Album Review : Get Lost IV mixed by T.E.E.D. (out now on Crosstown Rebels)

Check out this wicked vid from Damian Lazarus' Crosstown Rebels label. The latest edition of Rebel Rave follows Orlando Higginbottom - better know as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - on his hectic gig schedule in the US, whilst promoting his latest edition to the 'Get Lost' compilation series.

In true T.E.E.D. style, the mix is a truely eclectic selection spanning future beats, cheeky techno delights and epic deep house thumpers, including Orlando's collab with Eats Everything, as featured on last month's Soulful Eivissa 2013 Mix. Expect big names such as Underground Resistance, Trus'me, Breach, LFO and Âme.

And thanks to the wonders of the interwobbles, you can take a listen to the whole comp via Spotify.

If you like what you hear, you can grab the whole album in DJ-friendly, unmixed format via Juno Download here | crosstownrebels.com

** UPDATE - FREE CROSSTOWN REBELS DOWNLOAD **

Crosstown Rebels is giving Damian Lazarus and Mathew Jonson's 'Going To The Desert' away for free, all in exchange for a like on their Facebook Page.

Cashback!

SLL Top 20 House Chart - July '13

Here's my house picks for this week's Juno Download chart, with many of the tracks featured on the Soulful Eivissa 2013 Mix I did earlier this month. Go buy!

House Review : DJ W!LD - Shape U (Rebellion)

The vibe

As included on the SLL Soulful Eivissa 2013 Mix I put out earlier this month, DJ W!LD presents 'Shape U' on Crosstown Rebels offshoot Rebellion, a pounding summer anthem featuring an insane break sampled from The S.O.S. Band's 1984 disco-funk smash 'Just The Way You Like It'. A record as infectious as the original it samples and already garnering the support of big-hitters such as Pete Tong, I've had it on repeat for a number of weeks since receiving the promo and it's a gem!

Originally hailing from Dijon in France, W!LD is a long-standing underground house hero as both a DJ and producer with a passion for graffiti, street culture, disco, funk and hip-hop. As part of the Cocoon family and with a residency at Circo Loco, you may well have already heard him under a number of guises with releases on labels such as Robsoul.

Sounds like

Much of the French Robsoul output. And The S.O.S. Band, of course. :-)

Serving suggestion

With the original firmly aimed at the discerning house floors, the package also includes a deeper workout from Fur Coat - more typical of the CR sound for the wee small hours - alongside the aptly named techy 'WILDER' remix and a dub version.

Did you know?

DJ W!LD takes his name from cult 1983 film Wild Style...

'Shape U' is out now on Rebellion | crosstownrebels.com

Dennis Ferrer feat. Janelle Kroll - Mind Ur Step (Defected)

Right kids, expect a run of super soulful house coming this way. The sun is blazing in Sydney so I'm out on the terrace writing and dreaming of those long summers playing in Ibiza. Ah, nostalgia's a wonderful thing!

First up is a brand new track from Dennis Ferrer, in a not so usual vein. Ordinarily famed for deep, funky house grooves, 'Mind Ur Step' is a slight departure, with Ferrer going for the proverbial peak-time jugular on this massive summer anthem.



This latest release is everything you'd expect from Ferrer in terms of it's impeccable production quality and infectious four-to-the-floor groove. But there's a difference: teaming-up with Chicago's Janelle Kroll, the pair deliver a huge vocal stormer, the mix laced with pulsating, modulated bass and elevating synths. Janelle then lifts the whole composition into orbit with a vocal that's sure to echo around every dancefloor on the White Isle this year.

Another classic production from a truely consistent house hero. Defected, like a trusty old friend, you're still smashing it after so many years at the top of your game. Salutations.

'Mind Ur Step' is out 22nd July via Defected | defected.com

House Masters Dennis Ferrer is available from iTunes : smarturl.it/HouseMasterDF

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #14

Hello peeps. It's raining cats and dogs in Sydney as I put together this week's podcast, hence it's a bit more of a deep, dark affair for #14.

Kicking-off with a romantic, almost Depeche Mode feel, we have some surprising sounds from Get Physical and Trentemøller, plus new joints from Potholes, Jus Like Music and our friends at Wah Wah 45s. Enjoy!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #14 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#14 - 17th June '13

01. Wire People - Triangle Vision (Get Physical Promo)

02. Austra - Home (Radio Edit) (Domino Promo)

03. Trentemøller - Never Stop Running feat. Jonny Pierce of The Drums (In My Room Promo)

04. GTA Hoffmann - Der Mogul (Jazz & Milk Promo)

05. Ta-ku - Make It Last feat. JMSN (LFTF Promo) [download]

06. Black Noi$e - Hold On (Potholes Music Promo) [download]

07. Kratos Himself - Remember (Jus Like Music Promo)

08. Grupo Socavon - Homenaje a Justino (Uproot Andy Remix) (Que Bajo Promo) [download]

09. Linda Mirada - Lio En Rio (Sabore Bicoro Remix) (Lovemonk Promo)

10. Harleighblu - Play Me (Tru Thoughts Promo)

11. Sola Rosa - Spinning Top feat. L.A. Mitchell (Agogo Promo)
[download DJ Alias - Soul Bass Remix]

12. The Gene Dudley Group - When The Gorilla Get Grip (Wah Wah 45s Promo)

13. Frameworks & BluRum 13 - What You Gonna Do? (Frameworks Remix) (My First Moth Promo)

14. Uraz Kurt - Still For (Soulab Promo)

15. Marcia Mitchell - For Love (MMM Promo)

16. Woodkid - I Love You (Interscope Promo)

17. John Legend - Made To Love (Columbia Promo)

18. HornDogz - Movin' On feat. TY, Breis & Peeda (Uptone Promo)

19. Hackney Colliery Band - Hitched (Wah Wah 45s Promo)

20. Metome - Water Cycle (King Deluxe Promo) [download]

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Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #13

So to episode 13 of the podcast.

This week's shenanigans are very much focussed on the future beat side of things, but with the usual splash of neo-soul, funk and housey flavour, most of which is out there for free download. Lovely jubbley. 

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #13 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#13 - 10th June 2013

01. Jono McCleery - Painted Blue (Ninja Tune Promo) [download]

02. Kid Smpl - I Think It's Gone (devonwho Remix) (Hush Hush Records Promo) [download]

03. Laura Mvula - Green Garden (DJAO Remix) (white) [download]

04. SmokedBeat - Hall Street (Millenium Jazz Music Promo) [download]

05. Handbook - Intensify (Am I Real?) (Filthy Fortune Records Promo) [download]

06. Nikitch - Hate Or Wait (Darker Than Wax Promo) [download]

07. LDFD - Twerk It (white) [download]

08. Paul White - Watch The Ants (One-Handed Music Promo)

09. Quantic & Alice Russell with the Combo Barbaro - I'd Cry (Tru Thought Promo)

10. Amel Larrieux - For Real (IAMNOBODI RMX) (white) [download]

11. Dezaray Dawn - Don't You Dare (white)

12. Georgia Anne Muldrow - Akosua (Mello Music Group Promo) [download]

13. The Art of Fresh - The Chase (Catch Me If You Can)  (Bandcamp) [download]

14. Ta-ku - Know You (stillmuzik Promo) [download]

15. Tuxedo - So Good (white) [download]

16. Jill Scott - Golden (Kaytranada's Life Living Edition) (white) [download]

17. Uptown Funk Empire - You've Got To Have Freedom (Patchworks Remix) (Soulab Promo)

18. Henri-Pierre Noël - A Fifth Of Beethoven (Wah Wah 45s Promo)

19. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On? (Roundhouse Kick Remix) (white) [download]

20. Octa Push - Green Limo (Senseless Promo) [download]

21. Lokiboi - All Nighter (Somethingsounds Promo) [download]

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Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #12

Marking the Queen's birthday here in Oz, things have gone a bit soulful/R&B this week, mainly down to the man Steve Ripley over at Soulfood who continues to prove himself a complete music superstar.

Tracks come from Diggs Duke following this week's interview with Tall Black Guy, plus the usual crazy niceness with two tracks from Omar's much-anticipated new album 'The Man', more biggies from Tru Thoughts, First Word, Ninja Tune and Stones Throw, alongside a fresh REFLEX take on Daft Punk and my very own Bastard Jazz edit. Have a wee listen, my good friend.

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #12 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#12 - 3rd June 2013

01. Diggs Duke feat. Vaughan Octavia - Is It Love? (Thundercat Cover) (Bandcamp) [download]

02. B.jamelle - Rose Tea (Bandcamp) [download]

03. Sheree Brown - Time For The Party (Expansion Promo)

04. Timotha Lanae - ALBUM TRACK 2 [UNKNOWN]

05. C. Robert Walker - Something's Going On (Expansion Promo)

06. Omar - Fuck War, Make Love (Freestyle Promo)

07. Omar - Simplify (Freestyle Promo)

08. Quasimoto - Brothers Can't See Me (Stones Throw Promo)

09. Natural Self - An Invisible Light (Tru Thoughts Promo)

10. Nickodemus feat. Sammy Ayala - Baila Tu Manera (Whiskey Barons Remix) (Wonderwheel Promo)

11. The Impellers - Do What I Wanna Do (Clear's Muchacho Sucio Remix) (Légère Recordings Promo)

12. Kid Loco x Captain Planet - My Daddy Ningani [Stop.Look.Listen. Lumpy Mash] (Soundcloud) [download]

13. Omegaman - El O'man Boogaloo (All Good Funk Alliance Remix) (Fort Knox Promo)

14. Daft Punk - Doin' It Right (REFLEX Remix) (Soundcloud) [download]

15. Kid A - BB Bleu (Eliphino Remix) (Ninja Tune Promo) [download]

16. Yosi Horikawa - Stars (First Word Promo)

17. Hidden Orchestra - Vorka (DC Breaks Remix) (Tru Thoughts Promo)

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Daft Punk - Doin' It Right (Reflex Remix) (FREE DL)

This is why REFLEX is the remix producer to watch out for this year.

After his incredible reshuffle of 'Rock With You', here's the first take on 'Random Access Memories'.

Free to download - get involved.

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #11

I've gone a bit world this week, in no small part due to the kindness of new friends IRMA Records in Italy and Far Out Recordings in London. There's also some cracking freebies from groovesters Soulection, as well as brand new tracks from First Word, Jalapeno and Fort Knox. Lovely stuff. 

The mix is a little schizophrenic this week, as is the selection. Thankfully there's still no digital substitute to an experienced DJ. :-) Enjoy my lovelies and spread the word about these cracking new releases!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #11 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#11 - 27th May 2013

01. OL & ¥oin - Sink (Fine Grains Promo)

02. Lakim - Future Bounce (Soulection) [download]

03. Flako - What's That Calling Me (Project: Mooncircle) [download]

04. Dwele - Lady (Sango & Lakim Edit) (Soulection) [download]

05. Kilo Kish - Give It 2 U (Cover) (Self-Released) [download]

06. Kraak & Smaak - The Future Is Yours (Ambassadeurs Remix) (Jalapeno Promo) [download]

07. Riot Jazz Brass Band - Paradox (First Word Promo)

08. Fort Knox Five - Once Again feat. King Kamonzi (Fort Knox Promo)

09. Basement Freaks - The Last Train (Jalapeno Promo)

10. Leon Ware - I Know You (Original Mix) (Reel People Promo)

11. Thabo & The Real Deal - Hey Mama (Bandcamp) [download]

12. Jaidene Veda - If Only (Elle's Chill Reprise) (Jaiveda Productions Promo)

13. The Blue Hammock - Wonderwall (IRMA Promo)

14. Hawa - Gone Away (Favorite Recordings Promo)

15. Benoit Viellefon & His Orchestra - Minor Swing (JohnJohn Records Promo)

16. Joyce Moreno - Dor De Amor É Água (Far Out Recordings Promo)

17. Christian Lisi - Besame Mucho (IRMA Promo)

18. Unknown - I Want Your Love (Soul Clap Records)

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Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #10

What a great week for music! My Inbox has been veritably bursting at the seams with amazing new tracks, so I'm really excited to share them with you. I know I've been a bit quiet this week - rest assure there's lots more coming over the weekend in terms of reviews and freebies. Watch this space...

The usual eclectic blend, this week's selection features more great stuff from the Melodica stable, a re-hit of tracks from Colm K's latest EP and the new album from Australia's very own Kerbside Collective, plus a fresh-off-the-press Hint remix on London Possee's 'London Style' and new Chromatics material. And last but not least, an incredible release from Pedestrian - one of my favourite tracks of the year already. You can download all the available tracks from Juno Download [here].

As ever, pull up a chair, open the paper and take a listen.

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #10 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#10 - 20th May 2013

01. Jesse Boykins III – Limit To Your Love (Self Released) [download] 

02. Ojan - Beginnings (Melodica Promo)

03. Shortcircles - On My Mind (Anenon Remix) (Plug Research Promo) [download] 

04. Flako - Dwarf Dance (Project: Mooncircle Promo)

05. Colm K - Nothing (Bastard Jazz Promo)

06. [re:jazz] - At First Glance feat. Mediha (INFRACom! Promo)

07. Harleighblu - Enough Now (Tru Thoughts Promo)

08. The Hi-Fly Orchestra - Roda De Samba (Agogo Promo)

09. The Kerbside Collection - Jelly Belly (Légère Recordings Promo)

10. Resonators - Try Again (Wah Wah 45s Promo)

11. London Posse - London Stylee (Hint Version) (Tru Thoughts Promo)

12. Mr Beatnick – I Know All The Bitches (Atjazz Astro Remix) (R2 Promo)

13. Uraz Kurt - Remember The Light (Soulab Promo)

14. Jaidene Veda - Open Love Letter (Ananda Project Remix) (Jaiveda Productions Promo)

15. Satin Jackets - Come On (Melodica Promo)

16. Chromatics - Looking For Love (Italians Do It Better Promo)

17. Pedestrian - Hoyle Road (Original Mix) (Born Electric Promo)

18. Badboe - Playin Yourself (Booty Fruit Promo)

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Various Artists - The Soul Revolution 3 (Soulab)

It's no secret that I'm an enormous fan of the Soulab label over in France. Consistently dishing out incredible quality nu-funk and soul, it was with enormous anticipation that I saw 'The Soul Revolution 3' drop into my Inbox this week.

Featuring all the usual suspects, including Weeland and The Urban Soul Collective, Soul Motion Replay, Isaac Aesili and Uptown Funk Empire, this album delivers. The selection sees the label reaching out into slightly new territory, with a bit more of an electronic, housey edge. Regardless, this compilation is another flawless example of a soul label at the very top of its game. Think the kind of output Naked Music was putting out back in the late-90s, and you're there.

Check Isaac Aesili's 'Freedom Cry' below - one of my favourite cuts from the album from one of my favourite labels - Project: Mooncircle.

What's interesting is the inclusion of tracks from JetTricks and Mr. Confuse; only this week I had a rather enormous package through the post from Légère Records in Hamburg - the home of these two artists, so I was already chugging through their back cat before receiving this. I guess that's what finding a great label is all about - you find yourself on a practically identical wavelength in both music and time.

Anyhow, expect super-soulful cuts aplenty on this album in a multitude of styles and forms. If you're into uplifting, dance-orientated nu-soul, you won't go wrong.

'Soul Revolution 3' is out now via Soulab and you can purchase via Juno Download here. | soulab.com

Steve Mill presents Anna Cavazos - Upside Down (Muak)

With strong echoes of that 90s club vibe, yet laced with classic deep house grooves, Steve Mill presents Anna Cavazos on 'Upside Down'.

Punchy drums, crisp hats and ravey filtered keys are perfectly fused with a speed garage-esque bounce and warm deep house harmonies; it almost plays like an Innervision reinterpretation of Todd Edwards' earlier work.

Within seconds of hitting play, this was already a favourite. With summer just around the corner in the UK, this would definitely be one of my picks for this coming Ibiza season. Just wishing I could be jamming on the terraces to hear it this year. Never mind ay, I can always pop down to Bondi on the 380 bus. Just hope the DJ's spinning this.

Anthem.

'Upside Down' is out via Muak exclusively through Traxsource in late-May. | traxsource.com

Opolopo: Philanthropist [Downloads]

I've been a massive fan of Opolopo for some time, an artist who seems to have nailed the art of bringing the 80s vibe to boogie and house floors alike.

That said, the Stockholm-based beard-fancier's repertoire far from ends there; remixes on the likes of Mario Biondi and St. Germain showcase the incredible breadth of Opolopo's sound and talents.

Best known for numerous releases on nu soul labels such as Tokyo Dawn as well as ground-breaking house labels such as Local Talk, Opolopo is lesser-known as a true philanthropist - to say his Soundcloud is brimming with incredible freebies would be an understatement.

So here are a couple of cuts I've ripped from his feed, all incredible, all free. GO!

Outboxx - Outboxx (Idle Hands)

Bristol duo Outboxx recently released their first full-length, self-titled EP on Idle Hands, and I've had it on repeat ever since.

A journey moving through soulful lo-fi, snappy nu garage and big room belters, the album is a real accomplishment in its re-imagination of traditional house and techno. Whilst it plays like an EP you think you've heard time and again, it has a moreish quality that gets in your head unlike any act I've heard since Disclosure.

The standout track for me is 'Home', as featured on this week's Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast, a silky slice of slow 4/4 with a gorgeous, melancholic vocal.

Another act forging the new sound of the dancefloor, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for Outboxx's future releases - safe to say this new album is already, in my book, a modern classic. Check out the track 'All The Right Moves' below.

'Outboxx' is out now via Idle Hands - grab it from Juno Download here. | idlehandsbristol.com

Back to house...

I mentioned getting more and more into my deep house having moved to Australia. Maybe it's the weather, or something in the water - who knows. So I've turned my attention back to an old friend - the Resident Advisor Podcast - and found another former music companion in Solomun, who recently recorded a mix for them.

As if reliving a past life, I reverted to a habit I used to exercise weekly, sometimes daily, and jumped into the podcast comments to dig out the tracklisting from the ever-present trainspotters. It was great to hear that distinctive Solomun sound again with some new twists (Kate Bush on an RA Podcast anyone?!). The mix was more commercial than the style I'd remembered him for, but it figures as I've since learned that Solomun is pretty much dance music royalty now, having secured two major residencies in Ibiza this year. He recently featured on the front page of Mixmag - safe to say he's come leaps and bounds since the early days as an undercover minimal house producer.

What I was surprised at, however, was the amount of negativity and abuse towards him in the forum. I'm all for healthy debate, but the level of criticism seemed extremely harsh for someone who's produced countless quality tracks championed by such world-beating DJs as Dixon and Âme. It's just a shame that the house scene clearly continues to be 'dominated' by haters, which is a great shame, and part of the reason I got out. It's sad that people get more caught up in the scene's politics than the the music. Is it just me? Am I completely out-of-touch? Maybe it's my age talking - after all, I've gone from playing in dark, dank basements until 6am to spending my weekends listening to neo-soul and funk records...

Anyhow, I digress; personally I enjoyed the mix and it got me thinking back to five years ago when I was heavily into minimal. So here are a couple of highlights from Solomun's RA mix, a personal favourite via his Diynamic label from 2007, plus a wicked 4-hour Boiler Room mix by Dixon and Âme from October last year. Loving the return to house - like an old friend, it never fails.

Clark & Pudell - Zashu

(Viper Strike Beats & Bass Edit) (Pole Position, 2013)

[Buy at Juno Download]

The Rapture - Sister Saviour (DFA, 2010)

[Buy at Juno Download]

Solomun & Stimming - Eiszauber (Diynamic, 2007)

[Buy at Juno Download]

Boiler Room - Dixon & Âme 4-Hour Mix

iTunes turns 10...

This week marked iTunes' 10th birthday - how mad is that?!

Whilst there have been a lot of posts chipping around the web about this milestone, this simply got me thinking - what on earth was I buying in my early days of iTunes?

The answer: lots of Demarkus Lewis apparently, which I'm far from ashamed of. After all, this exercise could have revealed a past fancy with cheesy party remixes or something. Thankfully, for now, all that remains a closely guarded secret. :-)

Here are the tracks - enjoy.

1. Demarkus Lewis - Hustler (Vista, 2004)

[Buy at Juno Download]

2. Demarkus Lewis - Coming Back 4 Love (Vista, 2004)

[Buy at Juno Download]

3. Demarkus Lewis - St. Lewis (Greenkeepers, 2006)

[Buy at Juno Download]

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #6

So here we go with Podcast Number 6, a special extended edition to make up for a few weeks away. Apparently I can fit three Tru Thoughts releases into one podcast - safe to say Robert Luis and the guys are on FIRE at the moment. Enjoy!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #6 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#6 - 22nd Apr 2013

01. George Ezra – It's Just My Skin (Bandcamp) [download]

02. Evil Needle – Radiance (Self Released) [download]

03. D33J – Park (Tape Version) (Self Released) [download]

04. Nefarious! – Buena Vista (Self Released) [download]

05. Ta-ku – ONEFORTREY (Soulection) [download]

06. Roane Namuh – Down Supreme (Bandcamp) [download]

07. El Ten Eleven – Thanks Bill (Com Truise Remix) (Fake) [download]

08. Ben Mono - The List (Bandcamp) [download]

09. Robin Thicke – Wanna Love You Girl (Sango Remix) (Self Released) [download]

10. Sango – On My Mind All the Time (Self Released) [download]

11. Ayanna Witter-Johnson – Roxanne (Bandcamp) [download]

12. Lady – Karma (Truth & Soul Promo)

13. Numbe:ra – There I Go feat. Frank Nitt (Tokyo Dawn Promo)

14. The Gene Dudley Group – The New Lots Of Cooperstown (Wah Wah 45s Promo) [download]

15. Homeboy Sandman – Peace & Love (Stones Throw Promo)

16. The Allergies – You Wouldn't Know (Riddim Fruit Promo)

17. Uraz Kurt – Beach Dance (Soulab Promo)

18. Hot 8 Brass Band – Milwaukee Fat (Tru Thoughts Promo)

19. London Posse – Money Mad (Wrongtom Remix) (Tru Thoughts Promo)

20. Olivier Daysoul – I Want You (Self Released) [download]

21. Mayer Hawthorne – Designer Drug (Self Released) [download]

22. The Hi-Fly Orchestra – Get Ready feat. Karl Frierson (Agogo Promo)

23. Alice Russell – Hard And Strong (Tru Thoughts Promo)

24. Kalabrese – Purple Rose (Sonar Kollektiv Promo)

25. The Knife – A Tooth For An Eye (Rabid Records Promo)

26. Omar – The Man (Maddslinky Remix) (Freestyle Promo)

27. Anushka – Yes Guess (Chesus R.A.W. Mix) (Brownswood Promo) [download]

28. TNGHT – ACRYLICS (Warp Promo)

29. D Tiberio – Lie/Losing Form (Turntable Promo)

30. JAW JAM – The Truth (Yoin's Nothing But The Truth Remix) (Tuff Wax Promo)

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Uraz Kurt – Discofied (Soulab)

Soulab has been a consistent powerhouse in the nu soul/broken-beat scene for some years, with every one of its releases firmly entrenched in the SLL musical armory.

On this latest release, the French funkmeisters hand the reins to Turkish producer Uraz Kurt, a name I’m not particularly familiar with but with certainly be looking out for in future. Safe to say there’s a lot of wicked stuff coming out of Istanbul these days – take note.

‘Discofied’ is an eclectic mix of modern electronic sounds, including brave covers of Inner City’s epic ‘Big Fun’ and Donny Hathaway’s ‘Little Ghetto Boy’. The result is a choppy, sample-happy package, all driven by gorgeous live instrumentals and arpy leads. Kurt’s partner Cagri Ultay adds the final polish, her tender vocals piercing the grooves to calm the spirit and move the mind.

‘Discofied’ is out now on Soulab – go get! | soulab.com

Jamie Lidell - You Naked (Remixes) (Warp)

On this latest release from Jamie Lidell's self-titled album, 'You Naked' comes with remix support from Detroit house veteran Jimmy Edgar as well as highly-credited nu skool producers RL Grime & Salva.

Jimmy's interpretation is the one for me, with a typically distinctive, stripped-back style building on his repertoire as a continually fresh, innovative producer. Piercing, distorted percussion, chord-driven grooves and just the right amount of cowbell give the hypnotic vocals plenty of space to breathe, with subtle pads lifting and teasing the listener just short of erupting into an all-out musical assault. A wicked early evening builder.

The full album 'Jamie Lidell' is out now on Warp. Check it out and grab it now. | warp.net

Last Night's Listening: Mardi Gras, Sydney

A few tracks I heard last night during the Mardi Gras parade on Oxford Street in Sydney. Safe to say it was fabulous, darling...

1. The System - Coming to America (Atco Records, 1988)

This is a bit of a white lie really, as I didn't technically here this at all! That said, whilst sitting outside the Coco Cubano on the parade route last night, I did hear a track in the background that distinctly reminded me of the score from one of my favourite 80s films – Coming To America. A bit of searching later and I stumbled across the main theme. Classic funk from the era of big shoulder pads, bigger phones and truly terrifying perms.

2. Benny Benassi - Satisfaction (Energy Production, 2002)

Released in 2002, I still remember working in Groovefinder Records in Portsmouth when the first pressings of this came through, as it took quite a while to decide whether this was a huge hit or miss. However, ‘Satisfaction’ has since given birth to a decade of hugely compressed synth-heavy ‘electro’ anthems; as it turns out this track was groundbreaking at the time and refuses to go away. That riff though… So infectious! 

3. Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive (RSO, 1977)

A track that needs no introduction. Immortalised by the dancefloor stylings of one John Travolta, this track was one of the first disco tracks I was ever exposed to and continues to rotate in all manner of venues – in a multitude of reworked forms – the world over. Classic doesn't quite do it justice.