THE BEST MUSIC: NEW & OLD
Bringing you an italo-infused chuggy house number from London-based producer and DJ Joseph Ashworth. I mean this in the best way possible – it sounds like the kind of track that would have been used to soundtrack a 90s motorbike racing game. Love it.
Shout out to Ben Gomori’s Turned On podcast for the tip.
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.
It might feel like Summer is coming to end. But maybe it doesn’t have to. Maybe Summer was really all the friends you made along the way. Here’s one more friend to make before it’s too late. Sisters and brothers, enlightenment is now.
It’s a groovy stomper if ever I’ve heard one. The track is a collaboration between Robin Twelftree, The Gambia and Bongo Koi. It was recorded at the culmination of a drive in a Mercedes from London to Gunjur, on the banks of the River Gambia. The vocals belong to none other than Joseph N’Gole, a mystic. How about that.
The vinyl release also has a delightful less edited version, which is well worth picking up if that tickles your fancy. You can hear a snippet and pick that up here.
Shout out to Ben Gomori’s Turned On podcast for the tip.
This one is a little bit fun. A little bit weird.
The best way I can describe it is as an exploration of vampire-electro. Its hook is as catchy as it is twisted. Full marks. Anyway, if you are the type of person that wants the vampires to show up to your house party then get it on loud.
Shout out to Ben Gomori’s Turned On podcast for the tip.
Photo credit: Liam May
If you are after a moody house track that might just give you bass face then I have what you need. Would LOVE to hear this one out. Out now on Ben Gomori’s Monologues Records. Listen to it loud.
Over in the UK the sun is out and I’ve been listening to nothing but these 3 EP compilations by Greek label Bonfido Disques. They describe their sound as “nostalgic Exotic Disco and Afro Cosmic House reworks for the dancefloor”, which hits the nail on the head. Enjoy.
Shout out to Ben Gomori’s Turned On podcast for the tip.
Today I’ve got an almost unreasonably deep EP from Canadian newcomer Chat Desmond.
If you only listen to one track, make it Gotta Light. In one sense, it is a mournful duet told in three parts; the male vocal takes us to four minutes in, before Gladys’ Knight’s familiar laments takes its place (the sample of DJ Koze’s Pick Up fame). Finally the two vocals greet each other in a touching finale. It is a really creative take on two samples that have probably been never been anywhere near each other before. But for all that beauty, it has another side – Gotta Light is basically a bit of a banger. The vocals are underpinned by this addictive acid-tinged bass line. Progression after progression leaves you on the tip and wanting more. Tune.
A couple more tracks to mention. The opening number Hiding From Love is another nice deep number. And as an added bonus you get a crash course in Year 1 of Philosophy undergrad.
Another to check out is Pinch Me, which is now the cause of me mentioning Beyoncé for the first time on this blog. Chat Desmond gives her Sweet Dreams the Cyril Hahn / Destiny’s Child treatment; a delightfully twisted, dark reimagining of the track.
All in all, looking forward to a Vol. 2.
As ever, a big shout out to Ben Gomori and his Turned On podcast for the tip.
José Padilla, long-time resident of Cafe del Mar and all-round Ibiza institution passed away in October last year. As a tribute, Matt Crocker has created this lovely film. Well worth a watch.
If that has piqued your interest and you would like to hear a mixed selection of José Padilla inspired tracks, then look no further:
Okay, this is about as obscure as it gets – credit to Ben Gomori for the find.
Midnight Runners are, in their own words, ‘Indonesia based Bandung bred DJs, producers, record label owner, graphic designer & music enthusiasts’. Meri Sun is on the compilation Bhangra Selection Cuts No. 2, the follow up to the wildly popular (maybe) Bhrangra Selection Cuts.
Anyway, what you need to know is that it fuses strong 80s disco camp with East Asian vibes and ends up with something tasty af.
The Slow Rush is without a doubt my album of the quarantine session so far. It’s Tame Impala’s 4th and it’s a cracker.
Kevin Parker recorded this between native Australia and LA – and that provides a really nice window through which to understand the sound. It’s this awesome struggle between a lazy, beachy indie sound, and the more intense, highly produced electronic LA vibe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am.
Bonus track: Ben Gomori’s remix of Breathe Deeper gently lifts it up one notch. Lovely.
Photo credit: Neil Krug
HARRY'S MUSICAL EMPORIUM 