Record Store Day 2017

It's hard to believe that today is the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day. I think I might've missed the first one or two, then spent a number of years making unfeasibly early train trips to Rough Trade East, before South Records opened in Southend and became my local 'go-to' store.

This morning I arrived at around 6.20 a.m. and took the coveted 10th spot in the queue, with my purchase list in one hand and flask of coffee in the other. My good spot led to a few phone calls with friends to see if there was anything I could grab for them, which helped to pass the time and to distract from the fact that it had started to rain.

8 o'clock rolled round soon enough, and the entry to the shop was a much more civilized affair this year, with numbers in and out controlled to avoid a mad scramble of arms and legs at the record racks. So thanks to Richard and the team for doing a great job of looking after their customers.

My records were bagged in one of the special edition Fred Perry tote bags and I was soon back on my way home to start spinning the vinyl. Here's what I bought this year:

1. Polica - 'Lipstick Stains'; white vinyl 7"
2. British Sea Power - 'Keep On Trying / Bad Bohemian'; pink vinyl 7"
3. The The - 'We Can't Stop What's Coming'; etched 7"
4. Elbow - 'August & September (The The cover)'; etched 7"
5. Swet Shop Boys - 'Sufi La'; white vinyl 12"
6. Prince - 'Pop Life'; 12"
7. Prince - 'Sign O' The Times'; 12"
8. Follakzoid feat. J. Spaceman - 'London Sessions'; 12"
9. Primal Scream - 'Mixomatosis'; 12"
10. BP Fallon & David Holmes - 'Henry McCullough (Andrew Weatherall mix); white & brown splatter 12"
11. David Bowie - 'No Plan EP'; blue vinyl etched 12"
12. The Atomic Bomb Band - 'Plays The Music of William Onyeabor'; 12" album
13. Maximo Park - 'Risk To Exist'; red & yellow splatter vinyl 12" album
14. David Bowie - 'Cracked Actor'; triple vinyl 12" album
15. Various Artists: Oxfam Presents - 'Stand As One - Live at Glastonbury 2016'; one red & one green 12" vinyl album

I know some people are a bit snobby about Record Store Day and yes, it is commercialised to a degree, and people should support their local shops all year round, but if this gets new people into those shops I'm all for it. Long may it continue!

Remix of the Day: 'White Crow (Erol Alkan Rework)' by Beyond The Wizards Sleeve

This is a really interesting one, as Erol Alkan, one half (with Richard Norris) of the duo Beyond The Wizards Sleeve, reworks his own track. The result is this fantastic electronic version, which surely deserves to be on a movie soundtrack someday soon. Just picture this on the soundtrack to Drive and you'll understand where I'm coming from with this.



There's actually been a set of really good remixes from the album 'The Soft Bounce', each one of which has come on different colour vinyl. They're well worth getting - not only do they look great but they put a different spin on the record, which made it to number ten on my albums of the year list here. Here's my set:

Albums of the Year 2016: The Top Ten

1. David Bowie - Blackstar
For 3 days this was merely just a great Bowie album. Then, in reverse biblical fashion, on the third day David died, and the record suddenly took on a whole new complexion. To me, this is now one of the greatest artistic statements about death ever made. From the lyrics to the hidden messages in the cover art (a version of which is now tattooed on my arm) this is the perfect, transcendental way for Bowie to leave us.

2. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
Far removed from the last couple of Radiohead releases, this entrancing record was the sound of a band embracing their maturity. It also seemed to free up Yorke and co to explore their back catalogue with abandon, and the live shows that accompanied this release were a riot of hits mixed in with the new record. If this turns out to be their last release it's a great way to go.

3. Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial
My favourite 'guitar band' of the year, Car Seat Headrest have a massive back catalogue that I trawled through at length having only heard about them in 2016. But the new album is the pick of the bunch, as well as having the best track titles of any album this year. And even though they had to recall all the vinyl due to an issue with a track by The Cars that they were 'interpreting' as part of one of their songs, which meant it was delayed about 3 months, it's still my most played vinyl of 2016

4. Underworld - Barbara Barbara, We Face A Shining Future
The best album that Underworld have made for at least 15 years, this record brings family, emmotion and contentment into theor music for possibly the first time. As a result it sounds like a band enjoying themselves for the first time in a while, ready to explore what it feels like to be getting older and to be happy about it.

5. Bon Iver - 22, A Million
From its complicated track titles to its never straightforward music, this is a record that can be hard to find a way into. For me the moment came when I listened to it all the way through on vinyl for the first time - from then I was hooked. Justin Vernon is ploughing a unique furrow here, and it feels to me like each time he goes off to work with someone like Yeezy or James Blake it frees him up a bit more to experiment with his own music.

6. Christine and The Queens - Chaleur Humaine
The new act of the year for me, Christine and The Queens not only make sophisticated and softly subversive pop music, but also have the most engaging and enthralling live show I've seen for years.

7. Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate
A record that oozes both quality and soul, and sounds like something that's been lurking in some dusty vaults since the 70s (in a good way). From the lead single 'Black Man In A White World' to the title track and beyond, this is probably the best produced record of 2016, something that's matched by the quality of Kiwanuka's songwriting. Pure class throughout.

8. Francis and The Lights - Farewell, Starlite!
Having made the best video of the year for 'Friends', the lead single from this track, Francis followed up with an album that sounds like Peter Gabriel and Bon Iver made a record together (and wouldn't that be a good idea?). It unashamedly wears its heart on its sleeve, and is all the better for that. Guaranteed to make you feel better and put a spring in your step if you're having a bad day.

9. Anohni - Hopelessness
Without wishing to sound like a pseud, this is an important record, and one which deserves your attention. Dealing with weighty political matters in a way that very few songwriters can, it also sounds unique, something which is very difficult to schieve in an age where pretty much everything has already been done before. At times it's a difficult listen, especially on 'Obama', but don't let that put you off. As bleak as its title may be, this is a record that will enhance your life.

10. Beyond The Wizards Sleeve - The Soft Bounce
Probably the least well-known record in my selection, this project is the brainchild of Erol Alkan and Richard Norris. It sounds like 60s psychedelia and 70s krautrock all rolled up into one, and features guest vocalists like Hannah Peel, Euros Childs, Blaine Harrison and Jane Weaver adding their own talents to the prodigious duo. A min-warping listen.






11. James Blake - The Colour In Everything
12. Kanye West - The Life of Pablo
13. Parquet Courts - Human Performance
14. Gold Panda - Good Luck And Do Your Best
15. Glass Animals - How To Be A Human Being
16. Kojey Radical - 23 Winters
17. Jack Garratt - Phase
18. Lambchop - Flotus
19. Polica - United Crushers
20. Romare - Love Songs: Part Two
21. NZCA Lines - Infinite Summer
22. Clark - The Last Panthers
23. Frank Ocean - Blonde
24. Factory Floor - 25 25
25. Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book
26. The Avalanches - Wildflower
27. Alexis Taylor - Piano
28. Jamie T - Trick
29. Mystery Jets - Curve Of The Earth
30. Saul Williams - MartyrLoserKing
31. Jagwar Ma - Every Now & Then
32. Skepta - Konichiwa
33. Oscar - Cut And Paste
34. Mark Pritchard - Under The Sun
35. Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
36. Bullion - Loop The Loop
37. Oddisee - The Odd Tape
38. The Gaslamp Killer - Instrumentalepathy
39. Wild Beasts - Boy King
40. Animal Collective - Painting With

Albums of the Year 2016: Numbers 11-20

We're getting closer to number 1...here are numbers 11-20:

11. James Blake - The Colour In Everything
12. Kanye West - The Life of Pablo
13. Parquet Courts - Human Performance
14. Gold Panda - Good Luck And Do Your Best
15. Glass Animals - How To Be A Human Being
16. Kojey Radical - 23 Winters
17. Jack Garratt - Phase
18. Lambchop - Flotus
19. Polica - United Crushers
20. Romare - Love Songs: Part Two

21. NZCA Lines - Infinite Summer
22. Clark - The Last Panthers
23. Frank Ocean - Blonde
24. Factory Floor - 25 25
25. Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book
26. The Avalanches - Wildflower
27. Alexis Taylor - Piano
28. Jamie T - Trick
29. Mystery Jets - Curve Of The Earth
30. Saul Williams - MartyrLoserKing
31. Jagwar Ma - Every Now & Then
32. Skepta - Konichiwa
33. Oscar - Cut And Paste
34. Mark Pritchard - Under The Sun
35. Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
36. Bullion - Loop The Loop
37. Oddisee - The Odd Tape
38. The Gaslamp Killer - Instrumentalepathy
39. Wild Beasts - Boy King
40. Animal Collective - Painting With

Albums of the Year 2016: Numbers 21-30

Here's today's section of the countdown, along with a reminder of yesterday's ten.

21. NZCA Lines - Infinite Summer
22. Clark - The Last Panthers
23. Frank Ocean - Blonde
24. Factory Floor - 25 25
25. Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book
26. The Avalanches - Wildflower
27. Alexis Taylor - Piano
28. Jamie T - Trick
29. Mystery Jets - Curve Of The Earth
30. Saul Williams - MartyrLoserKing

31. Jagwar Ma - Every Now & Then
32. Skepta - Konichiwa
33. Oscar - Cut And Paste
34. Mark Pritchard - Under The Sun
35. Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
36. Bullion - Loop The Loop
37. Oddisee - The Odd Tape
38. The Gaslamp Killer - Instrumentalepathy
39. Wild Beasts - Boy King
40. Animal Collective - Painting With

Albums of the Year 2016: numbers 31-40

The annual yearly countdown is here! In true Top 40 form we have to start at the bottom, so here are numbers 31-40. The rest will follow each day this week.

31. Jagwar Ma - Every Now & Then
32. Skepta - Konichiwa
33. Oscar - Cut And Paste
34. Mark Pritchard - Under The Sun
35. Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
36. Bullion - Loop The Loop
37. Oddisee - The Odd Tape
38. The Gaslamp Killer - Instrumentalepathy
39. Wild Beasts - Boy King
40. Animal Collective - Painting With

Record Store Day 2016

Another Record Store Day is coming to a close. Despite saying a few weeks ago that I wasn't going. each time I looked at the list of records available I found something else to interest me. So this morning, like last year, I headed to South Records in Southend for an experience much like last year's. I got there about 6:40 and was 10th in the queue, which soon expanded.

Phil Jupitus arrived about an hour later carrying 2 boxes of records - he was DJing from 8-10, before going on to do 2 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang shows so he had a busy one!

Phil Jupitus, South Record Shop 16/4/16

The doors opened bang on 8 o'clock, and in an unfortunate repeat of last year, they proceeded to let the entire queue into the shop at once. I'm sure it wouldn't be that difficult to regulate the number of people in the shop like a lot of other records stores do on RSD. Anyway, I headed straight for the 12" section where I got most of the singles I wanted, then turned round and eased towards the albums. By the time I'd grabbed a few of those I was literally stuck in the middle, unable to move towards the till, or anywhere in fact. Some shuffling and persuading took place and I managed to reach the box of 7"s to grab a few and then ease my way forward to pay. Squishing aside, I still got mostly everything I went for, and the prices were certainly more reasonable than in places like Rough Trade. I was out of the shop by 8:30 and headed off to the seafront for a marathon training run. Here's a picture of what I bought.

I've listened to nearly all of these and the one that absolutely sounds the best is 'Private Life' by Grace Jones - the bass and drums in particular are amazing. The Public Service Broadcasting picture disc probably looks the best, but I'm not sure which is my favourite buy yet. I've got Xiu Xiu's Twin Peaks covers on at the moment, which is a strong contender, along with the Requiem For A Dream Soundtrack and Howard Marks doing Dylan Thomas. Here's the full list of what I got.

1. The Other Side - Public Service Broadcasting (7" picture disc)
2. Cool Out - Matthew E White & Natalie Prass (7")
3. Lightning Strikes The Postman - The Flaming Lips (CD & comic)
4. When A Woman Is Around - Unloved (12", red vinyl)
5. Mantra For A State of Mind - Primal Scream (12")
6. Private Life - Grace Jones (12")
7. The Great Confuso EP - Blanck Mass (12", mulberry vinyl)
8. Unreleased Versions & Remixes vol 1 - Django Django (12")
9. Where Are U Now - Skrillex & Diplo feat. Justin Bieber (12", yellow vinyl)
10. A Badman Sound / Heath Town / Inf Inf Inf Inf - Mark Pritchard / Bibio / Clark (12")
11. Do Not Go Gentle - Howard Marks reads Dylan Thomas (12", green vinyl)
12. Xiu Xiu plays the music of Twin Peaks - Xiu Xiu (double album, 1 red & 1 blue vinyl)
13. Requiem For A Dream OST - Clint Mansell & Kronos Quartet (double album)

Albums of the Year 2015 - the top 40

It's been a pretty good year for albums I reckon. There's been some that smacked you right in the face the moment you first heard them, and others that have been slow-burners and slowly wormed their way into your brain throughout the year. Here's my thoughts on the Top Ten.

1. 'Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit by Courtney Barnett 
Sassy, intelligent lyrics, brilliant tunes, and overall such a great attitude and joie de vivre that you can't help falling in love with Courtney. For me this was the album that proved that there's still a future for guitar-based music. Full review here.

2. 'To Pimp A Butterfly' by Kendrick Lamar
Probably the most talked about, analysed (over-analysed maybe) and generally dissected album of the year. Big hitting, powerful lyrics, jazz and funk-themed music and top-notch collaborators (Flying Lotus, George Clinton, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg) combined to make this an immense record that has definitely earned a place in the history of black music. See blog post here.

3. 'Foam Island' by Darkstar
An electronic reflection on life in northern England in 2015, the tracks feature interviews with the people of Huddersfield talking about their town, their hopes and their dreams. This is matched with a great selection of music as the band show their skills in writing great melodies. Full review here.

4. 'In Colour' by Jamie xx
A fantastic ride through the rainbow colours of British dance music in 2015. Mixing great samples with deft touches and cool guest vocals, it's the soundtrack to a night out you never want to end. Oh, and the vinyl set was beautiful to look at too. Full review here.

5. 'All We Need' by Raury
A warm, touching and uplifting album that mixes 60s flower-child mentality and 70s vibes with bang up to the minute raps. I've been going on about Raury for a couple of years now, and he's continued to prove my faith in him is justified. Still only 19, and global superstardom beckons. Full review here.

6. 'Projections' by Romare
Mostly instrumental, with snippets of samples deftly woven into a collage of emotions, this is a brilliant début album full of heart and history. Ninja Tune certainly know how to pick a winner, and I hope Romare goes on to make many more albums. Full review here.

7. 'The Epic' by Kamasi Washington
Epic by name and epic by nature, if you want to listen to this triple album all the way through you'll need to put three hours aside. It's worth it though - the best jazz album for years in my opinion, and with his role in Kendrick's album as well it's been a mega year for Kamasi Washington.

8. 'The Good Fight' by Oddisee
Consistently my favourite rapper both on record and live, the fact that Oddisee isn't more well known continues to astound me. Intelligent and intellectual lyrics matched with smooth, quality beats (that he produces himself) results in a record that's maybe just too good for the masses to appreciate. Full review here.

9. 'The Delta' by Brolin
Another great début album, as the reclusive producer from Leeds crafts a sleek and soulful album. Influenced by the synaesthesia he experiences when making music, the record feels like a journey of discovery. I reckon there's a lot more to come from him. Full review here. 

10. '1989' by Ryan Adams
In which Adams completely reinvents Taylor Swift's pop masterclass, swapping the pop smarts for emotions, and in doing so makes the record he's secretly wanted to make for years. Cover version heaven. Full review here. 

And numbers 11-40...to be honest the ordering is fairly arbitrary, but you ought to be able to find something you like in here.

11. 'Music Complete' by New Order
12. 'The Race For Space' by Public Service Broadcasting
13. 'Perpetual Motion People by Ezra Furman
14. 'Golden Ticket' by Golden Rules
15. 'Born In The Echoes' by The Chemical Brothers
16. 'Algiers' by Algiers
17. 'Multi-Love' by Unknown Mortal Orchestra
18. 'Shedding Skin' by Ghostpoet
19. 'Lost Themes' by John Carpenter
20. 'Culture of Volume' by East India Youth
21. 'Inji' by LA Priest
22. 'Beauty Behind The Madness' by The Weeknd
23. 'La Vie Est Belle / Life Is Beautiful' by Petite Noir
24. 'Panda Bear vs, The Grim Reaper' by Panda Bear
25. 'Evangelist' by Gavin Clark & Toy Drum
26. 'Hinterland' by LoneLady
27. 'Bones' by Son Lux
28. 'EarthEE' by THEESatisfaction
29. 'Solo' by Nils Frahm
30. 'Get to Heaven' by Everything Everything
31. 'Music In Exile' by Songhoy Blues
32. 'Fold' by Fold
33. 'Return To The Moon' by El Vy
34. 'I Declare Nothing' by Tess Parks & Anton Newcombe
35. 'I Need New Eyes' by Larry Gus
36. 'White Men Are Black Men Too'by Young Fathers
37. 'Portraits' by Maribou State
38. 'Personal Computer' by Silicon
39. 'Magnifique' by Ratatat
40. 'The Most Important Place In The World' by Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat

Recommended music: 'Cosmic Logic' by Peaking Lights

If the music you release is an good indication of how things are going in your life, then all must be pretty good in the Peaking Lights camp right now. Husband and wife team Aaron Coyes and Indra Dunis have made an upbeat electro-pop-dub record that's surely designed for sunshine and good times, rather than their previous releases which were more made for late nights, weed and relaxing. I guess having two kids can make your life change like that.

The murky, scratchy, lo-fi dub of old had been replaced with bright and crisp electronics that in places almost veers towards eurobeat. The one constant is Indra's floaty voice, which swoops and wafts over the backing. Album opener 'Infinite Trips' is a bit of a red herring - it's not trippy, and it's also not very much like the rest of the tracks on the album. 'Telephone Call', which is next up, is a much better indication of things to come, in which Indra signs about phone calls from space and seems to be more than a bit influenced by The Space Lady. Later on, 'Everyone and Us' has a bassline that really reminds me of 'Giant' by The The, although it's probably highly unlikely that they (or even you dear reader) will have heard that. 'Eyes To Sea' (I love that title) is built around a hypnotically repetitive electronic loop, and is followed by 'Bad With The Good', which seems to have stolen all of its keyboard and drum settings straight from the 80s - like a lot of the songs on here it's refreshingly simple and uncomplicated.

'New Grrls' is lyrically the best song on the album, telling how Indra tries to balance being a mum and a wife with being in a band, before listing role models like Joan Jett, Kim Gordon, Yoko Ono and Lydia Lunch. Even if it does sound a bit like Ace of Base 'Breakdown' is a brilliantly catchy tune, and 'Tell Me Your Song' then closes the standard version of the album with a whirligig waltz.

I bought the vinyl version which comes with an extra 12" with remixes of 'Breakdown' and 'Bad With The Good', both of which are excellent. Overall this is probably their most consistently good album and one which is well worth your hard earned pounds or dollars.

Recommended music: 'Shaker Notes' by Paul White

"I try not to think in genres at all, I think music is music!" - Paul White, 2014

Following on from a spell producing hip-hop records for the likes of Danny Brown and Homeboy Sandman, White's third album (the first for R and S Records) is a very different proposition. Putting the samples to one side, he plays pretty much all of the music on here himself, and sings as well. There are guest appearances from friends and even family (his uncle plays the violin on 'Sitting In Circles') but really this is White opening himself up for all to see.

In keeping with the quote at the top of the page there's an array of styles on display here, from the more hip-hop flavoured tracks like 'All We Know', to the Balearic house stylings of 'Where You Gonna Go?' and on to the swampy electro-blues of 'Honey Cats' (and that's just the first three tracks!). Elsewhere there's a hint of Thom Yorke on 'Wait & See', a drums and sax pairing on 'Fighting To Dance' and a dub feel on 'Is It Up To Us?'. 'Sitting In Circles' sounds like a lost 60s film theme, while 'Numbers of Change' is the most electronic thing on here and in part conjures up the ghost of John Carpenter. Closer 'Shaker Notes' is a suitably eclectic and slightly melancholic way to end the record, which wraps up the musical themes that have been explored before it.

Something about this record feels really intimate and personal, it's almost like in ditching the samples and picking up instruments he's managed to communicate a message from his soul. You can stream the whole album below, and after you've listened to it I urge you to buy it for yourself (you can get it direct from his Bandcamp page here). I'm really looking forward to my red vinyl copy arriving in the post but in the meantime I'll be shaking along to the download!