Saturday, October 10, 2026
Thursday, October 08, 2026
Track Of The Day: A Certain Ratio - I'd Like To See You Again (Factory)
Off to see A Certain Ratio at Dingwall’s tomorrow night after a 40 or so year break. Very much looking forward to it, so this feels appropriate. If only I’d known at the time that they were fusing Weather Report with Miami Vice. I’m not sure if they did tbh, but here we are. What is equally interesting nis how we all loved them, even though it was that little bit more different than what we were listening to. Everything moved in circles back then though. Funk was what kept things simple. We went to clubs in the early to mid eighties and no matter what night of the week, there would be something to latch on to. The eclecticism of those days isn’t coming back, at least not in quite the same way. Gatekeeping wasn’t a thing, thankfully.
Wednesday, October 07, 2026
Track Of The Day: That Petrol Emotion - Abandon (Boys Own Mix) (Virgin)
Named after the feeling that one gets when chucking a bottle full of burning fuel at some colonial authority figures, that Petrol Emotion never quite took over from Stiff Little Fingers as the political rock arbiters of Northern Ireland. They remain an interesting curio though. And this remix from A. Weatherall and Terry Farley is very much in keeping with the prevalent vibe of the day. This has the counter culture of its ties inscribed all over it. Indie dance with a very specific swagger.
Tuesday, October 06, 2026
Track Of The Day: Richer - Echoes From The Jungle ll (Voiceless)
A new name for me, and a new track too. I came across it the other day courtesy of a Jane Fitz & Carl H film on Instagram and I was feeling it immediately. Is it trance, techno, deep house? Who knows. Really good though. It doesn’t get ahead of itself so it retains a lot of atmosphere and mystique. If you’ve got a copy you want to sell, get in touch.
Monday, October 05, 2026
Track Of The Day: Sterac - Hydroxy (100% Pure)
This track stands out because it’s the only bit of electro on which is one of the al time classic techno albums. Sterac’s ‘The Secret Life Of Machines’ got a complete airing yesterday while I was prepping a barbecue and it’s safe to say that it’s aged very well. Nothing sounds dated. On the contrary, it holds up with the best of them. Mills, Hood and UR. How anyone could say anything negative about it is beyond me and, although electro is not what I would be listening to this album for, this is a well-executed track that fits with the albums aesthetic and is, therefore of its type, sonically unique.
Sunday, October 04, 2026
Track Of The Day: Can - Halleluhwah (United Artists)
I know next to nothing about Can, which is a shame and something I need to resolve. Where they influenced by Beefheart? Listening to this I’m reminded of some of the Captain’s proclivities. A tendency to go off on a tangent while religiously riding the groove. The sonic similarities are obvious to me even if the lyricism lacks whimsy. Brilliant though. Nuts to think that this was broadcast twenty six years after WWll. Twenty six years ago it was the beginning of a new century and I wonder to myself how far, if at all, music has progressed since then. The speed at which it did post-war Wass remarkable. Kids were listening to Bill haley less than twenty years previously. And calling that revolutionary. This is where, amongst other p-laces, it really took a quantum leap though.
Saturday, October 03, 2026
Track Of The Day: DJ Agitated - Let It Ride (Dolly)
This is from the ‘Dolly 15’ compilation, which came out last year, and is featured here because I picked it out of the digital pile, to mix into a piece of dub techno, the name of which escapes me. This isn’t dub techno but definitely works with it as it does have some sonic similarities. The echoes and shards of sound that fall like glacial curtains. It can give the impression of being a bit techno by numbers, but the production is excellent and very subtle. It’s got as many layers as an onion and more soul than your average looper, which it definitely isn’t. A very accomplished piece of work by DJ Agitated, who really shouldn’t be.
Track Of Yesterday: Donato Dozzy - Astro (Tresor)
‘Astro’ is the title track of Donato Dozzy’s new LP on Tresor and as soon as I heard it I thought that it would sound great coming in before UR’s ‘The Final Frontier which, along with ‘Acid Eiffel’ is a strong contender for best track featuring the 303. As ever, for me at least, the acid has to be omnipresent but not overwhelming, and this does the trick. Pounding drums, supremely judged, amongst which the 3030 is penned. Around it there are subtle lifts and other embellishments which, while not overwhelming, make their presence felt. This is profound big room music with momentum.
