9 in 1 (3)

More tracks getting me through these times...

‌MF DOOM and Madlib - Avalanche

Been listening to a lot of MF DOOM specials over the last couple of weeks #1

‌Madvillain - Rhinestone Cowboy (Four Tet mix) 

Been listening to a lot of MF DOOM specials over the last couple of weeks #2

Kelly Lee Owens - Jeanette

Spaced out epic techno? From North Wales? Yes, please.

‌WNTR - likeiloveyou ft j.robb and NY odus 

Vaporwave edit of JT? Yes, please.

‌DMX Krew - Get With You

Closing the most recent Creep Zone is this odd-pop jam from the Rephlex-affiliated DMX Krew.

‌Life Without Buildings - The Leanover

I had a promo copy of their only album, 2001's Any Other City and I can't for the life of me find it or remember how I got it. Anyway, according to The Guardian this is now a thing on TikTok (after sea shanties).

Scalamerya - Juggernaut 

Two tracks now that Teki Latex blended to close out his penultimate Radio 1 Residency show. First up this no-holds-barred pounder from Scalamerya...

David Carretta - Vicious Game

Which was mixed into David Carretta's squelchy electro-techno French classic Vicious Game. You will be missed Teki.

SOPHIE - Bipp

RIP.

Related post: 9 in 1 (2)

Telex Tape

Just look at this beauty. 

It's a compilation of Telex bangers on limited edition green cassette. You bet I pre-ordered. 

This Is Telex is out on Mute in April and features remastered highlights from across the Belgian band's discography, as well as two previously unreleased tracks.

And while I usually always go for Moskow Diskow when talking about Telex, here's their 1980 Eurovision entry called, err, Euro-vision...

   

Have you ever seen such expressive scarf dancing?

Related post: Moskow Diskow

It's Blue Monday...

Easy content.

This is the Official Lyric Video for New Order's Blue Monday and was only uploaded in September. Nice isn't it? Unlike today, which is apparently the worst day of the year (or the worst day of the year so far). 

8 in 1 (6)

Nu-disco, liquid d'n'b, 80s pop classics, and even some proper dubstep all feature...

Calendar - Comin' On Strong (Jamie 3:26 Edit)

Absolute roller of an edit.

T.Power - Octogon

Pure d'n'b science from one of the worst named albums I've ever seen. Octogon is off 1995's The Self Evident Truth of an Intuitive Mind. I just cringed while typing it.

Altered Images - I Could Be Happy

Banger from The Do!! You!!! Breakfast Show #1.

Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do For Love

Banger from The Do!! You!!! Breakfast Show #2.

‌Prefab Sprout - Cars and Girls

Banger from The Do!! You!!! Breakfast Show #3.

‌Sam Sparro - Black and Gold

Finally got around to catching up with Celebrity: A 21st-Century Story on iPlayer and, I have to admit, I was not expecting to see the Tesco Metro in Canton pop up on it. (From the bit where they're following paparazzi following Charlotte Church back in the day). Anyway, a few minutes later Sam Sparro's electro-pop banger pops up in the background. And it still bangs.

Pinch & P. Dutty - War Dub

Morning rave in the kitchen to 6 Music #1. 

‌Joe Smooth - Promised Land

Morning rave in the kitchen to 6 Music #2.

Related post: 8 in 1 (5)

Casper Buzz

Another month, another Buzz review of a solo album from a Nordic singer that is from a better-known band! Obvs. Iceland and Denmark are both Nordic but are not both Scandinavian, right?

Following October's review of Shiver by Jónsi (him from Sigur Rós) it's now the turn of Casper Clausen from Efterklang with Better Way. It's alright like. 

Better Way is out now on City Slang and I'd say Dark Heart is the pick of the bunch.

More of my album reviews for Buzz are yerr.

Top Top Music: The best track from each Top 10 Things I Heard in [Insert Year] since starting Ceefax Of Life

I'm getting bang back into making YouTube playlists after doing one for the Top 10 Things I Heard in 2020. 

So here's another one.

Every top track from every end of year rundown I've done since starting this blog in 2009.

2020 = Carli - Lights & Strobes

2019 = Tyler, the Creator - EARFQUAKE

2018 = Andre 3000 - Me & My (To Bury Your Parents)

2017 = 1010 Benja SL - Boofiness

2015 and 2016 = Didn't do a list IDK

2014 = Robert Palmer - Johnny & Mary

2013 = Chance The Rapper - Paranoia

2012 = Breakbot - By Your Side (feat. Pacific!) [Part 1 & 2] (as James Pants' Boiler Room Mix isn't on YouTube)

2011 = TEETH - This Time

2010 = Telex - Moskow Diskow

2009 = Danny Boy & The Serious Gods - Castro Boy (Somewhat Normal)

Maybe I should go through the archives and pick some tracks for 2015 and 2016.

Top 10 Things I Heard in 2020

What a shit year. 

COVID and Cummings. 

Andrew Weatherall and MF DOOM. 

My dad. 

Fuck.

I was tempted not to bother. But we can heal through routine. 

As with previous years, this list isn't the best music to come out in 2020, it's the best stuff I heard for the first time this year. In fact, most of the following didn't come out in 2020. It was a year to forget after all.

[Also, I thought I'd do a playlist instead of post individually - bite me]

10. Special Request - Spectral Frequency

9. Sonic Youth - I Love You Golden Blue

8. Polli Ji - Meant To Be (Original Mix)

7. Bustin

6. No_4mat - 1992

5. Tyler, the Creator - Best Interest

4. iamamiwhoami - Good Worker

3. Oneohtrix Point Never - Chrome Country

2. (K)NoW_NAME - Night SURFING

1. Carli - Lights and Strobes 

Bonus round:

News of the year: COVID vaccines or Wales not playing Ireland again in World Cup Qualifying. Too close to call.

YouTube Channel/stream of the year: 🇯🇵 Japanese 70s 80s New Music Soul Funk Disco Fusion City Pop Kayou Reggae 和モノ ニューミュージック🗼from New J Channel. Also, shout out to William Maranci for the mash-ups and belly laughs.

Mix of the year: “TEKI AND NICK’S MIXTAPE QUEST ADVENTURE” (テキとニックのUミクステップクイエスト大冒険).

Also, I want to give special thanks to NTS Radio, especially Charlie Bones on the breakfast show for helping me get through working from home this year. 

Related post: Top 10 Things I Heard in 2019

Endless Europe

And that's the Transition period done.

Hopefully, we'll be back as the Republic of Wales.