This all-kinds-of-excellent footage of Hess Is More's live outfit keeps making me return to his new single 'Creation Keeps the Devil Away', but I'm not sold yet. Do you prefer drum-circle-kraut-jazzercise or glacial-disco-pop?
Indulging their love of late 70s/early 80s synth-funk, Greeen Linez is the new collaborative project between Matt Lyne (A Taut Line) and Chris Greenberg from Hong Kong In The 60s. 'Palm Coast Freeway' is taken from their EP forthcoming this summer on Diskotopia.
*Update* As it happens, this track won't be on the EP and is a free download...so here it is!
During a trip to Paris, Montauk listened to three songs incessantly: Kenny Loggins 'This Is It', Ned Doheny 'Get It Up For Love' and Genesis 'Man On The Corner'. These tracks provide the foundation of their new awesomely smooth 'Boys' EP, out now on Sweet Surprise Recordings
Hong Kong In The 60's have collaborated with Tokyo based producer A Taut Line on a new EP of deep, melodica enhanced, dreamy house. The release includes a remix from retro-futuristic duo Royalty, whose own debut EP is released through Five Easy Pieces on 24th February.
Portuguese quartet Gala Drop have just released a cool new four track EP 'Overcoat Heat' via Golf Channel Recordings, from which the beautifully driving 'Drop' is taken.
Good news for Orange Juice fans, Domino are releasing a deluxe 6 CD box set of the band's album output, BBC sessions and extra tracks along with a DVD of videos and live performances. The set hits the streets on 8th November.
The Concretes return with a new album on Something In Construction in November...and they've gone disco. 'Good Evening' is the first listen with three versions up for freeload on their Bandcamp - with this Balearic Eden Rock Version being my pick.
Bit of a departure from the usual re-edit source material. 'How Come That Blood' is the opening track from Sam Amidon's new album 'I Saw The Sign'. It's such an amazing song I didn't want to do too much, just take the groove up a notch or two.
I'm playing records at this night with some of my favourite people: funk trio The Baker Brothers, "the greatest band in the world" Talc and the legend that is Dom Servini. Its in support of The Baker Bros new album 'Avid Sounds', which features versions of some of their (and mine as it happens) favourite songs including: Fly Like An Eagle, Family Tree, Shack Up, Street Player...and more!
Grovesnor, a Proper Songs guest mixer no less, releases his long awaited album 'Soft Return' on 26th April. Updating 70s-80s smooth AM radio pop with modern electronics, the album contains the classic 'Nitemoves' alongside a collection of new songs including the ace 'Steppin Out' homage 'Taxi To The Airport'.
Proper Songs spoke with Chaz Bundick / Toro Y Moi back in July when he mentioned two albums planned on Car Park in 2010. 'Causers Of This' is the first "more dreamy/poppy/new wave" one and builds on the sound that he, fellow South Carolina resident Washed Out and Neon Indian have exported so successfully and rapidly to the world. Despite packing in elements of side-chained French house, the wonky world of hip hop, psychedelic West Coast pop and dreamy indie moments; the ideas are combined in such a crafted manner that it remains coherent throughout. Stand out moments include single 'Blessa' (video below) and the New Jack Swing slap-bass-happy title track. 'Causers Of This' is an accomplished album that bodes well for the future.
Leicester's Neon Circus count Ian Brown, Who Made Who, The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem and DJ Shadow amongst their many influences, which shows in the gritty 00s punk-funk of 'Digit-izm'. Their debut single 'Future Disco' is released early 2010 ahead of an album.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band follow up their debut album with a sackful of remixes by such leading lights as The Glimmers, David E Sugar, Skull Juice, Horsemeat Disco and Prins Thomas who gives us this mammoth version of 'You'll Disappear'.
"Remixes from Morgan Geist and Quiet Village" is the type of subject header that makes me take notice. New artist Jonathan Jeremiah has both provide sterling versions of his forthcoming single 'Happiness' out 2nd Nov on Rosario Records, which also features the wonderful Heritage Orchestra. Geist opts for Yacht-friendly smoothness while QV evoke long forgotten memories of summer (with the help of a sun bed and a copy of 'Sounds of the Ocean Vol 4') with a beautifully string drenched mix.
Washed Out's 'Feel It All Around' was one of my favouritesongs from this summer and its getting a release on 7" in October. *Warning* do not watch this video if you have the end of summer blues, it'll only hurt.
Here's a lovely remix by San Francisco's Windsurf spinoff Hatchback of 'Questions' by Dark Captain Light Captain. Its taken from DCLC's new remix EP, which follows 2008's highly successful debut album 'Miracle Kicker'.
