WARMER MIXTAPES #255 | by Cedalou Torma [Little Silver Tabby]
It’s ridiculous how much is not on this list, but I’ve decided to assort my mixtape selections specifically with songs that have influenced me as a musician. Some of these songs I’ve been listening to for years, others are recent discoveries. When I lose heart, one of these babies will go into rotation and I become convinced that life is good, once again.
1. George Harrison | The Light That Has Lighted The World
From the record, Living In The Material World. I bought it not too long ago and was floored assoon as I heard Harrison’s breaking voice. He sounds weary, so direct. It cuts through me like a knife, just like Try Some, Buy Some.
2. Foxes In Fiction | New Panic Cure
This is off the record, Swung From The Branches. I’m fortunate enough to count Mr. Hildebrand as a close friend, so I’ve heard a few alternate versions of this song over time; every one mesmerizing. This music is not frivolous sentimentality, or decoration for some image, it comes from a genuine place. I recommend giving him a listen.
3. Joe Pass | Offbeat
This song comes from the record Virtuoso No.3, which I have been listening to since… well, since I could listen to music. The experience of listening to this recording for me is like hearing something from another planet. I’ve used this song to introduce friends to Pass, with varying different results. One person remarked, He’s just doing the same solo, over and over. Jazz is not everyone’s bag. Offbeat is based around an insistent quarter pulse of bass notes, changing from one tonic to another, and adorned with shifting harmony on top. This implied melody, and dissonant augmentation of chords, is a musical device I love to use. Another is building chords with wide tonal ranges. My, how I love chords, and this song has them!
4. The Aislers Set | Emotional Levy
From the band’s second studio release, How I Learned To Write Backwards, this song is about late night desperation and a relationship fraught with tension. The song is sparsely arranged to great effect. This band was quite an accidental find, and I’m they’re one of my favourites. Great driving music.
5. Elliott Smith | Alameda
From the 8-track-recorded Either/Or. I must admit that I am yet another person who after hearing Elliott decided to pick up a guitar and write songs. His music has been constantly playing since I first heard it 10 years ago. At that time I was in highschool and mostly listened to grindcore. I have to admit that I found Elliott much more interesting and gratifying. What I like about his playing the most is an honesty and great ear for melody. Alameda goes along at a walking pace, beginning with a melodic finger-picked guitar accompanied by drums, and the introduction of the bass and electric guitar overdubs after the first chorus kicks the song into full gear. There is nothing superfluous in the arrangement, however as with all of Elliott’s songs Alameda can be stripped down to just voice and guitar and will not lose any of its rare beauty.
6. Rory Gallagher | Philby
From Deuce. Rory Gallagher LPs have been around the house since I was a kid, but along with the other records my parents owned it was barely ever played. It was a really amazing experience when I got around to discovering the vinyl we had lying around. One day I played a Rory Gallagher out of curiosity. And I was really taken by it. You could categorize his music as folk-blues, lead Rory’s licks on an overdriven Stratocaster, typical of many bands in the 1970s. There’s something unspoken in his music that really got to me though, which is probably says a lot given that I had no clue what to expect.There is something magical in that moment of hearing a song or record that gets inside of you. All guitar playing aside, Philby is one of my favourite Rory songs specifically for its lyrical content. It’s a spy story with dark undertones, the delivery of the line… I’ve got a stranger in my soul always gets me.
7. The Kinks | Love Me Until The Sun Shines
From the record Something Else. What I particularly love about the Kinks is the obvious difference between the writing styles of the brothers Ray and Dave Davies. Ray wrote most of the band’s idiosyncratic hits that have stood the test of time. On the other hand, Dave’s songs appear rather infrequently in Kinks early records, but have an edge lacking in the former. Love me until The Sun shines” is one of those songs, unapologetically in your face, loose-to-super-loose. Also, the recordings of The Kinks at this time are unpolished, almost primitive compared to those made by contemporaries Led Zeppelin and The Beatles. But they have a lot of personality that really gets under your skin after repeated listens.
8. Boards Of Canada | Kiani Industries
My good friend got me into BOC years ago, but only lately has my fascination with them increased. Like many other people, I imagine, listening to a Boards song amounts to a something like a musically transcendent experience. That sounds pretty stupid, doesn’t it? Regardless I’m a big fan of this duo for their ability to use a combination of electronic and analog sources to produce voices of incredible timbre... This song is one of the few interludes from the album Music Has The Right To Children; a step sequenced synth line with modulation that wraps around on itself that concludes with a strange woodwind-like analog recording.
9. Fugazi | Nightshop
From The Argument. What? Why haven’t people been screaming from the mountaintops about this album? It’s almost been a decade since its release and for me the track-order of The Argument stands in its entirety as a great piece of music, well if you’re into intellectualizing postpunk. Nightshop will give you what you need.
10. Mary Lou Lord | 43
Mary Lou Lord doing Elliott Smith. The cycle is complete. I am an admirer of her voice, it's so bittersweet.
FLIGHT CLUB IS NO MORE
Closed due to budget zero since first show and general lack of interest.
It was my decision.
WARMER MIXTAPES #254 | by Louise Quinn of A Band Called Quinn
1. The Jesus And Mary Chain | Some Candy Talking
I grew up in East Kilbride where The Jesus And Mary Chain are from. I went to a Catholic High School there; St. Brides but hung around with some students from Calderwood high. They were indie kids and friends of Linda Reid - little sister to Jim & William. They introduced me to her at The Ballerup Hall Disco - I put my hand out to shake her hand?! She either didn't see because of her fringe or was too cool to shake my hand. Recently William recorded with The Pastels in our flat - I was still a bit star struck!
2. T. Rex | Cosmic Dancer
I used to go to Paddy's Market in Glasgow on a Saturday - a big flea market that was great for vintage clothes shopping & picking up records. I bought a T. Rex record there & started wearing fringed clothing immediately. It reminds me of my best friend at the time Angela - we used to walk round East Kilbride late at night singing songs & riding around in shopping trolleys.
3. The Pixies | Gigantic
Kim Deal is a total hero of mine. I saw them there recently at The SECC and they were fantastic - even though they insisted on playing all their B sides first...
4. Portishead | Glory Box
Reminds me of coming home from The Sub Club in Glasgow & being in love...
5. Maxi Geil! & PlayColt | Message To My Audience
Met this Brooklyn based band through MySpace a few years back & got them to play at Club Tromolo in Glasgow. They are amazing & we are lucky enough to have vocalist Guy Richards Smit appear on our new album The Beggar's Opera. They have toured with the Scissor Sisters - why they are not as big or bigger than them completely confounds me...
6. David Bowie | The Cygnet Committee
I was lucky to have siblings who were more than a decade older than me & schooled me in the appreciation of music from the golden age of rock! My brother Peter used to make mix tapes & he played this over & over. He was very good with language - he writes poetry & bins it (a real shame) & used to dissect the lyrics...
7. MGMT | Time To Pretend
This was one of the opening tracks for the theatre production of The Beggar's Opera by Vanishing Point we were in last year so I have fond memories of that. I think it's a great album & I love the attitude of this song. We were fated to pretend is a line a lot of artists can relate to - you feel outside of that whole kids/ 9-5/ life insurance/ job security thing. The creative life is a risky one & you just have to accept it & roll with it...
8. Nico | I'll Keep It With Mine
Chelsea Girls is a beautiful album. My good friend Mr. Tich gave me Songs They Don't Play On The Radio to read which I thoroughly enjoyed & made me totally empathize with Nico. This record captures Nico's voice so well; it's so raw & you can hear all the rough edges in her voice and the beauty.
9. The Shins | Turn On Me
I love the melody in this song. I listened to it a lot when I came out of The Burnsong House - a songwriting house I was in for a week with Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub, Jo Mango, Nuala Kennedy, Roddy Woomble (Idlewild), Midge Ure, Ziggy Campbell (Found) and Lisa Marie. I like the theme of being a bit too trusting & naive around people & getting your fingers burned (ouch!)...
10. The Stranglers | Hanging Around
Inherited from my older brothers Peter & Shug again. They were punks & used to play this all the time. It was one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar & inspired me to wear a bikers jacket! This is my cop a 'tude song...
WARMER MIXTAPES #253 | by Michael Philip Bridgewater [Waskerley Way]
1. ONSIND | Heterosexuality Is A Construct
ONSIND happen to be good friends of mine, but even if they weren't I'd mention them because they're incredible. They are a two piece acoustic punk band, which isn't nearly as awkward sounding as you might imagine. This song is the first on their new record and it serves as a call to arms of sorts. The lyrics are bang on too - Nathan is definitely the best lyricist I can think of.
2. My Bloody Valentine | Sometimes
I think Loveless is a flawless album and Sometimes is my favourite song on it despite not being the most well known or biggest sounding. The buzzy guitar tone is perfect and compliments Kevin Shields' lamenting, defeated vocals beautifully.
3. Dreams | Swimming In Pink Waters
This is my friend João from Porto, Portugal. We haven't actually met in person but we stay in touch and share music over the Internet. He let me remix this song, Swimming In Pink Waters. I prefer his version.
4. Black Flag | My War
Punk rock will always be important to me, but I always find myself wading through loads of rubbish stuff to get to the stuff I like. My War is a perfect example of the stuff I like, though I wish the production of this recording was punchier.
5. Hank And Pigeon | Put Out The Fire
Hank And Pigeon are another two piece acoustic outfit that I like, this time from New York. I was lucky enough to play with them in Brooklyn back in March and I can comfortably assert that they make some of the most beguiling music I've ever heard.
6. Pissed Jeans | Spent
Pissed Jeans are amazing. If I'm having a bad day I usually play a song of theirs and it cheers me up within a minute. This song is really slow and lethargic – very tense and frustrated at the beginning but later on it lurches into an enormous riff as the guy screams about how lousy his life is. Perhaps I ought to be concerned that this sort of thing cheers me up.
7. Elliott Smith | Alameda
I'm a reformed Elliott-oholic, but I have frequent relapses. The guitar playing is kind of jaunty and yet the whole thing sounds incredibly eerie and solemn. I think he knew exactly what he was doing.
8. The Temptations | Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
This might be my favourite song of all time. Everything about it is fantastic - the vocals, the bass line, the wah-wah guitar, the lyrics... it's all great.
9. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti | House Arrest
I listen to lots of Ariel Pink so I think I ought to mention a song of his. This particular one doesn't seem to want to stay still; there are tempo changes everywhere, it's almost Beefheart-esque. The bit at the beginning where someone leaves Ariel a disgruntled answering machine message for not paying his parking tickets is hilarious.
10. Michael Jackson | Bad
I wouldn't consider myself to be a particularly big fan, but this song is just devastating. A few months ago I was hanging around at my friends' house and we put on the Bad record at the wrong (faster) speed – it sounded so frantic and brilliant.
WARMER MIXTAPES #252 | by Dan Solo and Miles Copeland of The Superimposers
1. Syd Barrett | Octopus
The first Pink Floyd album is great but there's a certain cracked beauty to Syd's solo stuff. Octopus is arguably the stand out track taken from the album, The Madcap Laughs. Syd's vocal delivery and his guitar playing has got a unique, twisted feel to it and the oddly disjointed rhythm section gives the track an irresistible edge. Syd's method of recording the vocals and rhythm guitar before rather than after the the drums and bass is one of the key ingredients that go towards creating Syd's sound on record. Syd was becoming more and more cracked at this point so in a way there's a certain sympathetic value to his music, you can't help but feel some compassion for the man yet at the same time he's still got it in him to pull out a corker like Octopus. Also, lyrically, he's in a field of his own.
2. Connan Mockasin | Megumi The Milky Way
Connan Mockasin is like a cross between Kate Bush and Ziggy Stardust (sort of) only hailing from New Zealand as opposed to Mars. Psychedelic? Maybe, it feels a bit lazy to tag a man as mysterious and unusual as Mr. Mockasin with such a pigeon hole, but it's quite a fair description. If the Cure's first appearance happened today, music hacks would be saying the same thing, seeing how the word seems to be generously used these days to describe slightly odd music. From the moment we first heard Connan's dark yet light, happy, odd underground Brazilian-esque, pop record we were hooked... What the hell is he singing about?... We're not sure but it doesn''t really matter at the end of the day because the groove and melody is so infectious that you sing along anyway, mimicking those Brazilian rubbing sounds he mouths with happy abandon. Megumi sounds like some lost, crazed Velvet Undergroud session recorded in some back street, Manchester rehearsal studio, backed with Gilberto Gil and his band. If it wasn't for Connan's innocent nature and humorous, artistic approach, perhaps this album wouldn't have come across the way it does to us but then, maybe it would have? Well, who knows but It's worth checking out a mini documentary piece on Connan's MySpace page which we initially watched whilst getting over his video to It's Choade My Dear: Connan lying in a low river tide, lemon slices resting on his eyes, surrounded by lemons, muddy painted face and brilliant bleached hair. It'll explain a lot and you'll get a good feel for the bands ideals watching these short films and like us, will be eager to hear what's coming next.
3. Rotary Connection | Magical World
Perhaps one of the Mod-i-est pieces of music ever made from a purest point of view. The Who, The Kinks or The Small Faces would struggle to get close to achieving the elegant soulful strut of Magical World. Sidney Barnes and friends take us on an intense, beautiful trip of extraordinary calm and beauty. Minnie Riperton's heart felt performance and lyrical imagery paints a water colour of sweet flowers, beautiful dreams, far away islands and yellow submarines, whilst Charles Stepney's gorgeous orchestral arrangements, pizzicato strings, oboe and flugel horns take us through a beautiful, dreamlike journey which makes you want to never return from. A stride through the city streets, iPod firmly in ears almost creates the perfect back drop for this song. This is a track full of grandeur and reflection, unchallenged by most bands of its era yet almost undiscovered in relation to the time of its release, if it wasn't for the people In The Know, who helped kick start a fan base that it seems was thin on the ground around the time of it's conception.
4. The Beatles | I'm Only Sleeping
When the Beatles musical heads started to expand, something changed in their music. Musically and lyrically, their attitude and outlook started to reflect a changing world. Gone were the I Love You's, and the Love Me Do's from the early days, now you had songs about Taxmen and fictional characters called Eleanor. The Beatles wanted to be taken more seriously by this point, they wanted to establish themselves as artists as well as serious musicians. They stopped touring and started to pour their time into creating masterpieces in the studio. You can really hear this new change in I'm Only Sleeping and it really does sounds like an archetypical Beatles recording. The pitch shifts to the backing tracks make this song feel and sound lazy and stoned. Lennon's vocals are almost Lysergic. The delivery is effortless and already you can hear glimmers of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds in his voice. This is pure Beatles and Sgt. Pepper is just around the corner.
5. Ennio Morricone | Matto, Caldo, Soldi, Morto...Girotondo
Of the seemingly hundreds of albums it seems that Ennio Morricone has made, the LP Vergogna Schifosi is arguably one of his finest with vinyl copies now exchanging hands for large amounts of money (that's if you can find one first). There is a running theme on this 1968 Italian soundtrack LP with four of the six tracks interpreting a single piece of music which peaks with Matto, Caldo, Soldi, Morto...Girotondo. Each interpretation varies in mood and tempo with the final Reprise taking in almost every element of its predecessors. The looping, childlike, chanted vocals create an innocent yet persistent hook as if to enforce the message, whilst the feel of the descending bass line takes on the form of a melodic anchor that prevents the chiming melodies and strings from spinning off into an otherworldly place. If ever a mood was needed to form an alliance of hope and unity then perhaps this track could be that movements anthem. Magical stuff.
6. Brian Wilson | Till I Die (Original Version)
Officially this should be listed as a Beach Boys track but as this version was rejected by The Boys in favour of a chirpier edit (if that's possible) for the album Surf's Up, then this makes Till I Die, ultimately a Brian Wilson solo song. And a heartbreaker it is too. Recorded at a time when Brian was possibly his least happiest by all accounts, Till I Die is a classic in the way that the recording is constructed. Beginning with a stark bass line, the music builds, beautiful vibe melodies, shuffling rhythms, then the vocals hit you out of know where. And beautiful they are too, soaring and achingly emotional. The music seems to almost disappear from here on in, that's how it seems although your still conscious of the melody running underneath the vocal. The 'album' version of this song seems to have lost something during its production and editing process. Luckily the release of Endless Harmony gave the public a chance to hear it in its former glory which up until that point only appeared on the occasional bootleg release.
7. Willie Wright | Oh Boy
Willie Wright is a Folk/Gospel singer and only made one album as far as we're aware, entitled I Sing Folk Songs. Not to be confused with Will Wright of the 40's. One of the stand out tracks has to be Oh Boy, a beautiful and haunting song, very graceful in its initial delivery, rising up midway to an almost exasperating point then calming down again for the outro. All the tracks on the album are recordings mainly of Willie's guitar and voice, yet his passion and lyrics make up for any lack of instrumentation. There's a real busking feel to the way he performs, quite aggressive guitar playing in places, he certainly knows how to feel it. The album was released on Saga Records in 1962, the manufacturers of Dandy Children's Records. There are quite a few child like, story telling songs on this album and a few Folk standards or Trad arrangements but Oh Boy hits the spot every time.
8. Position Normal | Pepay Pepememimo
We love all of Position Normal's work with this track taken from the album Stop Your Nonsense which for us was an early introduction to their weird and wonderful world. There's a real warmth to their recordings created by a mixture of rambling instrumental pieces, spoken word and sampled music loops. This band was quite an influence on early Superimposers demos, the way obscure samples can help to create an initial vibe for a track in the early song writing process. Alot of the tracks on this album tend to feature some quite intense sound collages. There's alot of humour wrapped up in what Position Normal do, quite subtle in a way. Even the guitar hooks have the ability to make you laugh in places. Playful music to submerge yourself in. A fascinating listening experience that never becomes tiring.
9. Shuggie Otis | Strawberry Letter 23
If there was ever a perfect 3 minutes and 55 secs worth of music committed to tape then Strawberry Letter 23 would certainly be in the running. From the moment Shuggie strikes that opening chord along with those uplifting, chiming bells, the happiest melody but deepest groove emerges. This was first heard back in the days of going clubbing at Dingwalls in Camden Town on a Sunday afternoon back in the late 80's - early 90's. It is ultimately a Country Soul song crossed with a pure dance Soul Funk vibe very similar to the work of Eugene McDaniels. Taken from the untouchable LP Inspiration Information, Shuggie wrote and performed pretty much everything, even scored the strings himself which is no mean feat for any songwriter. You wonder whether Shuggie controlled the phaser of the arpeggio guitar riff too, very probable considering the man's gift for arrangement and sonic vision and if so, it's just another element of surprise which brings to a close a pure slice of Perfect Pop. Once again, magical and purely inspirational.
10. Harry Nilsson | Everybody's Talkin' (Fred Neil Cover)
Harry is a legend and a gent, in our eyes anyway. The man had a beautiful voice and a talent for writing addictive pop tunes through to crooning classics that stand up till this day. There are many great Harry songs we could have listed but this is a cover, ironically of the Fred Neil song, Everybody's Talkin', which is the sound of someone really doing justice to an already great song. This track was of course used in the film Midnight Cowboy, particularly for the opening credits of the film. The music just digs its heels in from the off with that soulful, country groove and then Harry's vocals just drop in softly over the top taking lead with a song that he performs so heart felt and true to his craft. This is a natural sing along and you croon to it too. You can hear it now... Everybody's talking at me, I don't hear a word they're saying..., so smooth. If there are any true duds in Harry's catalogue then so be it but Harry was like a modern day Frank Sinatra at heart and really felt the songs he was singing, his delivery is never lacking in devotion and for that, we take our hats off to you Harry, thank you for the music.
WARMER MIXTAPES #251 | by Aaron Cunningham of Neon Vision and Drumatix Six
1. Drexciya | Hydro Theory
This song reminds me of driving past the giant steel mills in Hamilton, my hometown. The steel mills have giant smoke stacks with flames shooting out the top and the sounds of machines making steel in the distance. R.I.P James “Drexciya” Stinson
2. Freestyle | It's Automatic
I love everything about this song. I got into break dancing when I was 8 years old, and this kinda music was pure magic to my ears! When I hear this song, I am transported to when I was an 8 year old boy, dancing in my basement!
3. Toots & The Maytals | 54-46 (That's My Number)
Rudeboys, as well as the fashion and music that came out of England during this generation, will always resonate strongly in my heart.
4. Gary Numan | M.E.
Gary Numan is the greatest! Isolation summed up in an amazing song.
5. Drumatix Six | I Sold My Soul For Robot Control
I love my music, I don't think it is the best, but it is exactly what I want to hear! I hope others feel the same way! This song is about my disappointment with how we as a species are treating each other and the planet.
6. Barrington Levy | Black Roses
Reggae is powerful music! Songs of revolution, make me want to be a better man!
7. Model 500 | No UFO's
As a teenager I had a picture of Juan Atkins on my wall, for motivation. Love this track!
8. Salem | Skullcrush
When I listen to this song on my mp3 player, it makes me hold my head high, as I walk past the local crack heads and general mayhem of the city.
9. UK Subs | Warhead
I was a punk first. This song reminds me of my teenage years, skateboarding the local half-pipe or chasing after girls!
10. I-F | I Do Because I Couldn't Care Less
My life the year this album came out was amazing. Electro was gaining strength, and this was my anthem! Fuck The World!
WARMER MIXTAPES #250 | by Hugo G and James L of Flight Facilities
SIDE A | by Hugo G
1. Cat Stevens | Peace Train/Where Do The Children Play
It reminds me of when I was young. I grew up listening to a lot of Cat Stevens because of Dad. Recently I've been listening to it more than ever. I just got to see him in concert so that was pretty special too.
2. Harry Belafonte | Jamaica Farewell
There was a best of Harry Bellafonte CD that was always on repeat when I was younger. About a year ago my brother sent me the link to this song and I'd forgotten about it. Gives me good memories from when I was still in single digits.
3. Billy Joel | For The Longest Time/River Of Dreams
Again I have my parents to thank for this. I still listen to way-too-much Billy Joel and he's definitely one of my favourite artists. These are my two favourites. I couldn't narrow it down. He was the first artist I ever saw in concert and have since seen him again once. I think he was one of those guys that I had to like or face adoption.
4. Alexis Weissenberg | Debussy: Suite Bergamasque, L 75 - Claire De Lune
The title in itself is a mouthful. I love the piano. It's probably my favourite instrument. This is just an incredible display of music and I don't think I'm capable of ever getting sick of it.
5. Bee Gees | You Win Again
There are too many good Bee Gees songs to list. I forgot about You Win Again for years but dug it up again when I left school. This one just reminds me of a particular insignificant moment but it's one that makes me happy.
6. Sébastien Tellier | Pomme/Roche/La Ritournelle
Sexuality is, in my opinion, one of the best albums released in my lifetime (so far). I've listened to it so many times. Pomme and Roche are such amazing tracks from it. I couldn't leave out La Ritournelle though. I first heard it when I started becoming interested in djing and the whole music scene and it blew my mind. It was early in the morning after a closing party. There were about 4 of us and the record needle was reset at least 6 times and nobody said a word (probably because it was such a big night - either way, it's definitely something I won't forget).
7. Roy Orbison | You Got It/Dream Baby/Only The Lonely
This is just another 'I grew up on it' answer. It's pretty funny how much of an effect listening to music when you're younger can have on you. Roy Orbison was on repeat in my house and still is to this day. Writing all this down makes me realise that my music taste makes me look like a 60 year old man.
8. David Bowie | Magic Dance
David Bowie also has too many classics to name. I love Magic Dance for the same reason I'm sure so many others love it. It was in the movie Labyrinth, a childhood favourite. I didn't even know what a David Bowie was when I was watching the movie at that age. I've grown to love the song even more over time because of the film. The fact that it was Bowie only makes it even more awesome. I really want to watch it again.
9. Paul McCartney | We All Stand Together (The Frog Song)
I have English parents so I had a heavy Beatles/Wings influence. It also meant that I used to watch Rupert Bear. I had an animation on video of Rupert visiting a cave and seeing a frog concert. I watched it more times than I can count and now, the old traditional animation is always playing in my head when I hear the song. I didn't find out til I was about 16 that it was a Paul and Linda McCartney song. Pretty simply, watching that video is another old, happy memory. I'm unable to single out any less than 5 Beatles or Wings songs so I chose this instead.
10. Daft Punk | Something About Us/Veridis Quo/Around The World
I figured my list should involve a dance music influence so I picked the guys that have stood the test of time in the world's most fickle industry. They're the best at it. Around The World is probably the best dance song ever made and Something About Us & Veridis Quo are two beautiful pieces of electronic music. Discovery is, I think, another of the best albums released in my short existence. I think Interstellar 5555 made it far better too. I can't believe it took me so long to watch it.
1. Ludwig Van Beethoven | Moonlight Sonata
This was the first real piece of music I fell in love with. It was the song that my kindergarten would play at nap time, all the other kids would go to sleep but I would stay up and listen to the song on repeat.
2. Cyndi Lauper | Girls Just Want To Have Fun
I found it one day in a tape player in my sisters room and stole it. Don't judge I didn't know any better. Maybe my first encounter with dance music...
3. Chris Rea | Josephine
This was my favorite song on the mixtapes my parents made me for long car trips. If I knew it was a love song back then I would have thrown the tape out of the window.
4. George Michael | Killer/Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
I found this song on a tape in the middle of the street. I was obsessed with this song for a year I think. If Girls Just Want To Have Fun was my first encounter with dance music, this song sealed
the deal.
5. John Farnham | Age Of Reason
Recently ive been playing an extended dub version of this song. It's amazing. We have defiantly referenced some elements of this song in some of our remixes.
6. Coolio | Gangsters Paradise
My parents used to make me go to bed pretty early so before I bought this song on tape I used to have to wait up as quiet as I could be in my room and listen to it on the radio countdown. It was always #1 so I would have to wait till the end of the show to hear it.
7. The Smashing Pumpkins | 1979
This song and its film clip are perfect. To me, it sums up a feeling of freedom. It's the perfect driving song.
8. Daft Punk | Rollin' & Scratchin'/Revolution 909
Obviously Around The World got my attention first but then I heard Revolution 909 and I couldn't understand how such a repetitive song with no words could have so much vibe. Then I heard Rollin' & Scratchin' and I had never heard anything like that in my life, it was so violent but it had a purpose and a place and I loved it.
9. Radiohead | Paranoid Android/All I Need
Radiohead are stupidly good. They are one of those bands that has shaped our generations music progression and these 2 songs are perfect examples. One is great with amazing instruments and guitar leads while the other just has a few instruments and a synth bass-line. Both have amazing structure and feel. Tom Yorke is a freak.
10. Interpol | Rest My Chemistry
Great band, great sound, great song.
+11. Talking Heads | This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
I'm cheating and I don't care... The lyrics so fucking good. Take a way to say something, reverse it, then make it twice as clever and lovely.
Choosing 10 favourites was too hard so I coupled some songs with artists. I tried to look at it from the point of view: If I had to
carry the same songs around on my iPod forever, what would they be?... I'm 90% positive I've left off so many songs I love but this is what came to me at the time.
carry the same songs around on my iPod forever, what would they be?... I'm 90% positive I've left off so many songs I love but this is what came to me at the time.
1. Cat Stevens | Peace Train/Where Do The Children Play
It reminds me of when I was young. I grew up listening to a lot of Cat Stevens because of Dad. Recently I've been listening to it more than ever. I just got to see him in concert so that was pretty special too.
2. Harry Belafonte | Jamaica Farewell
There was a best of Harry Bellafonte CD that was always on repeat when I was younger. About a year ago my brother sent me the link to this song and I'd forgotten about it. Gives me good memories from when I was still in single digits.
3. Billy Joel | For The Longest Time/River Of Dreams
Again I have my parents to thank for this. I still listen to way-too-much Billy Joel and he's definitely one of my favourite artists. These are my two favourites. I couldn't narrow it down. He was the first artist I ever saw in concert and have since seen him again once. I think he was one of those guys that I had to like or face adoption.
4. Alexis Weissenberg | Debussy: Suite Bergamasque, L 75 - Claire De Lune
The title in itself is a mouthful. I love the piano. It's probably my favourite instrument. This is just an incredible display of music and I don't think I'm capable of ever getting sick of it.
5. Bee Gees | You Win Again
There are too many good Bee Gees songs to list. I forgot about You Win Again for years but dug it up again when I left school. This one just reminds me of a particular insignificant moment but it's one that makes me happy.
6. Sébastien Tellier | Pomme/Roche/La Ritournelle
Sexuality is, in my opinion, one of the best albums released in my lifetime (so far). I've listened to it so many times. Pomme and Roche are such amazing tracks from it. I couldn't leave out La Ritournelle though. I first heard it when I started becoming interested in djing and the whole music scene and it blew my mind. It was early in the morning after a closing party. There were about 4 of us and the record needle was reset at least 6 times and nobody said a word (probably because it was such a big night - either way, it's definitely something I won't forget).
7. Roy Orbison | You Got It/Dream Baby/Only The Lonely
This is just another 'I grew up on it' answer. It's pretty funny how much of an effect listening to music when you're younger can have on you. Roy Orbison was on repeat in my house and still is to this day. Writing all this down makes me realise that my music taste makes me look like a 60 year old man.
8. David Bowie | Magic Dance
David Bowie also has too many classics to name. I love Magic Dance for the same reason I'm sure so many others love it. It was in the movie Labyrinth, a childhood favourite. I didn't even know what a David Bowie was when I was watching the movie at that age. I've grown to love the song even more over time because of the film. The fact that it was Bowie only makes it even more awesome. I really want to watch it again.
9. Paul McCartney | We All Stand Together (The Frog Song)
I have English parents so I had a heavy Beatles/Wings influence. It also meant that I used to watch Rupert Bear. I had an animation on video of Rupert visiting a cave and seeing a frog concert. I watched it more times than I can count and now, the old traditional animation is always playing in my head when I hear the song. I didn't find out til I was about 16 that it was a Paul and Linda McCartney song. Pretty simply, watching that video is another old, happy memory. I'm unable to single out any less than 5 Beatles or Wings songs so I chose this instead.
10. Daft Punk | Something About Us/Veridis Quo/Around The World
I figured my list should involve a dance music influence so I picked the guys that have stood the test of time in the world's most fickle industry. They're the best at it. Around The World is probably the best dance song ever made and Something About Us & Veridis Quo are two beautiful pieces of electronic music. Discovery is, I think, another of the best albums released in my short existence. I think Interstellar 5555 made it far better too. I can't believe it took me so long to watch it.
SIDE B | by James L
I went about this a different way, I didn't give myself much time to think so it would only be the songs that have made the most memorable impact on my musical life. I have definitely forgotten a lot of songs but I'm sure they don't mind...
1. Ludwig Van Beethoven | Moonlight Sonata
This was the first real piece of music I fell in love with. It was the song that my kindergarten would play at nap time, all the other kids would go to sleep but I would stay up and listen to the song on repeat.
2. Cyndi Lauper | Girls Just Want To Have Fun
I found it one day in a tape player in my sisters room and stole it. Don't judge I didn't know any better. Maybe my first encounter with dance music...
3. Chris Rea | Josephine
This was my favorite song on the mixtapes my parents made me for long car trips. If I knew it was a love song back then I would have thrown the tape out of the window.
4. George Michael | Killer/Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
I found this song on a tape in the middle of the street. I was obsessed with this song for a year I think. If Girls Just Want To Have Fun was my first encounter with dance music, this song sealed
the deal.
5. John Farnham | Age Of Reason
Recently ive been playing an extended dub version of this song. It's amazing. We have defiantly referenced some elements of this song in some of our remixes.
6. Coolio | Gangsters Paradise
My parents used to make me go to bed pretty early so before I bought this song on tape I used to have to wait up as quiet as I could be in my room and listen to it on the radio countdown. It was always #1 so I would have to wait till the end of the show to hear it.
7. The Smashing Pumpkins | 1979
This song and its film clip are perfect. To me, it sums up a feeling of freedom. It's the perfect driving song.
8. Daft Punk | Rollin' & Scratchin'/Revolution 909
Obviously Around The World got my attention first but then I heard Revolution 909 and I couldn't understand how such a repetitive song with no words could have so much vibe. Then I heard Rollin' & Scratchin' and I had never heard anything like that in my life, it was so violent but it had a purpose and a place and I loved it.
9. Radiohead | Paranoid Android/All I Need
Radiohead are stupidly good. They are one of those bands that has shaped our generations music progression and these 2 songs are perfect examples. One is great with amazing instruments and guitar leads while the other just has a few instruments and a synth bass-line. Both have amazing structure and feel. Tom Yorke is a freak.
10. Interpol | Rest My Chemistry
Great band, great sound, great song.
+11. Talking Heads | This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
I'm cheating and I don't care... The lyrics so fucking good. Take a way to say something, reverse it, then make it twice as clever and lovely.
WARMER MIXTAPES #249 | by Patrick Loggins [Time Wharp]
Ten songs that have absolutely no relation to each other.
1. Chick Corea and Bobby McFerrin | Spain
Possibly the best rendition of this song ever. A lot of people find Bobby McFerrin gimmicky. Listen to this and be proven wrong. McFerrin has complete and total freedom in the scales; he's just having fun. Chick is (as usual) on-point and at the same time completely counteracting Bobby. a show of musicianship that's hard to find these days.
2. Battles | DANCE
I decided to choose this track over the other ones on the EP for the specific way they channel the energy. Unlike some of the super-groovy, downtempo-yet-doubletime tracks on the two Battles EPs, this one is just goofy. John Stanier never ceases to amaze me. Seriously, this guy is a robot.
3. James Blake | I'll Stay
The way he creates space between those tiny blips of the whole band hits something sound and the razor-sharp cutting of the breathy vocals creates tension that can be enjoyed at multiple head-nodding tempos. FRACTALS.
4. Art Tatum | Tiger Rag
Terrifying arpeggio drops. You think he's gonna crash and burn the whole time but it always lands back on the beat. He's even experimenting with some rhythmic ideas that funk would later embrace, like coming back in on the 2. Wack.
5. Deradoorian | You Carry The Deed
Beautiful vocal performance from the most beautiful girl in
6. Flying Lotus | First Friday Funk (unreleased)
This was one of the [adult swim] bumpers. Just listen, no need to explain how talented this guy is and has been for some time.
7. Mr. Bungle | Goodbye Sober Day
Sophomore year of high school in a nutshell. I can understand people not getting Mr. Bungle… But monk chants transitioning to sludge metal kind of speaks for itself.
8. Jaga Jazzist | Jaga Ist Zu Hause
I want to see this played in a small room.
9. Igor Stravinsky | Le Sacre Du Printemps - Première Partie: L'adoration de la Terre
Bombastic evilfunk.
10. Slim Gaillard | Potato Chips
I found this on the Super Size Me soundtrack. The entire time it sounds like he's singing through the world's biggest smile; a joyful listen.
+11. Vanilla | '66
New beat music artist I found on Tumblr. He's got the chops.
I believe the music you listen intensely between say 7 to 16 years old will always inform and inspire the music you make, whether you aim at it or not. It forms your musical backbone, melodic sense and language and from there you can go on and encounter new, exciting, frighting and different musical landscapes and broaden you taste. But the backbone will still be there and you can always go back to it.
First...
Blasts From The Past!
1. ELO | Turns To Stone
One of the first records in my dad's pretty small collection which caught my attention was ELO's Out Of The Blue, mainly I think because of the amazing cover. A big spaceship! And this was glorious vinyl of course!! I fantasized about how the members of the group might actually live in it and went home after kindergarden and sat with these huge headphones and just looked at the fold-out-cover numbstruck! The music was larger than life too. Overproduced maybe, but rich in melodies and perfect for the start of a deeper investigation of popmusic. I still dj this song! And oh, I also was into ABBA. I am swedish remember and born in the 70's.
2. The Beatles | I'll Be Back
I have to be honest and say I owe them everything. If one band changed my life it was them. Because of them I started playing guitar and write songs. Through them I got interested in Dylan, Beach Boys, Byrds, Motown, Stax, Kinks, rockabilly, indian music, folk and much more music in different styles. They spurred my broader interest in music so too speak. I wanted to play the same guitars as them (still do) and look like them (still kind of do)... And whether you like it or not, Beatles is the start of what you call guitarpop... (Or is that Buddy Holly??)... But I've known their music too well to actually listen to them much the last 10-15 years. But recently someone put on Abbey Road in the van during a tour. And I did'nt like it at all apart from 2-3 songs!! And I'm not very fond of Sgt. Pepper either. So I had to check up some other albums again. The early stuff like A Hard Day's Night and For Sale still feels superfresh and not overplayed. It's more pop and rock'n'roll and less boringly pretentious like some of the later stuff. And even though they put out a lot of crap they also put out a lot of b-sides and album tracks that actually holds up better than some of their hits. Like this beauty. The way they go from major to minor is just like heaven!
3. The Housemartins | Think For A Minute
When I was around 10 years old I basically only listened to Beatles and other 60's music. Then I saw a tv-documentary about a goofy, nerdish fourpiece from the northern english city of Hull. They had the same haircut as I had at the time and like me their faces were full of pimples. So of course I liked them straight ahead! But the music was pretty decent too and still is (check out their videos, wonderful dancesteps!!)... And it was exciting to like a current group, so you could pop out and buy their singles when they where brand new! I saved up my pocketmoney so I would always have enough when a new one was due. Their lyrics was full of socially conscious discussions politically situated to the left. And even though I just had started to learn english, I think they influenced my thinking. Thanks!
4. Elvis Costello & The Attractions | Man Out Of Time
Maybe because he looked like the guitarplayer in The Housemartins or maybe because
he had written songs with Paul McCartney. In any case I started collecting Elvis Costello-records when I was around 13. When I was 24 (I think) he released a terrible record with Ann Sophie Von Otter and since then I haven't payed him any attention at all. But together with Beatles and Dylan, he might be the artist who have influenced my writing the most. And especially the stuff he made between 1977-82 is still pretty flawless, inventive and classic at the same time... The Attractions was an awesome back-up-band. And I love his knowledge and passion and love of all kinds of music. I guess if The Beatles are my Elvis and The Go-Betweens are my Smiths, Costello is my Springsteen. Does that make sense? And this is his Like A rolling Stone.
5. Teenage Fanclub | The Past
In my early teens I started catching blurry psychedelic videos on tv of young boys with guitars and a long fringe in front of their eyes. I started checking up Stone Roses, Ride, funky drumming etc. and more often distorted my guitar. My mother's cousin came home from London and brought a copy of Bandwagonesque with her. And Teenage Fanclub became my new favourites pretty quick. Still today if they put out a new record I'll go and buy it. Generally I prefer my favourites to change and evolve. With the Fanclub I rather just wish they stay exactly like they are, just refining and confirming what they already do so well. Because every fifth year you need a welcoming warm familiar hug from an old friend!
6. Smokey Robinson | I Second That Emotion
I remember when I was 14 years old and Nirvana had just released Nevermind. It was a big thing at the youthclub I used to hang around at after school. I had a couple of alternative looking friends who blasted the record on full volume and we all headbanged our way through the whole thing. I quite liked it. Then the guys asked me what kind of music I listened to and I took out my best of-cd of The Miracles and sang Tracks Of My Tears for them. They quite liked that too. And I have kept on listening to Smokey quite often ever since. A lot more so than Nirvana. But that goes without saying.
7. House Of Love | Girl With The Loneliest Eyes
In high school I had a crush on a girl who loved this band. So I bought one of their records. I quickly forgot her, but I still love this song. Perfectly hazy, foggy, dreamy, melancholy pop. Great guitars!
8. Eggstone | Wrong Heaven
In the early 90's in Sweden we had our first wave of swedish indie bands
of which Wannadies and Cardigans became the most famous. They called it swindie. Eggstone didn't quite fit in. They still really don't. For me they were the perfect band. They were like a summary of everything I had listened to up until then. In technicolor! Without caring if things really fitted together or not. Playful and all over the place. It took a while to warm up to that first record In San Diego with its rough-round-the-edges-soft-in-the-middle-sound. But after a while I understood I had seen the light! It was also inspirational that they were just a three-piece, rocking with straight away energy and loud guitar on stage and then being smoother and more experimental with all kinds of weird overdubs in the studio. That sowed a seed for PBJ I'm pretty sure! And now Per (the singer) is producing our new record in their studio. Full circle! Wrong Heaven is a raindrenched bittersweet dream of a popballad and might be one of the most perfect things ever produced in Sweden.
9. Tim Hardin | It'll Never Happen Again
Tim Hardin always works. His two first records are flawless. The way he sings. What he sings. The sound. The vibes (the instrument), the strings, the piano. Works for a dinner party. For staying home alone feeling sorry for yourself. For cuddling up with your better half. Tim always works. And I never tire! Never ever anywhere else have sad music sounded so sad and at the same time so comforting.
10. Little Richard | Send Me Some Lovin'
Cause Little Richard is pure and simple, the shit. Always has been, always will be. When everything else crumbles and falls, Little Richard stands tall.
+11. The Go-Betweens | The Wrong Road
Another perfect popband. And as I said, my The Smiths. An eightes guitar-indie-band with two amazing writers and lyricists. The way they use the words in complete harmony with the music, nothing stands in front of the other, they just help each other on the way to meet the listener and give an everlasting impression. They have so many phrases that linger, creates mystique and atmosphere. Not without humor, but always elegant and melancholic. I discovered them pretty late, in my mid-twenties, but this is grownup stuff so maybe that was just as well.
+12. a-ha | Take On Me
I remembered the first time I saw that cartoon-video. I never was much into synthpop but I did like a-ha secretely. Take On Me might actually be the best popsong ever, but with a pretty terrible lyric. Norway is a weird place but they will always have a-ha! I've covered it live quite a few times, people still go crazy for this!
And then...
Some More Current Favorites That Inspires Me Now
Some More Current Favorites That Inspires Me Now
+13. Caribou | Bowls
Their new album is warm and analog while still being electronic. It sounds fantastic! Live they are actually a full on rockband! And it's pretty amazing that a band got me seriously interested in house music! I never thought that would happen! Give them an award!
+14. Papercuts | Future Primitive
Papercuts (really a guy called Sean) is like Cass McCombs in the category of supertalented people and songwriters who not a lot of people have heard about. I take every chance to spread the word. Papercuts latest album You Can Have What You Want I've listened to A LOT since
I got it in the mailbox. It grows on you. And then grows more. The lo-fi-production, the vocals, the organs, the psychedelic flavour and the melodies that slowly unravels in different shades of blue. It's simply mesmerizing. To me this music now is a boattrip, the ferry between the swedish Island Gotland and the main land this summer. To stand outside in the open air, wind blowing, Sun high, tired but happy.
+15. Avi Buffalo | Whats In It For?
Theese kids could be my kids, they are almost young enough you know. But they could also be my spiritual kids. The nasal voice, the melodic touch, the guitars, the eagerness. Classic popmusic.
+16. William Onyeabor | Better Change Your Mind
Sometimes when you dj, you need to go to the bathroom. At least I do. I have the perfect song for that! This anti-colonial-psych-freak-funk nugget from mid 70's Nigeria, go on for ages but it's never dull or boring. Thoose dusty cardboardbox-drums, that GROOVE, that stupid little organ, everything. Music don't get much better than this. Thank you David Byrne and Luaaka Bop for all the music you helped me find over the years.
+17. Jarvis Jackson | Something I Ain't Never Had
I love distorted, passionate old southern soul-ballads where everything is a matter of life and death and everything is bursting at the seems. And it don't get much more intense and in-your-face-real than this screeching chorus.
+18. Amanas | Khala My Friend
...And The Witch - Strange Dream... Stones Throw is an L.A.-label who specializes in experimental hip-hop and reissues of rare funk. Now they have put out some some seventies Zambi-rock classics. African psychedelic rock sung in english. I love when something theoretically is traditional but puts on a fresh twist that makes you hear thoose drums and guitar in a totally new way, like you've never heard them before. Maybe it's a cultural difference. But people just don't play
pop/rock like this in England or the States even though it's really quite similar. And the production holds up so well. How did they do it?
+19. Soul Survivors | Expressway To Your Heart
I just got this box-set of select cuts from the classic soul label Philadelphia International run by producers/writers Gamble & Huff and with Thom Bell as one of the other important collaborators. After I've been digging deep into grittier soul it felt like coming to a lush heaven of crisp production. But it never gets to slick, it's always on the tasty side. It just sounds so good!! These guys and girls invented disco. But on the way there a lot of groovy and heartwrenching music was made. The whole set kicks off with this funky nugget. And I'm down on the floor gasping for air already. Now I have to dance. Excuse me...
+20. Sonny & The Sunsets | Too Young To Burn
Makes me think of my good friend Stephen, an American who moved to Sweden to live with his swedish wife. He is very clever and funny, likes beer and history and has a great taste in music. I've got so many essential tips from him! A band that sounds like my image of Stephen exists; it's Sonny & The Sunsets!
+21. Milton Naschimento | San Vincente
Cause I had to include a Brazilian track. Brazilian music means a lot to me. The instruments, the rhythms, the vibe, the language (even though I don't get it, it sounds great!)... And this classic will always do the job. Such a beautiful melody, arrangement, everything...
Phew!!
