Inbox Jukebox: Tone Idle, Red Army, Kid Adrift & Live at Kalibou Beach

Live at Kalibou Beach

With an almost overwhelming amount of emails coming through each day it’s hard to post everything that’s good. This is an attempt at rectifying this problem and showing some love to the ones which deserve yours and my attention.

Mp3: Live at Kalibou Beach – Slushball

Live at Kalibou Beach are electro duo Dhom and May from Dresden, Germany who “like guitars, some screaming, toy guns, stars and jumping in pools”. This eccentricity is certainly replicated in their music, a rather quirky, uplifting but industrial brand of electro pop with flashes of 8-bit blips. They follow-up last years debut album Brilliant Eyes with Herz Esbjerg in August.

Red Army – Hashrock

Red Army (aka James Fuhring) is no newbie, playing and creating drum & bass since the late nineties and has even hooked up with the maestro Alec Empire. Drum & bass can sometimes seem severely repetitive but thankfully there’s none of that on show here –  much more complex dark, sweeping, forceful and punchy stuff.

Tone Idle – Roll The Drums

Based in the South East of England Tone Idle are duo James Matlock and Marc Manning. These guys have been making bass-filled synth-accented electro tunes together for about 9 months and have also worked closely with A1 Bassline, Tek-One, Joy Orbison and Kavsrave. With a pile of fresh music waiting for release later this year this is surely only the beginning of the story.

Kid Adrift – Static

Glasgow’s Kid Adrift is walking the fine line between rock and electro which can sometimes blow up in your face. That’s not the case here and he’s very much his own man. It is big, dirty and screaming with influences of dubstep and drum & bass – lots of blips, beeps, bass, guitar hooks and catchy vocals galore. ‘Static’ is taken from Oxytocin EP is out now.

Weekly Playlist: Boys Noize, Foamo, B:Tone, PVT & Labyrinth

The weekly roundup of tracks getting a spin around these parts returns for your aural pleasure.

Mp3: Nas & Damien Marley – As We Enter (Foamo Remix)

Looking for a new addition to your summer mixtapes? Look no further than Foamo’s gritty take on the Nas & Damien Marley’s ‘As We Enter’. Unsurprisingly it’s full of Jamaican vibes, old school horns and choppy percussions as the track builds to a frantic climax, if you like Toddla T or Major Lazer you will love this.

Gorillaz – Stylo (Labrinth SNES Remix feat. Tinie Tempah)

There’s been a steady stream of great remixes from Gorillaz fabulous new album Plastic Beach, are we tired of ’em? no chance. This one comes from Labyrinth and features UK rapper Tinie Tempah and some excellent snes-esque blips and beeps, a worthy addition to the growing Gorillaz remix collection.

The Chemical Brothers – Swoon (Boys Noize Summer Mix)

This Boys Noize remix is pretty close to The Chemical Brothers original with some extra sprinkling of summer, a worthy addition to the collection.

PVT – The Quick Mile

Another new from PVT (formerly Pivot) off their forthcoming album Church With No Magic which is out on August 9th – looking forward to this one. (‘Window’ Video)

B:TONE – F For Fake

‘F For Fake’ is taken from Ice Cream Wars EP. Glasgow native B:Tone (AKA Brian Tonner) has made a bit of a rep for himself in his home town for thrilling synthy tunes – expect the same with some climactic of build-ups thrown in for good measure.

Weekly Playlist: Nicolas Jaar, Casiokids, Unkle, Tame Impala…….

A slightly sparse weekly roundup of tracks returns for your aural pleasure.

Mp3: Nicolas Jaar – Love Teacher

19-year-old Nicolas Jaar is apparently creating a bit of a stir across the water in the US. It’s easy to see why with this superbly fresh, subtle and yes, brilliant tune – really looking forward to hearing more from this guy.

Mp3: Tame Impala – Solitude is Bliss (Mickey Moonlight Remix)

Tame Impala’s debut album has been one of the most enjoyable records so far this year, it will of course get some further attention later but until then there is this excellent Mickey Moonlight remix to whet the appetite.

Mp3: Casiokids – Finn Bikkjen

Not a new one by any stretch of the imagination from the beautifully named Norwegian electro-troupe that is Casiokids. absolutely loved this one last summer and yes you guessed it, love it this summer – best get this one spinning while the weather lasts.

Unkle – Follow Me Down (The Golden Filter Remix)

Unkle’s latest album Where Did The Night Fall is unsurprisingly impressive as is the original of this tune but remixes are always welcome here and The Golden Filter give it a dark disco twist.

Audio Bullys – Kiss The Sky (RuN RiOT Remix)

Audio Bullys ‘Kiss The Sky’ gets the RuN RiOT treatment, the London-based producer and musician has crafted a barnstorming high-octane remix brimming with energy and attitude.

Weekly Playlist: The Chemical Brothers, Scratch, The Qemists, Big Charlie, Minitel Rose………

A slightly more comprehensive weekly roundup of tracks returns to compensate for any aural neglect afflicted by The World Cup.

Mp3: The Qemists – Your Revolution

The first serving from Ninja Tunes ‘The Qemists’ as they follow-up Join The Q with the seriously bass heavy ‘Your Revolution’. Only recently becam aware of them but this is a massive tune.

Mp3: The Chemical Brothers – Escape Velocity

The new Chemicals album (more on that later) sees a return to form following some ‘mediocre’ releases, all 9.59 mins of ‘Escape Velocity’ is a frank reminder why they’re one of the greatest electronic artists of all time and should never be written off.

Mp3: Minitel Rose – Wild Birds (Thieves Like Us Remix)

No sooner had I began sinking my teeth into the 80’s obsessed Minitel Rose new album Atlantique and a flurry of mixes appeared on the horizon to distract me. The pick of the pile is Thieves Like US summery mix an overload od groovy beats and wah-wah guitars.

Mp3: Scratch – Too Late (Ft Damon Albarn And Talib Kweli)

What happens when you cross a member of The Roots (Scratch) with Damon Albarn and Talib Kweli? Beautiful majestic and melodic perfectly chilled hip-hop. Where does Albarn find the time?

Mp3: Big Charlie – Roses

Big Charlie are Italian duo Matteo De Ruggieri and Stefano Milella, largely influenced by the likes of Phoenix and Beck they’re sound is difficult to categories with touches of electro samples coming through. ‘Roses’ meanwhile is a meandering, endearing almost lo-fi track at times with some strong Super Furry Animals sentiments to it.

Gorillaz – On Melancholy Hill (The Japanese Popstars Remix)

The Japanese Popstars have to be one of the busiest in the business and hot on the heels of the release of the video for ‘Destroy’ last week comes their long-awaited remix of Gorillaz ‘On Melancholy Hill’, great stuff as usual.

Disco Killah – Ravage Two (Two Charming Men Remix)

It’s hard to believe this is only Two Charming Men’s remix but the Kildare duo have returned with another dancefloor destroyer, this is certainly not the last time we will be acquainted with these guys here or elsewhere. They support FOAMO! at Transmission in The Button Factory, Dublin on 17th July.

Sali Feat M.I.A – Toldya

There was a bit of a stir surrounding this one whether it’s a collaboration or features samples from M.I.A – boo woo! It’s the later but regardless ‘Toldya’ is a decent slice of sample-filled craziness, while I’m not one to cause further trouble it does sound as though it’s borrowed more than a drop of inspiration from EMF’s ‘Unbelievable’.

Weekly Playlist

The weekly roundup of tracks returns in playlist form for your aural pleasure.

Mp3: Beastie Boys – Sabotage (Alex Metric re-edit)

Not too sure what the difference between a ‘re-edit’ and a ‘remix’ is but regardless Alex Metric has been on fire this year does the ‘Stylo’ remix ring any bells? Anyway his turns his magic to an already brilliant ‘Sabotage’.

Mp3: Kavinsky – Nightcall (F.O.O.L Remix)

Kavinsky is yet another 80’s obsessed French electro musician, not necessarily a bad thing but this F.O.O.L remix brings it right up to date.

Mp3: Cilla K – Drive You Home Remix

Drive You Home Remix is taken from New York based songstress Cilla K’s debut album Fine Line,  it’s rich, soulful and intelligent. You’d be surprised what turns up in your inbox.

Mp3: Talib Kweli + Hi-Tek – Ballad Of The Black Gold

Ten years on from the release of  Reflection Eternal’s underground classic Train Of Thought and they’re back with Revolutions Per Minute. If it’s all as good as this we’re in for a treat – truthful, clever and poignant lyrics.

Manus Goan – Woke Up

A bass heavy beauty from Manus Goan’s courtesy of Dublin based electronic collective !Kaboogie’s latest cleverly named label sampler dubnobasswithmyheadshop.

Freebass – You Don’t Know This About Me

What happens when you bring Manchester legends Peter Hook (Joy Division / New Order), Andy Rourke (The Smiths) & Gary “Mani” Mounfield (The Stone Roses / Primal Scream) together? The answer FreeBass. After a five years gestation process they have put together the Two Worlds Collide EP and recruited Tim Burgess for vocal duty.

Weekly Playlist

A new look weekly roundup of tracks returns in playlist form for your aural pleasure. What d’you think?

Mp3: The Roots – Dear God 2.0

‘Dear God 2.0’ is the lead single from The Roots eagerly anticipated 9th studio album How I Got Over.  The track re-imagines the Monsters Of Folk original and features Yim Yames from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes and M. Ward. The last album was absolutely fantastic and this has the appetite well and truly whet.

Mp3: Primary 1 – Hold Me Down (The Shoes Remix)

The jury is still out on Primary 1 who were recently added to the Oxegen bill, there is no such indecision with this remix by The Shoes, unanimous verdict – TUNE.

Mp3: We Are Scientists – Break It Up

Big fan of With Love And Squalor in 2005, less a fan of follow-up Brain Thrust Mastery, do you see where this is going? Actually the first taster from their new album is pretty good and has renewed my interest somewhat even it does sound a little like Inspiral Carpets.

Mp3: The Fall – O.F.Y.C Showcase

Your Future Our Clutter is what seems like The Fall’s millionth album (actually 28th). The amazing part is they still sound fresh and never fail to impress under the stewardship of lead man Mark E Smith and this track falls soundly into that category. The late great John Peel’s description of them being “always different, always the same” is certainly apt.

RSAG – The Roamer

‘The Roamer’ is the first single from Be It Right Or Wrong, the follow-up to RSAG’s Organic Sampler, again instituted is Kilkenny man Jeremy Hickey’s DIY ethic which sees him perform entirely by himself. On this evidence there has been a minor change of tact to a softer less abrasive sound.

Foals – This Orient (Starkey Remix)

I have yet to give Foals new album Total Life Forever the full attention it probably deserves but this remix by Starkey certainly has, it’s pretty awesome as they say.

Johnny Flynn ‘Been Listening’ Album Sampler

The excitement is palpable round these parts at the prospect of Johnny Flynn’s forthcoming album Been Listening, and this album sampler might just have sent us over the edge. It features tracks ‘The Water’ (with Laura Marling), ‘Barnacled Warship’, ‘Churlish May’, ‘Been Listening’ and ‘Kentucky Pill’, some concrete evidence if it was needed that he has picked up where he left off continuing to write unique songs while cleverly molding folks past and present.

Been Listening is released on the 7th June and can be pre-ordered from his website. Johnny is currently on a full UK tour with his band The Sussex Wit but still no sign of Irish dates, here’s hoping.

Playlist #8

The lazylist of tracks for the week returns later than usual for your aural pleasure

This week or last weeks list got held up due to me being too bloody busy but it’s no need to panic. The Like have dropped more beautiful cheery 60’s inspired pop perfect for the summer, Bloc Party front man Kele might have surprised some with the direction of his solo material but this version of his latest single is BIG. There’s a couple of remixes as usual, Empire Machine rework Shout Out Out Out Out whose album you should definitely check out and Caribou is remixed by Mondkopf, who you will be hearing a lot about in the future both here and elsewhere I’m sure.

As well as a great live track from a great live act Simian Mobile Disco there is the simply brilliant Hypnotic Brass Ensemble who recently teamed up with Choice Cuts in Dublin to release the Heritage EP – beautifully blended styles, amazing stuff.

Over and out!

Mp3: The Like – Fair Game

Mp3: Kele – Tenderoni (XXX Dub)

Mp3: Caribou – Sun (Mondkopf Remix)

Mp3: Simian Mobile Disco – Aspic (Live Version)

Shout Out Out Out Out – How Do I Maintain (Emperor Machine Remix)

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Spottie

Breithlá Playlist

Right muchachos time for some reflection of sorts.

So I’ve kept up this blogging malarkey for over two months now and I’m enjoying sharing my musical (and other) views and discoveries with you all. Traffic to the blog has been growing steadily and I would like to thank you all for continuing to listen to my ramblings. I’ve been thinking of ways to make the blog better, hopefully I will get around to implementing these ideas. Consequently if any graphic designers would like to help me come up with a blog banner/logo I’d be forever indebted. Oh suggestions are always welcome on how to improve things.

As it’s my birthday I had hoped to knock a mix of some sort together but I never really got a chance, after mulling over the possibilities I decided  to post some good cover versions instead. Semi-inspired by listening to LCD Soundsystem’s Joy Division cover comes The National, The King Blues, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Hot Rats, Babyshambles (& Friends) and The Kooks take on some classics. Personally speaking, it’s a good selection of covers doing justice and giving a new lease of life to the originals.

That’s not all, there’s two of my favourite songs, Gang of Four’s ‘Armalite Rifle’ (Riot Dog would be proud)and HMHB’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is a Dukkla Prague Away Kit’.

Slán

Mp3: The National – Pretty in Pink (Psychedelic Furs Cover)

Mp3: The Hot Rats – Drive My Car (The Beatles Cover)

Mp3: The King Blues – A New England (Billy Bragg Cover)

Mp3: The Kooks – Victoria (The Kinks Cover)

Mp3: Echo & The Bunnymen – Ticket to Ride (The Beatles Cover)

Mp3: Babyshambles – Janie Jones (The Clash Cover)

Mp3: Gang of Four – Armalite Rifle

Mp3: Half Man Half Biscuit – All I Want for Christmas is a Dukkla Prague Away Kit

Playlist #7

BANG! The lazylist of tracks for the week returns for your aural pleasure.

There’s lots of electro on offer this week with a distinct Irish flavour. The Japanese Popstars drop a track from the deluxe version of We Just Are and there’s some splendid, plucky electronica from Nouveaunoise who will release a debut album this year. One of the busiest remixers at the moment, Toddla T, pops up once again with another fantastic remix, this time Major Lazor is the willing victim. Speaking of remixes, Tiga has come up with an absolute belter reworking Boys Noize ‘Transmission’.

The jury is still out on Jack White’s latest furore The Dead Weather but ‘Die by the Drop’, taken from their new album is pretty tasty, as is LCD Soundsystem’s cover of Joy Division. Not many bands would have the bottle let alone the capabilities to do this justice but thankfully they can.

Mp3: The Dead Weather – Die By The Drop

Mp3: Major Lazor – Hear The Bassline (Toddla T Remix feat. Serocee and Mr Versatile)

Mp3: Boys Noize – Transmission (Tiga Remix)

Mp3: LCD Soundsystem – No Love Lost (Joy Division Cover)

Nouveanoise – Cinnte

Mp3: The Japanese Popstars – Electronic Poet

Playlist #6

The lazylist of tracks which I don’t get round to posting during the week returns for your aural pleasure!

By all accounts it’s been a strange week, most likely because Ive been full of tablets all week trying to shake a dose so please excuse any mistakes or drops in standard, anyway most of these need little introduction. Flying Lotus returns with some glitchy folktronic hip-hop with an eastern touch from new album ‘Cosmogramma’.  The Black Keys whistle down the chimney with some bluesy vibes which only they can do, it is doing the rounds on other blogs for a good reason, it’s great. No playlist would be complete without some bangin’ remixes, The Knocks chill out Marina & The Diamonds while the mercurial Toddla T adds his steel city vibes to ‘Superfast Jellyfish’ and Justin Robertson adds more fizz to Erol Alkan & Boys Noize ‘Lemonade’.

Last but not least, the closest thing to an exclusive for this blog so far from Kildare’s Two Charming Men. Their rework of Lorcan Mak’s ‘4 The Love’ is guaranteed to tear up any dance floor, it’s hard to believe this is their inaugural mix, I’m really looking forward to hearing some more of their stuff in the near future.

Mp3: The Black Keys – Tighten Up

Mp3: Flying Lotus – Do The Astral Plane

Mp3: Marina & The Diamonds – I am not a Robot (The Knocks Remix)

Mp3: Gorillaz – Superfast Jellyfish (Toddla T Remix)

Mp3: Boys Noize & Erol Alkan – Lemonade (Justin Robertson’s Deadstock 33’s Remix)

Lorcan Mak – 4 The Love (Two Charming Men Remix)

Playlist #5

This is fast becoming a lazy list of tracks I can’t be arsed or don’t get round to posting during the week, anyway, don’t let that distract from the tunes on offer this week.

Most of this weeks selection need little introduction. M.I.A returns with a cracking electro punk vibe and Holy Ghost! has remixed the shit outta LCD Soundsytem’s ‘Drunk Girls’. It strangely reminds me of The Undertones, think it’s the backing vocal harmonies or perhaps I’m losing it anway I’m looking forward to the new album. 2 more mixes for your aural pleasure; a thumping rework of Boy-8-Bit and more graphical references with the 16Bit Remix of Skism, simply awesome Dubstep! Last but not least is The Cast of Cheers ‘Tigerfox’, certainly one of the best rock bands in Ireland without doubt, they absolutely blew me away at only their second live gig, not to be missed.

Mp3: Skism – The Blank (16Bit Remix)

Mp3: Boy 8-Bit – Wolfen (Jokers Of The Scene Remix)

Mp3: LCD Soundsystem – Drunk Girls (Holy Ghost! Remix)

Mp3: M.I.A – Born Free

Mp3: The Cast of Cheers – Tigerfox