I was digging through my vinyl collection last night to pick out some records and I rediscovered this, I was convinced that somebody had stolen this, so I was ecstatice when I found the worn sleeve of this in amongst my piles of ancient chicago house music. This is something of a collectors item, recorded in 1990 it features one of the first appearances of Paul Daley and Neil Barnes in the guise of Leftfield. They were the production team on this afro-tribal house track, and I mean tribal, none of these modern tracks which merely take you on a voyage into bongo hell. This is the real deal, with ethnic sounds aplenty, it's clear that even 5 years before Leftism was released that they had a sound concept that would last them through their accolade heavy career. If you want this on vinyl expect to pay on the order of 60$ for the 2 different discs - 4 mixes of the record in all. The 'Peng Jammer' mix is probably my favourite. But CD release of this appear to be rare on amazon.com - Lee Coombs closed out his 'Perfecto Breaks' mix with the track. It's a mix CD but I can't say a bad thing about Lee Coombs so it's certainly a worthy addition to you CD collection. But it's not as cool as owning the vinyl! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000075A1A/002-2299184-2356832?SubscriptionId=15AZP1DJ4V427Z6NMB02

I originally heard David Holmes play this, but since he brought it back to the attentiono of music fans everywhere it's become almost a staple. Radiohead even kicked off one of their webcasts with this track, the same webcast where they debuted 'Everything In It's Right Place' . It's an uplifting soul anthem all about how great California is, and I tend to agree with this sentiment

I really don't know anything about the performer or the record, I just love the music, and that's what matters.

Amy and Myself kicked off our wedding music with this track.... now there's some memories

SOme people think is wierd, with lyrics like this they might have something. This cut come from 'Sign Of THe Times', the album frequently cited as the diminutive rockstar's finest. The arrangement takes back seat to the kooky, cheerful vocal. Theres's certianly room for interpretation, but it's far more enjoyable to take it at face value.

Actually I'm not sure what the real name is for the Mix that was a massive hit in 1990 is. WTIL originally appeared in 1988 as the 'Pure Trance' version, this was a trailblazing description that ultimately crystalised into one of the most popular forms of dance music. This is of course from the duo who pretty much created the definitive Ambient House album in the form of 'Chill Out'

The single version had a rapper rhyming over it and a few token samples from the space program and MC5. And it was probably the most exciting thing to hit the charts and it still kicks serious booty on the dancefloor.

Jimmy Cauty and Bill Drummond did some amazing things during their musical excursions, no doubt I'll be talking about them again.

I figured that since the BBC is debuting the ressurected (or should I say regenerated?) Dr Who this weekend that this was an appropriate piece of music to feature.

The Radiophonic Workshop was set up by the BBC's Drama department in the late 50s as a forum for the creation of what were initially termed 'Electrophonic' sounds to accompany specialist radio and TV productions. Most famouslyRon Granier and Delia Derbyshire created the original theme tune to Dr Who in 1963. They didn't have synthesizers in those days, they just recorded tone generators to tape, individual notes, one by one, then they cut the tape into pices of the right length to give the melody the proper tempo.

(People think that cut'n'paste sampling is a relatively recent arrival, well it's been a key component of electronic music for half a century now.)

Everyone knows the tune, with it's dum-duh-dum bassline, swooshy noises and ooo-eeeeooooohhh melody. Orbital used to play it during their live performances and even released a version on their album 'The Altogether'.

The BBC website even has a neat online gizmo that lets you fool around with the tune.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/drwho/2004/12/20/16164.shtml

But, the original is available alongside much more avant garde electronic compositions on the various albums issued by the BBC radiophonic workshop.

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00004TFMK/002-7214099-3367266?SubscriptionId=15AZP1DJ4V427Z6NMB02

However, in my searches I turned up this curiosty....

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00004YVJ6/002-7214099-3367266?SubscriptionId=15AZP1DJ4V427Z6NMB02

Including the somewhat absurdly titled 'I'm Going To Spend Christmas With A Dalek'???????

Edit: here's a compilation of the various incarnations of that famous title tunes over the years

I'll be DJ'ing at the Oasis this Thursday as part of 'April Fooligans' this is a party organised by a load of tribe users. So... time to break out the good tunes and imeem invites. But, I can't go too crazy sinze I'm flying to the UK the day after. * ApRiL fOoLiGaNs!!! * Thursday, March 31st 7-10pm (and beyond …) OASIS –135 12th Street (Madison/Oak), Downtown Oakland $5 (21+) http://www.tribe.net/tribe/ccc60d3b-a44c-43a8-b359-fc93637a5afa?r=1

This one hit me on the way home last night, as I turned onto the Dumbarton Brdige this track came on. The full moon reflected off the bay and you could see shadows of scenery on the bay. It's a perfect track for relaxing me when I'm driving, it has a casual 132 bpm rythym track which evokes the feeling of travelling on a train. Layered over the top are some simple electronic pads and arpegios which are easy on the ear. As a house record it's unlikely to really kick a dance floor onto their feet, but as an uptempo melodic chill out track this is as good as they come. Loafer is Alan Bremmer, this is his one and only Solo production, he's done some remixes under the Loafer name, but he's probably best known for being one half of 'Freefall' with Anthony Pappa who were behind the trance mega hit 'Skydive'. He's also one third of Brothers In Rhythm who have remixed Kylie Minogue, Placebo, Blur and Alanis Morrisette amongst others. It seems to be a hard track to find, I have it on 12" vinyl from Hope records and amazon.co.uk even gives it as ASIN B00005N8FL, but that is doomed to remain perpetually sold out. In it place I feel comfortable suggesting Timo Maas's 'Connected' compilation which features this alongside 20 other rock solid records. http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00005A0IF/002-7214099-3367266?SubscriptionId=15AZP1DJ4V427Z6NMB02

This is a fun happy house number from the days when Norman Cook still called acid jazz outfit Freakpower his day job. Boogie Woogie piano, a hammond organ, a gospel choir, all samples of course pasted together into an irresistable groove. It's not all samples of course, there's a cracking 303 line that builds and breaks through the record. This was a favourite of the Chemical Brothers when they used to DJ at the Heavenly Social and so they invited Norman to DJ the small room. Back then nobody had heard the name 'Fatboy Slim'

Update: Here's the video

Gun were a Glasgow hard rock band in the days when hair bands ruled the airwaves in the US. They didn't do anything particularaly special to differentiate themselves from all the other rock bands at the time, but they produced a few solid rock albums in the late 80's and early 90's. They also played some of the most memorable gigs from my student days, teaming up with Texas (the singers of both bands shared a family connection). So, I love this track, it's a great live number and uptempo enough that I've even played it in DJ sets. Sure, I'm biased in their favour because I'm Scottish, but my musical opinion is the whole driving force behind this journal so I feel totally justified in recommending these guys to the world at large. http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000008GA7/002-2299184-2356832?SubscriptionId=15AZP1DJ4V427Z6NMB02

OMG Gotta Get this, I hear they'll have them in stock April 1st http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0003099MM/002-2299184-2356832