Crooked Stile – Crooked Man

Presenting Crooked Man’s 3rd album, Crooked Stile.

I like to think of Crooked Man kind of like Crazy P’s troubled, misbehaving twin. The tracks are as excellent and share the same funky groove – but where Crazy P is warmth and light, Crooked Man is dark and grit. And say it quietly, but maybe a bit more fun. You can put Crazy P on in the living room, this is an album best saved for the basement. Introduce Crazy P to your family, keep Crooked Man’s phone number saved under a different name in your phone. You get the idea.

If you only listen to two tracks, make them: Big Love – which has a delightfully grimy, driving hook; and Don’t Leave Me This Way – an update of the 70s version that I cannot wait to play out.

Let me know what you think.

You Knew – Roisin Murphy & DJ Koze

DJ Koze and Roisin Murphy are icons in their own right, but together are capable of a kind of alchemy that I can’t get enough of. Here is their latest, You Knew. It drips with hurt, longing and desire. And what’s even more delicious is that DJ Koze has produced a whole album with Roisin, Hit Parade, out September 8th on Ninja Tune. Yum.

Róisín Machine – Róisín Murphy

The inimitable Irish songstress Róisín Murphy back with her first album for 4 years.

The whole release has a really fun, chuggy, funky feel with heavy disco influences. As always, her vocals range from the sultry to the melodramatic in a way that only she can pull off.

There are some great tracks on the album (Simulation, We Got Together and Murphy’s Law are my picks) – but what really stands out is the quality of the package. The mixing has been given so much attention and love. Each track flows into the next in a natural, but original and exciting way. Maybe it is a bit of nerdy thing to call out, but it all comes together to create a very cool 54 minute experience that’ll give you a good lift.

Sidenote, she released this on her own label which is called Mickey Murphy’s Daughter. That has to be one of the best label names going.

Knock Knock – DJ Koze

I’m growing a moustache to raise money for the Movember Foundation. So this month I will be honouring some of the best moustaches in music. You can donate to my mo here: https://mobro.co/harry-mo?

Here’s another phenomenal producer with a moustache to match. DJ Koze has all the tricks in the box, and earlier this year released this varied, original album. Bonfire will bring out the sentimental in you, then you’ll get sped up, slowed down and turned around until you hit the 3 stars of the listing. Roisin Murphy in Illumination, and then Pick Up and Planet Haze. It’s a real corker, from one of the most talented producers out there.