THE BEST MUSIC: NEW & OLD
There has always been one established Hunter remix – a garage re-rub courtesy of MJ Cole. I’m not a big garage-head, so it has never quite the job for me. So imagine my delight when I came across this:
François Kevorkian and Eric Kupper have turned an undeniable stone cold classic into a balearic dream. Enjoy.
Bonus track: and here is that MJ Cole remix for you
17 years on from its original release, Empire of the Sun have released a remix package of their biggest track, Walking on a Dream. The TEED version caught my attention, but the EP takes you on a tour of various genres (and levels of quality) with Wiz Khalifa, Axwell and Kaskade getting in on the act, amongst others.
If you enjoyed that, I’m playing a set at Stokey Karaoke on 29th November where I’ll be leaning into an indie electro vibe. Expect Tame Impala, La Roux, TEED and more. Get in touch for details.
TEED’s new album is Always With Me is out 5th December. I’ve been enjoying the singles so far (especially Desire and The Echo). It’s very much worth checking out what Orlando has to offer, as always. New name, same quality.
Right yes yes Happy New Year Happy New Year now let’s get on with it.
My first post of 2025 is my top played song of 2024. And it happens to be a song from 1995. Fairground. The dulcet tones of Mick Hucknall, a truly anthemic chorus, plus an arresting samba beat (originally Sergio Mendes’, via The Goodmen). Lovely stuff.
Shout out to the team at Balearic London for reawakening my love for this one on the dancefloor.
There’s no prizes for figuring out which disco classic has inspired Coburn with this one. The Queen of Disco’s energy comes through clear and strong in this reimagined, club-ready version, released 30 years later in 2006.
Bonus track: if the name Coburn is ringing a bell, it might be because of this number from 2005
A little taste of 80s South African synth-pop. Tasty. So tasty that the vinyl will set you back a cool £300.
Shout out to Ben Gomori who played this out in the sunshine at HMS Sweet Charity.
Not much will take you back to the late noughties like a touch of Uffie. For a hot second she (and Ed Banger records) were right of the centre of the electronic music scene.
Bonus track: we can’t talk Uffie and not Pop the Glock. How well has it aged? Hmmm…
What’s the best Christmas song you ask? Well there’s only one correct answer, and that’s Fairytale of New York*. In a genre ridden with turkeys, this one is a king. That’s right, you heard me, a king amongst turkeys.
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VTNVsTTu05dmTsVFrmGpK?si=31ea101cf5e44846
RIP Shane MacGowan. Here is a link to an obit. It’s worth a read because he was, by all accounts, an utter mentalist.
*Feel free to put your incorrect answers in the comments box.
One from the vaults. It’s Akala’s Shakespeare from his debut album It’s Not A Rumour from 2006. The album (and it’s 2007 follow-up Freedom Lasso) span hip-hop, electro and rock and I have to say they opened 14-year-old-me’s eyes. Akala is a great lyricist, combining humour and meaning with crazy delivery. He has grown to become an important figure in society with his activism. This track goes back to the start of his journey – enjoy.
Bonus track: I was reminded of Shakespeare whilst watching Emerald Fennel’s new dark comedy, Saltburn – well worth a watch if you haven’t seen it already. There’s a great party scene which features Tomcraft’s Loneliness. Shakespeare‘s backing track is lifted directly from it. Two very different tracks with two very different energies, but both hit in their own way.
A couple of week’s ago I had the absolute pleasure of being at the opening night of Madonna’s Celebration Tour. Production levels were off the charts. If you get the chance to go to one of the remaining legs, I can’t stress enough that you should make it happen. The show made the most of her insanely rich back-catalogue with hit after hit. She’s an amazing performer, and it was an amazing show.
For today’s track we are rewinding to 2003, and a grinding, nasty remix of Hollywood by Jacques le Cont (aka Les Rythmes Digitales, real name Stuart Price). The speed is lifted and the drones are amplified, giving the track a new, dark energy. Interestingly, this was the version of the track that Madonna performed during the MTV Video Awards. After this remix, Price went onto work as a producer on Confessions of a Dancefloor amongst other collaborations with Madonna.
Bonus track: it wasn’t easy to pick, but this was my highlight from the show.
Something a bit different today: a video feature on the re-emergence of Jai Paul on the excellent Resident Advisor youtube. They put it out in the run-up to his first ever live show, at Coachella. Apparently his performance didn’t quite live up to the hype, but you best believe he has more to offer the world.
More Jai? You can find his remix of Jungle Drum here and Do You Love Her Now / He here.
HARRY'S MUSICAL EMPORIUM 