Feet First

Emma Warren, one of the Test Pressing contributors has been producing various radio shows/podcasts for the Red Bull group, so we thought we’d post one here and ask a little about what the shows are about. Over to Emma…

I’ve been doing a monthly podcast for the Red Bull Music Academy since January this year. Each month I make my way up to Clerkenwell Green, clutching a handful of my favourite tunes of the day, ready to step inside the vocal booth and get recording. I’m working with the team who create content for the RBMAradio.com site which means that we get access to amazing people. So far I’ve had interviews with Baaba Maal, William Orbit and a customised jingle from Tippa Irie as well as full access to the catalogue of couch interviews that happen each year at the academy. But anyway, this is the current Wandering Feet podcast. It’s got music from Goldielocks (above) and Mark Pritchard, Sa Ra’s Om’Mas Keith and Debruit plus new school Portuguese techno boys Photonz as well as interviews with Subeena, Dirty Projectors and Baaba Maal. The one before had Musinah and a fab new tunes from kizomba hip hop duo Ritchaz e Keke and the next one, which I recorded this week, will have new music from Little Dragon and a TRG mix of Moderat as well as a super-sweet interview with dubstep’s Mala. Til that goes up next month, here’s Wandering Feet.

Wandering Feet – June
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(Image courtesy of Debbie Bragg/Everynight)

[Emma Warren]

Mix: Moonboots – Live At Afternoon Sessions (Cafe 1001)

Moonboots will hate me for saying this but as well as being a top bloke he’s a bit of a Manchester legend and along with Phil Mison, Baleric Mike and Jason Boardman has been flying the balearic flag for many a year. From supplying the Dust Brothers with the records that created their sound from behind the counter at Eastern Bloc for Naked Under Leather with Phil South (now Golf Channel in NYC) through to his lovely “Originals” with Mike on Mudd’s Claremont 56 imprint he’s always had an ear for the alternative, good and well very, very balearic.

This is the first in a series of mixes we will be posting from London’s aforementioned Afternoon Sessions. Afternoon Sessions started as Phil Mison and Steve Terry wanted to put on a party as DJ Hugh Herrera was visiting. From there, well, they just carried on really. For an afternoon of mellow music with lovely people it’s a great place to visit. This mix is from a few years back and hasn’t dated a jot. Hopefully Moon will be coming through with a new mix at some point but until then here’s something to keep us going.

Moonboots – Afternoon Sessions (Cafe 1001)
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[Apiento]

Mix: DJ Alex – The Flyer As Art

Steve Terry is the DJ and promoter behind London’s ESP with Nathan Gregory Wilkins and the Afternoon Sessions with Phil Mison. As well as being one of our favourite DJs for his deep melodic style Steve has kindly donated a batch of mixes and flyers from the past years featuring amongst others Moonboots, Balearic Mike, Joel Martin, Gerry Rooney and other London heads so look out for those.

In November 2005, Terry organised an exhibition of club art and flyers featuring work from James Joyce, Fred Deakin and Ali Augur amongst others. To go along with the exhibition Steve asked DJ Alex from London’s Voices Collective to donate a mix and here it is. The Voices Collective is made up of Cedric Woo, John Ramar and DJ Alex. They promote all night parties playing an open selection style with a balearic disco twist. Their next party is on the 3rd of July at London’s Plastic People. Cedric, if you’re reading, get in touch and hit us up with a mix. Good people doing it for the right reasons.

The Flyer As Art Mix – DJ Alex
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[Apiento]

Interview: Dave Lee

Dave Lee has a new CD Sunburst Band album hitting the shops soon so we caught up with him to do a quick interview. The CD brings together all the remixes to date of The Sunburst Band and very good it is too. Anyway, the album is in the shops soon but until then here’s Dave.

What is this new CD you are promoting?

A new CD from The Sunburst Band, with all the best remixes we’ve had done plus a few new ones exclusive to this fantastic double CD. Some of the remixers included are Dennis Ferrer, Milton Jackson, Henrik Schwarz, DJ Meme, Grant Nelson, Idjut Boys, Yam Who, Recloose, IG Culture….as well as a few boring ones I’ve done.

Is it as bent as your other releases?

It’s a bi CD… This CD will have sex with anything. Pretty much like me. But it’s maybe a bit more expensive than I am.

What DJ’s have been supporting it on the scene?

The remixes have been played by Carl Craig, Ashley Beedle, Gilles Peterson Jimpster, Kerri Chandler, Seamus Haji, Groove Armada, Danny Krivit, Fedde Le Grand, Danny Rampling, Dimitri From Paris, DJ Spinna, DJ Spen, Domu, Tony Humphries, Glenn Underground, Roger Sanchez, , Jazzanova, Laurent Garnier, Benji B, Ben Watt, Karizma, Prins Thomas, Quentin Harris, X-Press 2, King Britt, Osunlade, Faze Action…..WOW!!!!!!

Does the scene still exist?

Which scene? For house music, yeah I guess. Though it’s not going through a particularly strong period in terms of crossover success, there is still some good music being made. The problem is there is an awful lot of rubbish out there. Possibly a bigger problem is the fact that a lot of the shit seems to sell pretty well.

Where does the inspiration for the Sunburst Band come from?

My love of disco, boogie, jazz funk and heavily soiled underwear.

If you could take the Sunburst Band back in time where would you like them to play live?

Be nice to have them playing during the Battle of Hastings, though I suspect we’d have problems with the amps.

And who would be your three dream front women to front the project?

Patrice Rushen, Minnie Ripperton and Philip Schofield wearing a bra/panties and blonde wig

Have you been thrown out of any bars recently for inappropriately touching anyone?

Why are you asking me this? You know it was part of the settlement that i can’t talk about it.

You have possibly the best collection of ‘pure’ disco in London. Why are you such a rubbish DJ? I never see your name on posters round Shoreditch.

I don’t know, I often ask myself that. And I’m such an arrogant c**t too!

Why don’t you DJ at some good clubs rather than that Southport Weekender with all those old blokes?

In the next couple of months I’m playing Lovebox, Garden Festival in Croatia, Beachdown Festival Brighton, Zouk Singapore, a couple of decent places in Italy . I guess lots of the trendy London places have gone very electro/minimal/deep house – though I like some of that stuff (not all night) its not what I’m known to play, so I guess I’m not the obvious choice. The other factor is I’m pretty expensive and though I do occasionally play for less I can’t do it too often as its what finances everything really. Also, lots of the well paid gigs are pretty good and on several occasions I’ve done things for nout and they’ve been shit, as though the promoter might love good music he’s crap at organising his night. Anyway, I will always stick up for Southport as it is a wicked event, a mixture of ages and has a great vibe.

Cheers Dave.

Peace.

[Apiento]

Under The Radar No.3 – Cul De Sac: Portland Cement

Gun shots, country-style guitars and the Portland Cement Company are things that don’t normally go together, but for me, this works. The electronics are loud and hack in to the track so play with caution. Or don’t. Turn it up.

Cul De Sac: Portland Cement
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[Apiento]

Interview: Map Of Africa

This interview by Jaclyn Marinese with Map Of Africa first appeared in Issue 18 of ‘Sup Magazine.

[Apiento]

Mix: Phil Mison – Cafe Del Mar 1995

Not much introduction needed on this one. More classic Mison action, this time from the Cafe in 95.

Side A
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Side B
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[Apiento]

More Cutting Room Heroes – Ron Murphy Of National Sound Corporation…

So I ordered a load records (and a T-shirt) from Submerge recently and the package arrived today. In with the vinyl (still shrinkwrapped) was a free CD (Nocturbulous Behavior – very good) and various bits of 313 ephemera; in particular this notice about last year’s Ron Murphy memorial. We thought it might be interesting to some of the heads. Cutting room engineers can make or break a record so always good to find out more about these mysterious figures. Look out for more on this topic in the near future, but for now, here is a lil’ more on Ron…

Ron Murphy set up National Sound Corporation (the ‘NSC’ etched into all your better records) with Steve Martel in 1989. Shortly afterward, Juan Atkins and Derrick May discovered his service and started pressing records with him, on a cutting lathe from the ’30s. Ron encouraged them, and others, to personalise their records with etchings and also pioneered lock-grooves and outward play (which really confused me the first time I encountered it).

Ron’s connection to the music of Detroit far pre-dates Techno however, he cut his first record at some point in 1966, and was cutting, engineering and producing throughout the Motown decades. Sadly, he died of a heart attack in January last year. Not only had music lost wonderful and warm talent, but also a wealth of memories and what I’m sure would have been a fascinating autobiography…

[Giacomo]

Mix: Gentleman Mixer – BBQ Special

Seeing as mid-summer is almost here I thought I’d post this mix I got sent from a good friend of Test Pressing – Adam Khan a.k.a Gentleman Mixer. It’s got that low-down summer vibe all wrapped up. Tidy.

Adam Khan: The Groove That Soothes That Moves Romance

Rick James: Bring The Sunshine On
Eddie Harris: Its Alright Now
Donald Byrd: Dominoes (12”)
Amerie: One Thing (Silk Remix)
Bar-Kays: You Can’t Run Away
Djvan feat Marziazinha: Nereci
LA Boppers: You Did It Good
LV: Throw Your Hands Up
Plantlife: Sun Hits The Sky (4 hero mix)
Mary J Bilge: Be Happy
Sly & Family Stone: Time For Livin’
Sylvia Stripplin: You Can’t Turn Me Away
Crazy Penis: You Started Something
Donnell Jones: U Know What’s Up (instrumental)
The Jacksons: That’s What You Get For Being Polite

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[Apiento]

Comment: What Would Neil Do? Part 1

Like everyone this week I have constantly asked myself “what would the Red Hot Chilli Peppers have done in this situation?” and then done the complete opposite. Tiresome propulsive bass lines have been banished, lengthy trousers sported and all sports or any physical activities that would play out like a Pepsi-max advert for virgins have been gratefully dismissed. It’s been pretty enlightening as I’ve realised that George Clinton is actually pretty shit and I have stayed away from any friends who may be dealing with some sort of drug issues fearing for my life that a mawkish ballad that “meant loads to me dude” was nearby.

Drug abuse is pretty passé and in the world of nightlife has become as much small talk as the weather is for the day time grapple between people who work with (hate) each other (writes Melanie Phillips). It’s socially acceptable to droll out a litany of your chemical intake and imbalances because that is the same as announcing “it’s humid but not close which is nice”. Recall each time you announced how (insert Danny Dyer adjective) you were and let the oozing realisation of what a sad state of affairs you are overcome you. Like many of us our measurement of what a good time equates to is when we were so metaphysically cocooned that we could not relate to or comprehend friends, physical objects, concepts of time or the tail of toilet paper wrapped around your legs on Burnt Oak Station platform. Own up we’ve ALL been there!!! Shit I’m writing Michael Macintyre jokes (a man still getting mileage out of pulling a face and saying the word “hob nob” repeatedly (in different accents – each one remarkably like that of a prize cunt) until everyone scratches the blood from their ears praying for silence). You might as well have been locked in a box with sherbet dib dabs poured into every hole until congealed and congregated in your gut the fizzing sugar paste explodes an internal vomiting wave coating your digestive system. And for what? What joy and nirvana has this plethora of ambrosia blocked our senses to? Why are we drug rich, spiritually poor? What have we missed? Jesus? Some Roy Ayres album we were bothered about for 4 minutes in 1993? The notion that House music is more relevant than Bobby Brown (play New Edition and Don’t Be Cruel back to back and then throw your Nu-Groove Collection into Banardos)? No, none of the former but the love of the genius of Neil Sedaka and his joy.

What a digression! But without it, best beloved, you would believe my eyebrows so arched that they are holding up my forehead. No I’ve not come to the guilty pleasures orgy party late, chap hanging out to find the last of the ironic man secretions has already been cleaned off the warm body of what “is really cool this week in ES magazine.” I speak with a total love of all things Neil. The man is a colossus and perhaps only for a handful of songs. Coupled with a voice that has retained a pureness of tone through decades that is delicious light and as gay as cotton candy made into my little ponies but stitched together with joy plus a joyful bitchyness on any youtube duet he’s doing (a shameless scene stealer). He was on the One Show this week, sullied by that Happy Shopper experience no doubt but still holding his end up knowing full well that every trend of cool sprouting from the 20 century and beyond, riding the waves of those totemic values of black, gay and Jewish which underpins all that is great streams forth from that smile, that comb over and his songs. In part II we shall examine Neil in detais, how he helped make “Heart of the Congos”, his relationship to Sir Victor Uwaifo, the essence of joy and looked in to the internet lie that Jerusalem was written by a prophetic William Blake told by the angels that Neil plays the Royal Albert Hall on 30th June. Any postcards describing Neil as cheesy, corny or old showbiz will be forwarded to the Test Pressing Thought Crimes Department who are already far too busy trying to work out when Level 42 officially became shit (“but shep petting-zoo did a mix of “Running In The Family”..).

TO BE CONTINUED…

[Adam Khan]

Under The Radar No.2 – A R Kane: Pop

This track comes from A R Kane’s Rough Trade-released album, ‘i’. ‘Pop’ sounds like the Cocteau Twins meeting Arthur Russell in the ’89 melting pot that was. Not sure how under the radar it was really as they were pretty highly spoken of in the music press but it’s a great single.

A R Kane: Pop
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[Apiento]

Exclusive Track: The Secret Music Club

Alright, it’s free music Sunday. Here’s an exclusive un-released ambient mix of the artist James Yuill on Moshi Moshi. There is also a more uptempo dub version. If anyone wants that feel free to get in touch here.

James Yuill: No Suprises (Apiento Ambient Remix)
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[Apiento]

Review: Coyote ‘Harlyn Bay’

Coyote have been releasing records for a little while now. We got sent their new album ‘Harlyn Bay’ to review so rather than one of us doing it, I thought it would be good to sit down and play it to my eleven year-old Danny to see what he thought. Current bangers for Danny include N-Dubz and ‘Pretender’ by The Foo Fighters.

‘Pacific Breeze’
It’s a good title. (Nods approvingly when track starts). It sounds good but I think by the end of this track I’ll know what the album will sound like. They all seem quite long and it might all be the same thing which I am not so sure I’ll really like. (Nice bass sound comes in). I like that. I like the little sound on the top that sounds like a scratching record thing. I think I would like it more if it was shorter.

‘Wildness’
I think this will sound the same as the other one… (Pad starts) I was right. I’d like to listen to this music when I was sleepy. It’s good.

‘Love Handle’
I don’t like the name. (Has no idea what a love handle is). Definitely more lively than the other ones. It’s got more stuff happening and I like the sounds more. They are more interesting. If it was a computer game it would be Electro Plankton.

‘California’
I think this one will sound energetic. This is confusing. I don’t know what they are saying. It sounds like someone is playing an alien noise through a funny sound system. I like the drums. They are cool and not bombarding the rest of the song.

‘Boat Trip’
This one sounds funny. It’s a bit like a funeral song. It’s the guitar bit. Now it’s more like a song that you would play at the beach on a sunny day. It doesn’t sound like a normal singing voice – it’s been really tampered with.

‘Electric Sunburst’
This sounds like a good title. It should be a bit more energetic and lively. (Track starts). It’s not as lively as the title. I really like the whoooo whoooo (phased noise). Everything on this album is backwards. Like I thought Love Handle would be really slow and it was the most energetic track yet.

‘Rootsy Stew’
This sounds like an animal one. It sounds like it’s on a farm. Sounds like a very deserted bird sanctuary. ‘Rootsy Steeeew’. ‘Rootsy get back here! – Rootsy stew’. It’s like a farmhouse song. (Sings). I like the bongo bits too. I didn’t think this would be a favourite but it’s one of my favourites so far and I didn’t think it would be. See – everything is the opposite.

‘The Beach’
I like the little kiddie speaking at the beginning. All the tracks are a bit too long for me really. Even an old man – really, really old man that never get’s bored of anything – he might get bored of it. I really like this one. This is cool and fun. The end bit was good then.

‘Poyote Sunset’
They basically have one name and they have changed it (Electric Sunburst to Poyote Sunset). I don’t really like this one so much.

‘Live This Life’
I like this one. This one rules. It sounds techno-ey. Overally I would give the album seven out of ten. All the songs are good but they are all a little too long and they do a lot of the same thing. I don’t think I would listen to this album too much but I am an eleven year old kid so what do you expect.

::

So there we go. I think he liked it though I am not sure that sunset sounds are really the key to an eleven year-olds musical heart. For me it was a very pleasant hour of nice bass lines, spot-on drums and some lovely melodies. You can hear the old dub-style basslines of 1990 and other subtle bits of history in the mix of the album. It’s the sound of two men enjoying their music and dreaming of the golden hours.

‘Harlyn Bay’ is released in June on Is It Balearic Recordings.

[Apiento]

Labels 001: Information

I was thinking the other day it would be good to do a few little label round-ups and start covering some new music alongside the mixes and tracks so here we go. First up is Gothenburg-based Information records that not only produce incredible records in beautiful sleeves but also have a quality line in T-shirts and posters. Lead release for Information this year is the debut album from Fontan on August the 24th, ‘Wintherhwila’, as well as a limited release of some low-down song-based tracks from Dan Lissvik’s new project The Crepes in mid-July. After that I am hoping we’ll see a new Studio album. A quality label through and through.

The Fontan album is sounding fantastic, kind of like Studio with a twist. It’s got the cosmic disco vibe locked down with the Information stamp of quality. Here are a few excerpts for you to check out. We’ll try and get an interview sorted with the guys at some point.

Land Of The Dragon (Excerpt)

Neanderthaler (Excerpt)

The Bridge (Excerpt)

…You Too (Excerpt)

[Apiento]

Last Call For The PCO Under 5’s

If you are open minded and of a balearic nature you might want to check out Music From The Penguin Cafe who are playing at the ICA this Saturday and Sunday. Expect new compositions from Arthur Jeffes and lots of PCO material. Reports of the Manchester show (hello Moon & Mike) were it was a lovely night all round with a standing ovation at the last. Here’s an interview with Arthur Jeffes from today’s Guardian.

[Apiento]

Amnesia Review – The NME – 1989

[Apiento]

Test Pressing Radio

Here’s an edited version of the Test Pressing Radio show on Diesel Radio. Steve Terry’s mix didn’t make the cut due to mixer issues but here’s Phil Mison in the mix and a few other bits. Steve will be back soon with a mix of his own. Anyway, until then here’s the show.

Test Pressing Radio
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[Apiento]

The Acid Test

Great article and good advert on the last page.

[Apiento]

Island Records Documentary & Paul Williams Island Records Mix

If you missed the Island Records documentary on BBC4 it’s well worth taking a look. From the early recordings of jazz artists, Blackwell’s move to London to import ska for the Jamaican communities and eventually the mods, the birth of the pink label and the folk years and his work with Grace Jones and the B-52’s on to modern Island – it’s all pretty well covered. Interviews include Blackwell, Sly and Robbie, Joe Boyd and many of the early employees of Island. There is also some great footage of London in the 60s. It’s interesting seeing how the label worked giving the artists creative space in their own Island studios combined with Blackwell’s eye for the visual aspect of modern music. Not sure how long it’s live for but if you missed it it’s here. As before with the Rough Trade documentary the BBC have also compiled an hour of Island artists playing over the years – check that here.

As a perfect accompaniment here is a mix by Paul Williams (Balearik Soul) of his favourite Island Records/Nassau moments taking in the Thompson Twins, NYC Peech Boys, Wally Badarou, Grace Jones, Roxy Music and Black Uhuru along the way. It’s world music as it should be.

Tracklisting follows.

Island Records Mix By Paul Williams
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[Apiento]

The Bass Bin No.1 – Original Concept: Knowledge Me Chant

The Bass Bin – home for all those with that bottom end… First up, a Rick Rubin classic sampled by many but best in it’s original basic form of 808, bassline and some random shouts.

Original Concept: Knowledge Me Chant
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[Apiento]