HVOB – Always Like This (Andhim remix) (Archive)

 

Isolee – Allowance

On Saturday the 28^th of July at round 7:35 am in Dalston, London, after a night of 1920’s dress, roulette table-ing, vodka martini’s and electro swing jives, I slumped and glided to the sound of Isolee’s “Allowance”. It has such measure, such grace, such balance, teetering and tormenting. The piano echoes, holding you, sustaining you, massaging your mind and your soul. You drift and drop to the non-stop melodic felony. Yet, there is an undercurrent of grit, a shutter sound that holds the piece together. When I heard this, I felt liberated, I felt unified, I felt at peace. So sit back and enjoy, if you ever need a post jam tune, this is the one.

KB.

Lovebox – Paul Kalkbrenner – Aaron

So, on the 21^st July 2013, I was once again privileged to be in the presence of the one and only, big bald, Paul Kalkbrenner. I was given this experience via the festival Lovebox situated in Victoria Park, centred in the east end of London. It was a most enjoyable event displaying real vibrancy, raw enthusiasm, without the crowd and performance schedule pressures encountered at some festivals. It was very relaxed, chilled, you could meander from tent to tent and allowing the various artists to capture you with their ambient sounds and deep bass. Other than the great Kalkbenner, some other notable acts were Kim Ann Foxman, Miss Kittin and Solomun. Kalkbrenner was awesome as ever, enjoy his closing track of the set: “Aaron”.

To view the event: http://mamacolive.com/lovebox/

KB.

Kleerup – Until We Bleed

Love at its most fragile and somber. This song seems to leave a real emptiness in the air. A tragic melancholy is created, as we listen to the vaporous voice of Lykke Li, hypnotising us into submission, placing us into a straightjacket, a hostage to the music, held in suspension. You feel a pain and anguish, yet it is this anguish that makes this track so captivating. The song’s meaning seems to be centered on addiction whether that is individual addiction or dealing with the strains of addiction within a relationship. There is a beautiful subtlety as Kleerup mixes vocal, with electronic and instrumental, you feel simultaneously unnerved and yet calmed, empty but whole, an unsatisfied satisfaction.

KB.

Trentemoller – The Mash And The Fury

Ever felt like a storm is coming? No literally a ferocious, all encompassing, hungry, angered, anguishing, still storm teetering on the horizon. Well take a seat and listen intently to the introduction of the masterpiece that is Trentemoller’s “Into the Great Wide Yonder”. This song seems to build; it holds, offers and yet retracts. There is something that is about to be unleashed. There is a motion, there is a calm, there is a conscience. Take shelter and prepare for the coming of “The Mash and The Fury”, whatever that may be, is up to you.

Fritz Kalkbrenner – Facing The Sun

Think summer; think sunshine, think sunglasses, think sun cream. Fortunately, in London town the sun has come out to play. Unfortunately for me, I have tonsillitis and am stuck in my steamy cesspit that is my bed… However I have somehow been able to wrench the gloriousness of the sunshine outside, inside. You ask how? Fritz Kalkbrenner’s – Facing The Sun has made my current predicament far more encouraging, its upbeat rhythm and melodic tones serenade. So, if you are in the sun then play this, slip and sink into this smooth sound of summer.

From the album “Here Today Gone Tomorrow”.

Vondelpark – Camels

Describing their musical style as ‘Radiohead quiet storm’, this newly formed 3-piece band from London manage to create a distinctively dreamy sound. It’s not exactly party music, but really hits the spot on a quiet night in.

Something in the Air – Maya Jane Coles

A mellow house track from Maya Jane Cole’s ‘Don’t Put Me in Your Box’ EP. Initially it’s easy to be deceived by its gentle softness and minimal construction, yet as you fall under its spell you’ll soon notice the dark underlying tension which hits you like a right hook to the jaw. Beautifully eerie, you can imagine yourself discovering an underwater Atlantis with only a flashlight.

Nightmares on Wax – Hear in Colour

I’m on the roof of a high-rise apartment block in Manhattan, watching the swarms of taxi-cabs below scurry like little motorized ants down 2^nd Avenue. The deep evening sun caresses me with gentle bursts of warmth. Above me rises the smoke from my freshly-lit Camel cigarette, waltzing delicately with the ebb and flow of the soft breeze.

Flying Lotus – Putty Boy Strut

Highly creative, original and experimental, Flying Lotus is a true innovator of electronic music. This free-form jazz inspired track deviates between genres and cleverly uses edited vocal samples as soft sonic textures.

Released on his latest album ‘Until The Quiet Comes’ on Warp Records.