Bomarr (formerly Bomarr Monk) is a fucking legend and a splendid chap too.
Whether he's producing with Restiform Bodies or going solo, he always comes correct with d.i.y niceness...

So it's especially nice that he's offering up a 15 track compilation of various lost tracks/remix work...

it's called 'Scraps'
Grab it here


The Of Montreal remix is pretty,pretty good.

xxx

A few words from the awesome Controller 7:

'It's been out of print for awhile now and I don't think I will repress it, so here goes. The mp3s are @ 192 and it's a zipped folder of each track (not one long mp3).

I put a lot of work into this one.'

'BUMPS' mix

1. Intro
2. Kool G. Rap - "Play It Kool"
3. Showbiz and AG - "A Giant In The Mental"
4. Volume 10 - "Styles On Deck"
5. "Ahonetwo"
6. Steady B - "Nothin' But The Bass"
7. Spyder D - "Placin' The Beat"
8. "All the Ladies..."
9. Sparky D - "Throwdown"
10. Nas - "It Ain't Hard To Tell" (remix)
11. MC Serch - "Back To The Grill"
12. Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf - "That's Word"
13. De La Soul - "Freedom Of Speak"
14. Del That Funky Homosapien - "Burnt"
15. Masta Ace - "Born To Roll"
16. "Hot Damn"
17. The Beatnuts - "Reign Of The Tec"
18. Common Sense - "Soul By The Pound"
19. "Dancin' 'Til it Hirts"
20. Casual - "It's A Me Thang"
21. Stezo - "Bring The Horns"
22. Just-Ice - "Going Way Back"
23. Pete Rock & CL Smooth - "Straighten It Out"
24. De La Soul - "Oodles of O's"
25. "1, 2, 3..."
26. MC Lyte - "I Am The Lyte"
27. B.D.P. - "Gimme, DAT, (Woy)"
28. Kool G. Rap - "On The Run" (remix)
29. Snoop Dogg - "Serial Killa"
30. Cypress Hill - "Hand On The Pump"
31. Black Sheep - "Have U.N.E. Pull"


98 records, a video, and my fingers (snapping on track 31).

bonus megamix on track 32
........................................................................................

niceness

xxx

How do you like your drukqs?

25 minute minimix of the most mental bits from the album...
Masterfully mixed up by SheffieldBleep

grab it here

COME ON YOU CUNTS
LET'S 'AVE SOME APHEX ACID!

xxx

It's arrived 11 years too late, but yesterday I finally got to hear Blak
Twang's first album.
The reason it had never reached my ears upto now was because the lp by this legendary UK mc was never released... Promo's were sent out, five star reviews were given but the the label
(Sound of Money) went tits up.

For all this time the only hints I had were two classic singles 'Real
Estate' and 'Dettwork Southeast' and a handfull of white lables that I've
collected.

I'm pleased as punch to say that it was worth the wait.

Grab the singles or dive straight in...


Dettwork Southeast (single)


Real Estate

Dettwork Southeast (full album)

xxx

Bracken (Chris Adams of Hood) released 'We know about the need' to little fanfare or widespread acclaim last year, which is a damn shame because it was a bit of a sleeper classic. Very electronic in it's production with songs that often battered speakers with bass or threatened to fall apart. All of this accompanied by vocals that were as complimentary to the music as you could hope for.

Whether you loved the album or have yet to hear it, the good folks at Anticon have got a treat for you: Bracken's Autumn Podcast.

The blurb on the site lead me to believe that this was just a half hour slice up of the album (and perhaps some other niceness) but no.... It's half an hour of brand new original music, taking on everything from his floaty electronics, to dubstep leanings and even a fucking awesome cover of Subtle's 'The Ends' (last track from For Hero:For Fool)

Grab the podcast here

xxx

Buck 65 strikes back soon with his new album 'Situation'
Released on Sage Francis' record label Strange Famous, it sees Buck take on a more straight up hip hop direction. A new song was posted up at Spinner...


Shutter Buggin'

Check the pre-order deals here.

xxx

First off.
To get it straight.
This album is fucking amazing.
Sole and the Skyrider Band are killing it.

If Constellation were to release a hip hop album, then it would sound like this. Sole is on point on as ever, the lyrics are most definitely top shelf.

Shit. I could blog this up 'till I'm blue in the face but strongbow and sun makes me lazy.

so listen...


The Bones of my Pets

oh.

get to know them (though youtube) here

The album drops on 23rd October.

Check here for chances to see the live show.

xxx

Hip Hop shows are usually straight up wack. There I said it... Too many hype men and nowhere near enough hype.
That's why Themselves stand out from most... Check this song from their Peel Session.. They turn an already manic song into something unbelievable... How the fuck can Doseone be doing that crazy fast rappity stuff? Jel goes some on MPC and backs up with vocals.

If only half the rappers put half this much effort in to a live performance...


The Live Trap (Peel Session)

xxx

It's been a while since I raved about Pepe Deluxé's new album 'Spare Time Machine' and I'm happy to say that months down the line it's still bothering the top of my listening pile.
A lot of very fine peeps share the enthusiasm, their new single 'Go for Blue' (released 27th August on Catskills) is all remixed up by Optimo, Lost Idol and Viva Voce.

'Go for Blue' is definitely a highlight from an already very bright album... check the Viva Voce remix.. they dim the lights down, strip it back and turn it dusky.. bloody good it is too..


Go for Blue (Viva Voce remix)

xxx

Goth-Trad is a legend, or at least he should be, the Japanese master of Bass has been behind some of the most beautifully realised dubstep of recent times.
His 'Mad Raver's Dance Floor' album is just that. 50 odd non-stop minutes of full on bleepy goodness.
At times it could be the pilled up teenage son of 'Experience' era Prodigy and yet it segues effortlessly in and out of the dubstep goodness he's mastered.

Two tracks from the album...


Back to Chill


Loop Of The Trip

You can get buy his 'Back to Chill' e.p and 'Cut Ends/Flags' 12" here.
The album *still* has no UK distribution. Boo! Sort it out peoples.

p.s

The B-Line that kicks in around the 03:53 mark on 'Back to Chill' should be illegal.
Dope. As. Fuck.

xxx

I very much like the Mercury Rev of old. Here's two songs from their '93 album 'Boces'


Meth of a Rockette's Kick


Boys Peel Out

xxx

The Octopus Project.
wow.

Another band that make experimentation seem easy and leave you second guessing, mouth agape at their next move. Fuzzed up funk, staccato samples, detached vocals...
'this is for your walkman when you ride the city bus'
And that's only one song.

They have a new album due out in October on Peek-a-Boo Records and this is taken from it...


I Saw The Bright Shinies

Also enjoy two outstanding songs from their 2004 'Foam Party' e.p...


HMRA Sinners


EEEAAASSSEEE BAAACCCKKK

Visit their awesome site for more mp3s and buying opportunities, including a collaborative album with Black Moth Super Rainbow.

Very good stuff.

xxx

A song for train journeys surrounded by Daily Mail readers, the Philip Glass reworking of Aphex Twin's 'Icct Hedral' is an eight minute escape from the noisy world around around you.
It's your free ticket to The Last Night of the (pilled up) Proms...
You could be born, fall in love and die a happy specimen in the space of this song.
As fresh as ever from the Donkey Rhubarb e.p, it is indeed a beauty.
'Pancake Lizard' on the other hand always confuses me when it pops onto the ipod.
It's Aphex turned straight up instro-hip-ho yo! Not that I'm complaining! Now turn yourselves inside out with the contrast...


Icct Hedral [Philip Glass Orchestration]


Pancake Lizard

xxx

When your schizophrenic best friend elopes with nothing more than a bag of knives and and a battered old walkman, you can guarantee it'll be Health that they'll be listening to.
Probably not through headphones though, this is music that bypasses the ear and taps straight into the brain. They've got a split 7" with Crystal Castles forthcoming on Lovepump United and this is one of the tracks...


Crimewave

also a bonus for you...


Triceratops (cfcf remix)

Now can I have my knives back please?

xxx

I was dangerously obsessed with Wu-Tang Clan.

Now that i think about it, they were pretty avant-garde way back then... at a time when every other rapper was just another gangsta or intent on 'keeping it real', they came out with the whole martial arts mythology.. very different style of production and references in the lyrics...

i like how on 'only built 4 cuban linx' Raekwon took them above 'gangsta' and turned 'gangster' instead

genius.

They were in London last week and I'm gutted to have missed the show, though their Brixton Academy gig in '97 was the worst I've ever seen..

So I'll pour my liquor out for these forgotten gems...


Wu-Gambino's (Hidden Chamber Remix)


Diesel


Projects International Remix


Sunshower

xxx

Sometimes it's good to get back to the songs you know best...
The legendary Rakim let us know way back in back in '97...


It's been a long time

xxx

I fucking hate vocoders.
Really.
This album should piss me right me off.
Yet 'Dandelion Gum' the third album by Black Moth Super Rainbow has done nothing but set my ears adrift for the last few days. Listening to it is like sprouting a bunch of your favourite flowers in your brain.
All in all very bloody nice. Imagine Odd Nosdam on Prozac reworking Strawberry Fields (on an acid loop) forever. Next add vocoders *shiver* and shimmy on down to a summer beach.
I've done a horrible job of describing, so it's probably best to listen...


Forever Heavy


Sun Lips


The Afternoon turns Pink

xxx

Another New York report... These Are Powers are pretty much the reason I ventured over and they didn't disappoint. The self proclaimed purveyors of Ghost Punk played with unhinged precision. As you might expect from a band that includes an ex Liars man in their numbers the sound is stripped right back to the brutal core.
Nearing the end of their set they let the crowd go wild and shake things up with all manner of percussive instruments. Never have ghosts felt so alive. It was a bit good.


Little sisters of Beijing


Cracks in the Lifeline

They have stuff to buy here. Highly recommended.

xxx

SIDS were one of many highlights of my New York trip. Featuring members of the most excellent Deerhunter, they put on a show that had everyone smiling at their nihilistic rage. The showmanship is at no expense to the music though, so when the singer crashed to the floor bashing his head repeatedly on the cymbal I marvelled that he was keeping perfect time.

The songs sound like a wonked out and very angry Silver Apples. Sharp synth punk that electrifies your ears and pounds at your heart.

They have a 7" to buy on Rob's House Records. Find out how to order it here.
(kudos to the packaging, the best I've seen in ages and if you're scared of vinyl you get a cd bundled in too)


6Ft Tall Wind Up Doll


+/- (Swastika Heart)


Psychohaunts

xxx

wo0t! I'm off to New York tomorrow to see These Are Powers and S.I.D.S play at Silent Barn.
Should be a bit good. It got me thinking of my first visit to New York way back in early 2002.
On my last day I wandered down to Ground Zero, there were posters everywhere that exclaimed 'Osama. Ya Mama!', smoke and dust was still billowing from the wreckage and this is the song that burst in at random on my walkman...


Aphex Twin - Come on You Slags!

Intense is not the word.

Stay safe people.

xxx

Two of the finest and most fucked up Radiohead songs were hidden away as Pyramid Song b-sides. If you haven't already heard them then you're in for a treat.
I especially love 'Trans-Atlantic Drawl', it's one of their most frenetic moments. Guitars spark and vocals fly until it erupts into aphex ambience. Lovely.


Trans-Atlantic Drawl


The Amazing Sounds of Orgy

xxx

Recently over at The Peoples Republic of Soleone , Odd Nosdam posted up an acapella of 'Atheist Jihad', a song he produced for Sole's 'Live from Rome' album. A lot of very talented peeps got straight to work on producing remixes. The source material is pure gold, Sole (and Bleubird) spit out lines such as 'The Dalai Lama's got a gameboy, Christina Ricci got a big forehead, Iraq ain't looking so good, but the motherfucking club is crunk'. It's definitely a big ol' heavy hitter of a song.

Let Down's remix sounds like Odd Nosdam falling through a k-hole with Kevin Shields, the world reverberating beyond control but the noise just about saves them.

It's a lot like an average weekend then.


Ambient Jihad

xxx

Spare Time Machine is a spot on name for the new Pepe Deluxé album. They skillfully turn out a record that sounds like it's been unearthed from a B-Movie psychedelic garage rock past.
The songs appear to have been crafted in an acid soaked dimension and are very enjoyably mental. Have a listen...


Ms. Wilhelmina and Her Hat


The Album is released on Catskills Records on 26th June.

p.s

From tomorrow Pepe Deluxé's 2nd album 'Beatitude' will be available as a free download on their website! Not a bad offer, I'll be hearing it for the first time.

: D

xxx

It's only Monday, but by Christ, it's fucking on. 'Zilla' is back as King Cannibal and has dropped a mix boiling over with rage, terror, bass and beats. You know how when you stick your earphones in with intent and you become the music as the street and surroundings melt away into insignificance... well this is 37minutes of pure 'FUCK YOU' to the world. A masterclass in misanthropic motivational music, yet it'd be equally at home in a club when you're ripped to the lids on pills, gurning wide eyed words of peace and fucking yeah to all around..

In short it's a schizophrenic listening experience.
you know what to do...

King Cannibal - Intro King Cannibal

Full Tracklisting Here

The mix is representing Gods of War, a new label that's going to be bursting speakers and taking no prisoners. Check their site for word on forthcoming very limited edition (and very collectible) Vinyl releases.

p.s

The 'Zilla' remix of The Chap's 'Premier at Last' (as featured here last august) finally gets a Vinyl release. It is astounding. Buy it.

xxx

When Roots Manuva rhymes 'Hotsteps got me treckin' from Peckham to Box Hill' it always smacks a huge smile on my face. Juggle Tings Proper from his '99 debut 'Brand New Second Hand' was and still is a tough tune. The el-p remix on the 12" turned the skanking groove of the original into a paranoid twitchy robotic shuffle.


Juggle Tings Proper (microchips, madness & hi tech war mix by el-p)

xxx

Go fucking mental. These two songs have boxed me up and shipped me out on many an occasion. Yep, the tragically unsigned Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster are masters of short-sharp-surf-horror-goth-shock-rock. In fact as I far as I know, they're the only peoples who occupy that particular genre. I heard some of their latest demos recently and was blown away. Give them another record deal because the world needs them back.


Alex


Morning Has Broken

xxx

Type Holy Fuck into google images... ok, you can expect some pr0n, that's a given, but Nintendo would be shocked at someones reworking of Mario. Anyway enough of that. Another band I'm I'm excited about... Holy Fuck hail from Toronto and make Kraut-Casio rock that sounds like Neu! at times and not at all at others.

Two songs from their recently released e.p (and yes, the second title is all too perfect)


The Pulse


They're going to take my thumbs

A song from their 2005 album..


Casio Bossa Nova

and to round it off some live tracks...

Safari (Live from The Verge- XM Radio)

Choppers (Live from The Verge- XM Radio)

Junglor (Live at Tulipe)

Chicago Radio Rap Band (Live from NWUR Radio)

x

I've seen some of the best gigs at London's Union Chapel. The setting is perfect, though supping Strongbow whilst sitting on Pews feels a bit strange.

One of finest performances I saw there was from The Polyphonic Spree, shortly before/after (not sure which) 'The beginning stages of...' was released. It was with their full line up and I remember being shocked when some guy I'd shared a cheeky spliff with in the courtyard turned up on stage. The setting certainly helped it to be one of the most rapturous gigs I've ever attended. The whole crowd was stood up and dancing throughout, the biggest smiles you could imagine showered the room.

Share the occasion..

All from The Union Chapel show...


What We Will Be


Hanging Around


Soldier Girl

Also a David Bowie cover from a BBC session


Five Years

xxx

Odd Nosdam is returning with his new Anticon lp 'Level Live Wires' on 28th August!
Holy Fuck, I'm a bit excited by the news. As one third of cLOUDDEAD he produced one of my all time favourite albums (their eponymous debut) and his 'Burner' lp was a sleeper classic of 2005.

His beats are rarely intricate but the noise that blankets them display a savants attention to texture and detail. Crackles, fuzz, pops and hiss envelop tracks with devestatingly effective results.

The press release describes his new lp as 'the distinct product of inspiration, bizarre happenstance and wonder lived out in a series of bright moments eventually brought together under the roof of an unruffled West Berkeley cottage' and it's true that the two preview songs have the same fuzzy aesthetic appeal as 'Burner' but the mood seems lighter.

I've rambled enough, have a listen....


Fat Hooks

The second preview song 'The Kill Tone Two' (featuring a cameo from Yoni Wolf of Why?) is available to listen to here

Now two treats from Burner...


11th avenue Freakout pt.2(featuring Mike Patton)


Untitled Three(featuring Jessica Bailiff)

xxx

Spacemen 3 are righting out the wrongs at this moment. J Spaceman of Spiritualized sorts me out when he walks with Jesus.
Their album 'Perfect Prescription' is just that.


Walking with Jesus

xxx

The best of songs to listen to when you don't wan't to piss off your neighbours with that 'boom, boom, boom' music... part 1

Boduf Songs (Matthew Sweet to his friends) released his eponymous debut on Kranky back in 2005. It's an album that quietly worms it's way into your head. Deceptively simple, bleak at times, yet rewards repeated listening like all the best albums do.

Claimant Reclaimed (download)

w0ot! Just found out Dirty Projectors are playing just ten minutes walk from my house next month. I'm a bit excited.

I need to hear more of this band, the singing is too beautiful.
Hear for yourself..


Like fake blood in crisp october

xxx

I'll be honest.
Everyone is going mad mental over simian mobile disco.
You are!
I see you dancing in the corner of your room wearing a hat you found in a sixth form art school, face placed somewhere south of the nineteen '70's. Yep. Be very glad your haircut is 100th on the leaderboard of well etc...
etc.

So in the warm light light of yesterday, Simians 'watch it glow' was an e.p of warped beauty.
They made music that twisted noises out of nowhere. Psychedelic revolution of stained glass window sound.

These words are nothing.. so enjoy the linkage...


Drop and Roll


In Siam

xxx

The Moscow Coup Attempt are the aceness. The project of Derek Whitacre, he brings music and visuals together to create an uneasy harmony of technology and espionage.

His first album 'the failure of shortwave radio' was inspired by number stations found on the murky SW frequency. Digits are reeled off at random with no emotion, an unknown ladies voice broadcasting throwbacks to the cold war era.

The music itself is pretty dark and smokey. Imagine Cinematic Orchestra playing aboard a nuclear submarine with snipers aimed at them throughout the set.
Have a listen:


Phone Tap


The failure of shortwave radio pt.3

Since then he's recorded two further albums that are also worth investigating.
Today he unveiled a Joanna Newsom cover with Vera Ostrova singing. It's worth pointing out that I've never heard Pixie Newsom so don't know how it compares, but for what it's worth.. I like it alot.

Sprout and the Bean

xxx

Ivor Cutler makes me smile, even when there's a bird in my room, hiding behind a wardrobe and I'm trying to get it to fly away by throwing bits of blu-tac at it.


Here's a Health for Simon


Gravity begins at Home

xxx

Another bit of niceness from dj snapmouth (aka posthuman). A mix from early 2006 of Seed Records releases.
It is a bit good.

dj snapmouth - mixed seeds
tracklisting:

Beats

1) [snyzch] - Snort Porridge (Do Me Mix) (SEED707)
2) The Doubtful Guest - Snoutful (SEED5×5/2)
3) Kansas City Prophets - Detraffec (SEED1208)
4) Black E - Ho Ho Ho (SEED5×5/2)
5) Ardisson - Yes (SEEDEP03)
6) Ardisson - Stop (SEEDEP05)
7) Plaid - Bodyclocker (SEED5×5/1)
8) Milanese - Sadako (SEED5×5/2)
9) Kansas City Prophets - Cams (unreleased)
10) Janos Andersson - Reject (SEED5×5/4)
11) MoQ - Isodiametric (SEEDEX04)

Ambient

12) On/Off - Kommunion (unreleased)
13) Posthuman - Endings (SEEDCD12)
14) MoQ - Starving Senses (SEEDEX04)
15) On/Off - Item Boron (SEEDCD04)
16) Digitonal - Saint Lucius Waits (unreleased)
17) Sancho - I'm On Your Side (SEEDCD11)

I first saw Why? play live on his Oaklandazulaylum tour. Unfortunately that night I'd necked so much ecstasy and washed it down with so much cider that I suffered the most supreme of blackouts.
One minute it was the opening song, the next, the closing whoops of applause.
For a long time the only hint of what I'd missed was the tour cd I bought from the merch table.
'Almost live from Anna's Cabin' was a very limited release of the warm up sessions that preceded the tour. A huge evolutionary step of Why? (the man) becoming Why? (the band)

These tracks are listed in order to whore myself out to the hype machine etc

Broken Crow

Cold Lunch

Ape in cage with wire cutters

However I suggest you dive straight in and download the full album here
Tweet

You gotta love Bjőrk, she's as mad as a swan, as such she should be protected by the Queen,
just imagine the mess if Asylum seekers attempted to eat her. : /

I'm still yet to hear Volta (out this monday) which is shocking considering it leaked it's way though many an internet pipe last month. In any case this post isn't about that album. No. It's to draw your attention to a fantastic 7minutemix (though it's closer to 8) of her music by Strepsil.
Details to follow..

Strepsil - Bjork 7minutemix

tracklisting:

army of me (beastie boys remix)
army of me
cover me (dillinja remix)
hunter
I miss you (photek remix)
so broken (krust remix)
all is full of love (passionate love mix)
hidden place (acapella)
immature
joga
possibly maybe
all is full of love (strings)
all is full of love

Fuck! Just missed my bus off to wrongness! So with the spare wait until it's next arrival, I'll leave you with a song that will forever remind me of an acid trip gone odd.

This song invoked short sharp feelings of...

combs
stickle bricks
corduroy
doom
facism

enjoy the fun.. good weekends to you!

neu! - negativland