It's list time! Like in previous years it's stuff I heard for the first time in 2018, not necessarily stuff that came out in 2018. Unlike in previous years, it's not in any particular order and there's special shout-outs for mix of the year and gig of the year too.
Lemme take this opportunity to say that your work at the Bloc Weekend celebrity darts & karaoke are still some of the most entertaining things ever I've seen & heard...
Another month, another quick recap of things I've been listening to...
1. Golden Bug feat. Pajaro Sunrise - Taste of Love
In the middle of Juan Atkin's radio show to mark 30 years of Solid Steel, amongst the banging and beautiful techno, was this smear of sad house. It's odd and fuggy and could've come out in 2006 rather than 2016, and I mean that as a huge compliment.
2. Derrick May - Kaotic Harmony
Another member of the Belleville Three now. Here's some pristine, glistening techno from the only proper solo long player May released, way back in 1996.
3. The Jellies - Jive Baby on a Saturday Night
From what I can gather, this was a bit of a novelty record released in 1981, which had a reprint a couple of years ago on Trunk. It's proper Marmite. And for me the clipped vocals, the stripped back feel and that strutting bassline makes it a bit of punk-funk minimal disco classic. Well ESG like. Can't remember whose mix I heard it on but turns out it has also been used on a Smart Energy GB TV advert recently.
4. Devo - What I Must Do
Vex Ruffin's radio show for NTS is always a tip-top listen. During the latest show I made a note of the time to check who this track was by as I didn't recognise it. Turns out it's Devo, thus further cementing my love of Devo.
5. Polygon Window - Portreath Harbour
Went to see my mum down in Cornwall a couple of weeks ago. We went to Portreath to walk the dogs. Of course there's an Aphex Twin track that refers to this beautiful place. Released in 1993 under the Polygon Window moniker as a workaround to release stuff on Warp instead of R&S, Portreath Harbour was added to the 2001 reissue edition along with Redruth School.
A Llantwit Major-based music blog for things post-punk, electronic and a little bit left of centre, with second-hand cultural musings, third-rate sociological stabbings and very rarely the odd mp3.
I also write the odd album review for Buzz Magazine and used to present Amser Electroneg on Bro Radio.
