultradyne

 

Track Of The Day: Oddworx - Sex And Non-Persons (Session Recordings)


One of the standout tracks from the Session Recordings oeuvre, whose linear bongoi beats crossed over into all manner of sets. It makes its presence felt on Terry Francis’ classic Essential Mix from 1998, as well as in the sets of Ricardo Villalobos which, according to Discogs, is responsible for pushing its price up. A great piece of minimal funk, the versatility of which marks it out as more than a dj tool. Shouts out to Steve and Lee for putting this one out.

Various Artists - [QR]D.081.TSM.24 (COD3 QR)

 


Title: [QR]D.081.TSM.24 

Artist: Various

Label: COD3 QR

Cat Number: QR D 081 TSM 24

Genre: House/Techno


1: DJ Deep – What’s Going On

2: Avision – Hold No Groove

3: Deetron – Pulse


Laurent Garner oversees COD3 QR, a label whose motto is “music diversity is our strength”. Thus far, most releases have been various artist EPs which have observed this, while not necessarily straying too far from each other as far as respective genres are concerned. And this is an example of one such collection, with the deep, tribal leanings of ‘ ‘What’s Going On’, coming up against the techno loops of ‘Hold No Groove’ and then the more urgent and layered ‘Pulse’. There is a definite sense of progression throughout this release, intentional or not, and the tracks individually are extremely well -realised. It’s classic stuff though, genre – wise, and falls more into the functional category than anything else, very much doing what it says on the tin. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

018 - Craig Richards - Recorded live from Fabric

 

Track Of The Day: Paperclip People - The Climax (Re-worked) (Open)


One of the classics from Detroit that throws a curveball in amongst a lot of expectations and, in the process, comes to summarise what can only be described as a distillation of the whole house and disco experience. Carl Craig really was a unique producer and the brains behind so many key compositions. He had, arguably, already gone through his most fruitfully innovative period before this tune came out, by which time he was still only 25! Of course there were many more to come. However, it’s difficult to top this for sheer invention. All the disparate elements fall together like cards being shuffled. The bongoes, the guitar stabs, the kick, the bass, and the floating, gossamer light synth. Perhaps one of the most recognisable motifs of this period of electronic dance music, getting its chance to really shine in this version for around three minutes from 10:32. Truly spellbinding stuff.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Recorded at Houghton - Red Axes (2023)

Unai Trotti - Live from Dimensions 23'

DIM300 - Laurine & Cecilio

Prosumer - Live From Dimensions 23'

DJ Stingray - Live From Dimensions 23'

DIM303 – Loa Szala

 

Track Of The Day: D Mob - We Call It Acieed feat. Gary Haisman (FFRR)


Is it right to call this a novelty track? Definitely maybe, but it was adopted by ravers at the time and has one of the most memorable hooks ever. Its success definitely came as a surprise, not least to London Records who only coughed up enough to pay for a 2 minute video, the longer version being made later. I remember this coming on TOTP and, while it wasn’t a ‘Starman’ moment, it was certainly an unforgettable one. It reached number 1 in the US Billboard Dance/Club Play chart, and peaked at 3 in the UK, probably helped along by the predictable BBC ban, as it was seen to be condoning drug use. There’s nothing in the lyrics to support this, however. Which puts the ban squarely in the hysterical overreaction box. Great for sales though.