My Films Of 2009

Fish Tank

Andrea Arnold's second feature (after Red Road) is my favourite film of the year. It features a stunning central performance by unknown Katie Jarvis- playing a alienated teenager on a grim Essex estate. Her mother's boyfriend- played superbly by Michael Fassbender- turns her world upside down when he enters her life. As good as any British film released in the noughties.

Up

Pixar's latest was hilarious and heartwarming without ever resorting to cliche or crass humour.

Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood's rumoured last acting role was fitting. This film had a serious message but was also unexpectadly hilarious with very un-PC themes.

Milk

The 70s were evoked perfectly in this tale of gay rights activist Harvey Milk. Director Gus Van Sant assembled a perfect ensemble cast with Josh Brolin and Oscar winning Sean Penn (in the title role) standing out.

Revolutionary Road

Brit' Sam Mendes secured his place as one of the world's best directors with the sumptuous photography on this heartbreaking suburban story. But really this was all about his wife Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio who reminded me why they're A list stars.

My Gigs Of 2009

A TOP THREE (in no order)

Phoenix- Brixton Academy

For some reason I never thought I'd see the French band live but they absolutely smashed it down the road from my flat. I actually paid for this one too which I think makes it even better. Listen to my own personal Best Of Phoenix on Spotify here...

Radiohead- Reading

Had almost forgotten that Radiohead are the best band in the world until this. In Rainbows is their most complete album and the tracks from it sounded perfect here. Plus there was still room for National Anthem, Everything..., Idioteque, Paranoid Android and Street Spirit. Proper magical. Read a full review at my day job here...

Blur- Hyde Park

The sun shone, the Essex boys wore Fred Perry shirts and played nearly all their best songs in central London. It was truly astonishing if you ask me. Just a shame that new material seems highly unlikely. Buy the CD here...

Three others...

Jamie T @ Electric Ballroom
New song Spider’s Web features ukulele and rhymes Intifada, Robert Palmer and er, pyjamas and yet somehow still doesn’t sound forced, while the killer chorus reminded us of The Clash’s pop moments. On 368 there were echoing 80s style guitars and a rapid Beastie Boys-a-like rap, coupled with a gently sung hook, and while new single Sticks N’ Stones loses some of its breakbeat clarity live it still showcases the solo star’s knack for writing choruses - boasting two so good they put a lot of indie bands to shame. (review here)

Jay-Z @ Ally Pally
Referencing his 10 successive number one albums in the US the rapper thanks his loyal fans before mentioning the previous record holder. He tells the crowd: “Elvis has left the building!” Jay-Z definitely hasn’t. (Full review here)

Kraftwerk @ Bestival
Backed by superb visuals, the four Germans ran through their often sampled bleepy hits including Tour De France, Man Machine and Computer Love. (Full review here)

One Life Stand

Hot Chip - One Life Stand (MySpace Exclusive)

Hot Chip | MySpace Music Videos

Love this track and the sentiments. The Warning was probably my favourite album of 2006 and Made In The Dark is nearly as good. Their new album comes out in 2010 and they play live shows around the same time.

Blakroc

On Letterman.

This record (hear it on Spotify here) is a late contender for my albums of the year list. Love hip hop with a blues feel. Or maybe that should be blues with a hip hop feel.

And Mos is just the collest. Where do I get that hat?

More Clipse

I'm ashamed to say I still haven't heard Till The Casket drops in full. I really need to. Until then i'm loving this on 22 Tracks

Clipse- Footsteps

“Follow me on Twitter n… you can check my timeline/ I’m the quiet one but my intellect is Ein-stein.”

Night By Night

Chromeo "Night By Night" Video from GreenLabelSound on Vimeo.

This song just gets better and better with each listen. And this video (by Jérémie Rozan) shows Dave-1 shocking out in style. Looking forward to the Canadian funk duo's third album in 2010....

My 21 Favourite Albums Of The Decade

Published this list back in March but thought I should repeat it as everyone else is putting theres out now. It was 20 but I had forgot Avalanches. So here are 21 and some honourabe mentions. Think Kid A would be my number one.

Avalanches- Since I Left You
Amy Winehouse- Back To Black
Gorillaz- Demon Days
M.I.A- Arular
M.I.A- Kala
The Streets- Original Pirate Material
The Streets- A Grand Don’t Come For Free
Radiohead- Kid A
The Strokes- Is This It
Kanye West- Late Registration
Daft Punk- Discovery
The Beastie Boys- To The 5 Boroughs
Eminem- The Marshall Mathers LP
N.E.R.D- In Search Of…
Broken Social Scene- Broken Social Scene
Outkast- Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below
Jay-Z- Blueprint
Gnarls Barkley- St Elsewhere
Justin Timberlake- Justified
The White Stripes- Elephant
Arcade Fire- Neon Bible

Honourable mentions: Hot Chip- The Warning, Cornershop- Handcream For A Generation, Gwen Stefani- L.A.M.B, Jay Z- The Black Album, Common- Electric Circus, Wu Tang- The W, Dizzee Rascal- Boy/ Maths, Outkast- Stankonia, Basement Jaxx- Rooty, Lily Allen- Its Not Me, It’s You, Radiohead, In Rainbows.

Any of which would have made my (pretty populist) run down much cooler. But you can’t leave Justin out, right?

10 Best Tracks Of 2009

In my opinion (obviously)

Dirty Projectors- Stillness Is The Move-
Bat for Lashes- Daniel
Jamie T - Sticks n Stones
Lily Allen- Back To The Start
La Roux- In For The Kill (Skream Remix)
Phoenix- 1901
MSTRKRFT (+ John Legend)- Heartbreaker
Eminem/ Dre/ 50- Crack A Bottle
Mos Def- Auditorium
Major Lazer- Hold The Line

Hear these and other things I like here: GET STRAIGHT BEST OF 2009

GaGa GaGaGa

This track was crying out for a remix of this quality. It could have come straight off Hercules and Love Affair's brilliant debut album. Which you should buy here

Joy Orbison

This guy is smashing it at the moment with a gorgeous, chilled, two-step kinda dubstep sound. He's from Croydon- like Benga and Skream and this new track apparently stands for 'Brooklyn Chillin'. MORE HERE

Free Energy

Know very little about this band but like the song, a lot. And indie god James Murphy is involved which is always a good sign.

Props to Drowned in Sound for this

New Late Of The Pier

here:


(produced by Erol Alkan)

Their debut album was one of my fave albums of 2008. The others were:

Lykke Li- Youth Novels
Lil Wayne- Tha Carter III
Soul Jazz Records presents Steppa's Delight
The Bug- London Zoo
Potishead- Third
Moby- Hotel
Black Kids- Partie Traumatic
Hercules And Love Affair
Estelle- Shine
Hot Chip- Made In The Dark
Ladyhawke

Will start banging on about this year's list soon.

Beck/ Gainsbourg

Charlotte Gainsbourg "Heaven Can Wait" from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

A beautiful song

Cinnamon Chasers- Luv Deluxe

Shows the opposite end of the music video scale to Lady GaGa's Bad Romance. It's just as good though and the tune is not bad either.

Dubstep Bangers

Both have been around for a little while but i've only just found them.

Four Songs

For Friday. Big ones, obviously.

Hot Chip- Take It In (@ Abeano)First leak From their new album One Life Stand- which is due out in February.

Solange- Stillness is The Move (@ er Oregon Live)
Beyonce's sister has taken a beat by Erykah Badu, a Dr Dre sample and sung Dirty Projectors amazing track over the top. Not as good as the original but it still works.

Maccabees/ Roots Manuva- Empty Vessels (@ Zane Lowe)The indie band- who have really impressed me in 2009- let Roots Manuva loose on No Kind Words.

Kanye West- I'm So Appalled (@ Nah Right)
He's back and angry. This is just a two minute thing taken from a new mixtape. The chorus is simply the line: “This shit is fucking ridiculous.”

Clipse- Doorman Video

Clipse - Doorman Music Video - Til The Casket Drops Dec 8 from Malice of the Clipse on Vimeo.

Production by The Neptunes

Mos Def In London

Might Mos plays at Kentish Town Forum at the end of this month. I'm going. You should come too. He's one of the best rappers of all time, in my opinion.

BUY TICKETS HERE

60s Rock Photography

Saw Beatles To Bowie- The 60s Exposed at the National Portrait last week. There are some literally breathtaking photos.

From the manufactured pop of Cliff Richard and Sandie Shaw in the early years through The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, The Stones to Hendrix, Bolan and Bowie's psychedelia and glam. Go see it.

New Lady G video

In early Jan I had a phone interview with Lady GaGa. She referenced Andy Warhol and made all sorts of outlandish claims. Watching this eleven months later I'm ashamed I ever doubted she would be the biggest popstar in the world.

Vid by this guy. Interview (for day job) here if you fancy a read

"Allow me to re-introduce myself

My name is Hov!"



Saw Jay-Z live at Ally Pally this week and this track was my personal highlight. It's from The Black Album and is just an absolute banger right?

Read my review at my day job here

On a side note the producer of this track Just Blaze has done a lot of Relapse 2- Eminem's next disc. Will be interesting to hear some Shady tracks without Dre.

Phoenix

Phoenix are one of my favourite bands ever but for some reason I never expected to see them live.

I did last week at Brixton Academy though and they were absolutely incredible. With gorgeous crisp guitars, keys and drums. The lighting and stage design were impeccable too with lazers, projections and backdrops to suit the music.

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is a great album but i'm more into their first two records. After playing most of their new disc in the main set it was the encore that kept me (very) happy.

Everything Is Everything (stripped back)/ Playground Love/ If I Ever Feel Better/ 1901

It was just perfect.

HEAR MY FAVOURITE PHOENIX TRACKS ON SPOTIFY HERE

Producer Posts- Nellee Hooper

Decided to detail some of my favourite producers on here and give you a handy playlist to investigate their work.

Nellee Hooper started off working in Bristol's Wild Bunch sound system which spawned Tricky, Massive Attack and Soul II Soul. He produced Club Classics Vol 1, Blue Lines and Protection before taking his sound to other artists.

LISTEN TO NELLEE HOOPER ON SPOTIFY HERE

His dark, trippy, dancey work with Bjork includes Army Of Me, Hyperballad and It's Oh So Quiet. Working under him at that point were Marius De Vries (Kylie/ Rufus Wainwright/ David Gray) and Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire/ Maccabees).

Since then he has taken his club/ dub sensibilities to pop acts like Madonna, All Saints and Gwen Stefani. And if you ask me you really can't fault the production on this....

Mos/ Black/ Em

Three of my favourite rappers- Mos Def, Eminem and Black Thought (from The Roots) with DJ Premier on the cut. It's Mos that smashes it though.

More Jamie T

Pretty sure Kings and Queens is the best album of the year, i'll write a long appraisal soon. But first here's the new single. A highlight of the record, although in truth every track is fucking superb.

"Stone, glass, concrete and gravel/ All we got to keep us together."

Delphic Vid

DELPHIC - This Momentary
by MaisonKitsune

One of the best vids i've seen in a while. Amazing photography. The tune isn't bad either with an LCD/ New Order kinda vibe.

Annnnnnnnnie

Like a lot of radio DJs it's taken lovely Annie Mac a while to get into her stride as a club DJ. I saw her five or so years ago and she was not as good as last weekend.

At Koko she smashed the packed Camden venue playing remixes of MstrKrft's Heartbreaker and Yeah Yeah Yeah's Heads Will Roll.

And the Radio 1 star was in good company with Zinc on just before her and man of the moment Fake Blood headlining. Earlier dubstep kings Benga and Skream went back to back with the latter playing his excellent new Chromeo remix and Benga taking things in a dirty bass-heavy direction.

Weezy Baby

Check out my review of Lil Wayne @ Hammersmith Apollo this week here
Below is one the best tracks from Tha Carter III and a highlight from the other night. If you don't know Weezy then don't be fooled by the sexual posturing of Lollipop- he's fucking brilliant.

Homeward Bound

Love these boys. This was written by Paul Simon while he was stuck overnight at Widnes train station in Cheshire- when he lived in the UK in the mid 60s. Crazy to watch these two hip cats in 1967. Yes NINETEEN SIXTY SEVEN.

Massively influenced by the British folk scene the duo in turn inspired so many bands and solo artists. Interesting to compare and contrast with this appearance on that sex-pest Letterman's show 40 years later.

The Bridge Over Troubled Water and Graduate soundtracks are great. But I mostly listen to this compilation. Certainly a good way to spend a fiver.

Fiddy's Film

This is gonna be the worst film ever made right? I love Get Rich Or Die Tryin as much as the next man and I really hope Before I Self Destruct is at least a partial return to form. BUT MY GOD THIS MOVIE LOOKS FUCKING ATROCIOUS.

Cowell Hyde

When it comes to showbiz writers Marina Hyde is probably the best. While most celeb goss' simply rehashes rumours she lets celebs/slebs hang themsleves with their own hypocrisy or sense of self importance.

This week's Lost In Showbiz about Simon Cowell is one of her best- picking choice quotes from a recent letter he wrote to his younger self (for the Daily Mail).

EXTRACT BELOW (click text for full article)

Be patient Simon advises his younger self, even though he has heard someone at the record company summarise his output thusly: "Whatever is shit in this company, that is what Simon Cowell does."

It seems so unthinkable now, doesn't it, but I assure you there was a time when Simon made crap records with puppet artists. Actual puppets, like Zig and Zag. However, all is about to change. "In an industry where everyone sells their records primarily through radio," Simon writes to 90s Simon, "you are just beginning to work out that if you sell them through TV instead, there could be an incredible business. A very profitable business."

It was then that he invented MTV. Hang on, that happened a decade earlier. It seems Simon signed two people from the ITV drama series Soldier Soldier, causing "virtually the whole company" to turn against him.

"Luckily you trusted your own instinct," Simon purrs to his younger self. "Robson & Jerome's version of Unchained Melody will give you your first No 1 and become one of the bestselling singles of all time. It changes everything for you. But this is all some way off yet. At the moment, Simon, I am afraid, you must continue to suffer."

In answer to your question, yes. Yes, there is much more of this, as Simon distils the lessons of the 80s boom-and-bust into his own personal Andy Hardy movie. "OK," concedes Simon eventually, "it is true that no one is ever going to publish a book called Simon Cowell, My Struggle."

I might, just for the laugh of seeing the German edition.

She Wolf

I have to post commercial pop tracks every now and again just to knock down any credibility I might have earnt. But seriously I just love proper pop like that Mini Viva tune and this superb new single from gorgeous Shakira.

Shakira - She Wolf official video music
by andrexfriends

According to Wikipedia its produced by Santogold and written by members of indie also-rans The Bravery. Love those howls- and the video clearly.

New Big Boi

Another great track has leaked from Big Boi's forthcoming and marvellously named Sir Luscious Left Foot and the son of Dusty Chico. This one features Too $hort and George Clinton and is produced by Organized Noise (who are responsible for many Outkast classics including B.O.B).

I just hope this album sees the light of day soon. It's ridiculously delayed now.

Nasty Nas In Your Area...

About to cause mass hysteria.



Interviewed Nasty Nas, Escobar, God's Son on Friday. Was an honour. It was brief but he was friendly and obviously very cool.

This is my favourite track of his ever. Oh and he signed my copy of Illmatic "1 Love, Nas."

Miike Snow- Black & Blue

Have been meaning to post about this group for a few months. Two thirds of the Miike Snow are superior Swedish pop producers Bloodshy & Avant (Britney's Toxic/ Ms Dynamite's It Takes More/ Rachel Stevens' Sweet Dreams My LAX).

This is my favourite track from their self titled debut album.

PJ Harvey

Jools Holland's show returned on Friday. Let's be honest there is always someone good on there, right? I've lost count of the bands that i've discovered through the programme.

It's a good excuse to post this spine tingling performance from a very young, and very beguiling, PJ Harvey.

New Chromeo

Love anything Chromeo touch. And i'm told (alright I saw it on his Twitter) Skream has done a remix of the song. Should be special.

Bestival...

Was bloody great. Massive Attack were very deep, Lily looked bloody gorgeous, the new site layout mostly worked well. The days were hot, the nights were dewey. Kraftwerk were just utterly incredible. I need to hit a record shop and buy some records by them. Until then i'll be watching this...



Read my full review at my day job here

Jamie T Remix

Get the Ben Bones re-jiggle of Jamie's Chaka Demus HERE.

Ben Bones is Jamie T's partner in crime- jointly responsible for his music and production.

Mercury

I won't say I told you so but... here and here

Massive Attack

Here's the band i'm most excited to see at Bestival this weekend. Been a long time fan of Massive Attack but never seen them live. Check out Karmacoma (live) above and hear their brilliant new song Splitting The Atom here It's a return to form.

Fish Tank

Please go see this film. Katie Jarvis and Michael Fassbender both put in, literally, breathtaking performances. Andrea Arnold's direction is handheld (i.e shaky) but still stunning.

And to me it portrays the Essex I know. I didn't grow up in the London side of the county but can identify with the fields, council estates, broken down families and often unbelievable accents.

Mostly I just love Katie's story. Found arguing with her boyfriend at an Essex train station aged 16- she was given the part on her 17th birthday. She had a baby four days before the film's Cannes premiere and now has the same agent as Johnny Depp.

I interviewed her recently and she said: "I’m just waiting for the right script to come up, cos I want to try something a bit different from Fish Tank now, and just push myself and see how far I can go."

Dizzee is an absolute legend

Watch it all the way through:

Blueprint 3 nearly here...

Jay-Z's just the most effortlessly cool person on the planet I reckon. Blueprint 3 has leaked in full now and i'll give you the Get Straight verdict in a week or so when i've had a proper chance to listen to it.

Put It On Big L

Went to a gig this week that put me in such a grump that I decided to only listen to angry old school New York hip hop from now on. My current obsession is Big L.

"I got the wild style, always been a foul child, my guns go 'poom boom' and your guns go 'ow pow'."

He was shot dead in February 1999 (aged 25) in Harlem.

Dirty Projectors

I'm late giving this Brooklyn band a plug. Mainly because I wasn't entirely sure I liked the album (Bitte Orca on Domino) at first. But it's a serious grower and i'd now safely say it's one of my favourite discs of the year.

Stillness Is The Move (above) is more immediate than most tracks and is almost pop. The video is pretty unique too. I know nothing about the group but they remind me of a lot of Broken Social Scene. Find out more here...

Mos Def Is Back

BACK DOWN KANYE, T.I, LIL WAYNE, DRAKE, KID CUDI, ASHER ROTH and, well EVERY OTHER RAPPER AROUND. MOS IS BACK!

And The Ecstatic is one of the best albums of 2009. It's not Black On Both Sides but not many hip hop albums can compete with that classic in my eyes. Buy it.

"We are alive in amazing times/ delicate hearts- diabolical minds/ revelations, hatred, love and war/ and more and more and more and more/ More of less than ever before."

Jamie T- Chaka Demus

Stiiiiil can't wait for the album Kings & Queens due next month.

Gilbert & George

After seeing the Jack Freak pictures at the White Cube this weekend I think Gilbert & George may be my favourite artist(s).

I was sceptical about the duo at first. Aside from the sometimes extreme sexual imagery it seems a bit narcissitic to put your face in every image and present yourselves as living sculptures. But after seeing more of their massive prints (check out the room at Tate Britain) I get it.

G&G's new work uses particularly British imagery- including artefacts from the duo's East London endz. There are Union Jacks, war medals, street signs, Evening Standard logos and their trademark bare branches.

The new works are only on show at the gallery's two sites until August 22. So go. I highly recommend it. And I wish I could afford this. £2k plus VAT:

I Left My Heart In Tokyo

I actually did live in Tokyo as a baby- fact fans. Xenomania checklist:

Thumping kickdrum
Euphoric dance breakdown
Insanely catchy chorus
Synths-a-plenty
Serious Tune

Where The Wild Things Are New Trailer

There are a lot of amazing looking films coming out toward the end of 09. Inglourious Basterds, Scorsese's Shutter Island, the Meserine movies, Joe Wright's The Soloist, Judd Apatow's Funny People and Sam Mendes's Away We Go to name a few.

But this tops my must see list. Written by Maurice Sendak and Dave Eggers. Music by Karen O and Arcade Fire. Directed by Spike Jonze.

Watch a great featurette here too

Sunsets and that

I haven't blogged much about my two weeks in Croatia. Who wants to hear about someone Else's' amazing holiday? Not me. But I can't recommend it enough. The natural beauty of the mountains and blue sea is fairly unbeatable in Europe. Plus the people are great.

Anyway as I said who wants to hear... so here are three of the best pictures I took. Bottom is the Blue Lagoon near Petracane- a seriously hidden swimming and chilling spot. Top is the sunset over the Adriatic from a boat (again near Petracane). And in the middle a cathedral in the medieval Dubrovnik old town. You should go.

Major Lazer Head To London

Major Lazer "Pon De Floor" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Diplo, Switch and if we're lucky a load of the vocalists from the album are heading to Hoxton in September for a live show. I'm gonna buy my ticket right about now and then book the next day off work. They'll also be at Bestival.

I don't quite know what to say about the above video other than don't watch it if you're easily offended. FIND OUT MORE HERE

SATAN

Sorry about my lack of posts recently. Been away again. This time a brief work trip to Ibiza for an Orbital event. The highlight of their set was definitely Satan. Watch it above from Glasto 2002. As you can see they don't fuck about when it comes to lights and visuals.

Poor. Old. Tired. Horse.

Saw this exhibition at the ICA and it was real interesting, and free. If I understand right it's all art that includes words, poetry and (often) typography. Sure they explain it better on the website. Highlights included work by Ferdinand Kriwet and Alasdair Gray.

The best thing though is two huge posters by Janice Kerbel taken from her 'Remarkable' series. Check one out below by clicking this in full size and (maybe) reading the words aloud.

Em's Warning To Mariah

This is just brilliant. I mean pretty hardcore but witty and hilarious. The Dre beat is great and the Mariah snippets near the end are worked in so well. As far as diss' tracks go this is up there with Ether. Oh go on then...



Eminem murdered you on your own shit/ you a dick riding faggot/ you love the attention/ Queens niggers run you niggers ask Russell Simmons

Tom Bower Vs Desmond

This was a really interesting Libel trial that finished last week and exposed a lot about the way Express/ Star owner Richard Desmond works. Tom Bower is a journalist who has worked for Panorama and written books about Robert Maxwell, Conrad Black and, er, Richard Desmond.

Read Tom Bower's account in this excellent article- written for The Observer.

EXTRACT: On my left, fiercely clasping his wife's hand, sat the permatanned and constantly smiling Desmond. Over the past 30 years, the former advertising salesman's outrageous behaviour while becoming a billionaire has been concealed from public scrutiny by Britain's draconian defamation laws. To prevent the publication of Rough Trader, my unauthorised biography of Desmond which was completed and printed in 2006, Desmond devised a libel complaint gleaned from a passage about himself in my biography of Conrad Black published in 2007.

When You're Rolling In Cash

Major Lazer feat. Jahdan Blakkamoore- Cash Flow
This is my current favourite track on the Major Lazer album. Go buy it.

"I'm a vegetarian/ Read like a librarian/ Catch me rolling with mad Rastafrians."

One of these things is true about me. Obviously the Rasta bit.

Amy, Amy, Amy

I've been listening to this song (track one on Frank) a lot since seeing pics of Amy in court last week. I don't wanna speak too soon but she almost looked healthy.

I don't think i've written about Wino here before but despite the tabloid dramas (a lot of which i've written up myself) I think she's one of the most important artists of the decade and her music has been a credit to both the UK and London. She won four Grammys in one night! I really hope she makes more music of the same quailty.

'I don't wanna meet your mother, any time/ I just wanna grip your body, over mine.'

Beasties & Nas

Really sad to hear MCA has cancer, but definitely glad that it won't affect his voice and that it should be treatable. The Beasties' new disc Hot Sauce Committee (which i've been lucky enough to hear) has now been delayed and dates cancelled.

However their collabo with Nas from the album Too Many Rappers has leaked and as I said before it's a really solid track with smart rhymes from all four hip hop legends. And if you like this just wait till you hear their ska flavoured track with Santi(o)gold.

Get the track here (Via Different Kitchen)

See MCA's cancer statement here

Paris Remix

Above- Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers' Pomipou Centre completed 1977

This was one of the tunes of my trip to Croatia. It was played by Giles Peterson and brought about a similar moment to hearing this tune in Berlin back in January.

I'm later than a lot of bloggers on this song but if you haven't got it please do download it now.

Friendly Fires- Paris (Aeroplanes & Au Revoir Simone remix) HYPEM

Mercurys

Here are my two cents on the longlist announced today. I think Speech Debelle or Bat For Lashes should win. Those are definitely two of my favourite albums of 2009. I told you about Speech back in May and talked about my love for Bat For in March. Plus I think Natasha Khan stands a good chance of winning it too after missing out for her debut.

Elsewhere La Roux is good but not as good as Lily Allen's It's Not Me, It's You. The Mercury judges could have been braver and put her up for the prize. Metronomy should be there too.

Glasvegas' debut is gloomy but grew on me and Friendly Fires definitely deserves to be on there. I must confess I haven't heard the full Horrors, Kasabian or Florence records. But I do need to.

Kid Cudi ft Common and Kanye- Make Her Say

Video: 8/10
Beat: 8/10
Cudi's verse: 5/10
Kanye's verse: 5/10
Common's verse: 6/10

Jus' A Rascal?

Didn't get to post this before my holiday. But I think Jude Rogers' excellent article about Dizzee Rascal (from the Guardian) is spot on. As the most talented UK rapper of the last decade he should have been a household name long ago. But thank god it's happened now.

EXTRACT: "Dizzee is human to a fault. He raps about pulling his socks up, sirens, and - pardon me - "pussyoles". Next to (Michael) Jackson's ghostly chalk, he is very much a cheese of the kind stocked in your corner shop.

But that isn't a handicap for Dizzee at all. On the contrary, his ability to make ordinary things sound fabulous has made him, finally, Britain's first black male superstar."

I've loved all three of his albums- his next one Tongue N Cheek is due in September. I hope Diz' keeps some of those faults and it's not all Calvin Harris style dance pop. He's hinted that The Prodigy will produce a track for the record and if he gets a beat out of Liam Howlett (succeeding where many others including Madonna have failed) it should be special.

Summertime

Okay so i've been away on holiday and the weather hasn't been great in the UK. In croatia I enjoyed 35 degrees most days. When I say 'enjoyed' I mean I sat in the shade drinking beer.

Anyway this was one of the tunes of my holiday. A DJ played in at the Garden Festival an hour or so before the sunset- and not long after Stevie Wonder's incredible As. Hopefully I have brought some good weather back with me. DRUMS PLEASE...

On Holiday

I'm away for a couple of weeks now (in Croatia since you asked) so won't be updating Get Straight. Here's some things to do though:

Go to Lovebox and watch N*E*R*D, Mr Hudson, Friendly Fires, Joakim, Norman Jay, MPHO and Duran Duran. Find out more here and watch Rio here


Watch the new print of Hitchcock's North By Northwest at the BFI and other cinemas around the country. If anyone has made a wittier, sexier or more compelling film I have yet to see it. And of course it looks great from the opening scenes of 50s New York to the climax at Mt. Rushmore. Not forgetting the scene where Cary Grant is attacked by a crop duster plane. Oh and don't bother with Public Enemies it looks good but that's about it.

Buy, beg or download the Major Lazer album. Switch, Diplo and loads of vocallists have created a monster dancehall electro mash up record perfect for summer parties.



Finally watch and listen to this. One of my favourite summer tunes from the Avalanches really rather classic album- plus it appropriately samples Holiday by Madonna. Laters.

Blur In Hyde Park

Going to this on Friday and I'm way too excited. They are definitely one of my favourite bands ever and i'd argue Damon Albarn is the most influential British musician of the last 15 years.

Here are possibly my Top 10 Blur tracks some of which they are highly likely to play at Hyde Park (Coffee, Tender) and others they almost certainly won't (You're So Great).

You’re So Great
Tracy Jacks
Clover Over Dover
Tender
The Universal
Out Of Time
Coffee & TV
Country Sad Ballad Man
London Loves
Charmless Man

As you can see i'm all about Blur and Parklife.

UPDATE- IT WAS FUCKING INCREDIBLE. Straight into my top few gigs ever with Daft Punk @ Wireless, White Stripes @ Astoria and Radiohead @ Glasto. Nearly cried my eyes out during both End Of A Century and The Universal.

Jamie T At Camden Electric Ballroom Review

WRITTEN FOR THE DAY JOB LAST WEEK...
Not many artists crowd-surf during their opening track- but at his London comeback gig Jamie T was quick to clamber on top of the devoted audience.
A rowdy show from the start, by the second song MTV was covered in beer, and by the Wimbledon boy’s sixth track there was a fight breaking out at the bar.

Up onstage JT and his Pacemakers debuted new tracks from his forthcoming second album Kings And Queens and ran through the finest moments of debut Panic Prevention.

New song Spider’s Web features ukulele and rhymes Intifada, Robert Palmer and er, pyjamas and yet somehow still doesn’t sound forced, while the killer chorus reminded us of The Clash’s pop moments.

On 368 there were echoing 80s style guitars and a rapid Beastie Boys-a-like rap, coupled with a gently sung hook, and while new single Sticks N’ Stones loses some of its breakbeat clarity live it still showcases the solo star’s knack for writing choruses - boasting two so good they put a lot of indie bands to shame. (WATCH THE VIDEO HERE)

Salavador and If You Got The Money now sound anthemic but still unexpected- thanks to Jamie’s twisting stream of consciousness lyrics. Panic Prevention highlight Ike And Tina is given a punk revamp while set closer Sheila is just perfect pop.

It was hard not to smile when Kappa tracksuited Jamie played Calm Down Dearest, prompting the previously testosterone heavy crowd to suddenly start hugging. And If you’re heading down to Glastonbury this weekend the returning Mr T is certainly worth chucking a beer and having a cuddle to.

D.O.A

This song just gets better and better with more listens. And as if the lyrics weren't enough he's now blowing up ring tone rapper cliches. Literally. Bring on Blueprint 3...

Jay-Z's "D.O.A" Video!

Sean(e) Paul

Been hanging with Sean Paul this week. Well, when I say hanging I mean I've met him twice briefly while he's been over to preview his new album Imperial Blaze. I've had serious stick from mates in the past for being a fan but fuck that- he makes bangers.

This is one of my fave SP tracks (although I prefer the album version).

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD AND INTO THE BED GIRL!"

Rogers Vs Charles

I've been following Prince Charles and Richard Rogers' debate over the Chelsea Barracks site closely and am obviously inclined to side with the architect. He did design The Dome, Lloyds of London (pictured), The Pompidou and various other groundbreaking and just plain cool buildings. Plus i've been past Charles's creepy village Poundbury and it's horrible.

But as so often happens a better writer evaluates the arguments more succinctly. As Stephen Bayley points out in The Observer Rogers is hardly known for housing projects.
FULL ARTICLE HERE

EXTRACT: They have things in common. Each is an unworldly, ultramontane exotic, fiercely protective of his privileges. The grit and frustration of everyday survival are unknown to them... The fabulous absurdity of the media "debate" between Prince Charles and Richard Rogers is that each is a historical relic. The prince is a throwback to the 18th century and beyond, the architect is a suntanned survivor of the 20th.

Hot Sauce Committee

This is the cool cover to the Beastie Boys new album WHICH I HAVE HEARD. I genuinely might get shot up if I say too much about it after signing all sorts of legal documents. There was even an ex army guy at the label listening session who gave me a right pat-down. I will say that guest vocalists Nas and Santigold both sound great on the album.

Read the tracklist at my dayjob

Watch some low quality footage of the Nas track Too Many Rappers at Nah Right

Two hip hop classics

For a Friday afternoon.

Garden And Cosmos

Saw this really cool exhibition last week with my girl CC. There are some beautifully detailed royal paintings from Northern India from the 17th-18th century. I learnt a lot about the life with the Maharajas of Rajastan, the Hindu religion and 'The Absolute.'

The art has never left India until now and is really well presented in the underrated British Museum- which is worth visiting for Norman Foster's stunning glass roof alone.

New Wu?

Rap Radar has the exclusive of the vid for Raekwon ft Method Man and Ghostface- New Wu. Is it a dig at controlling Wu-Tang head honcho RZA? I dunno but I like the tune- which is presumably from Only Built For Cuban Linx II although you never know with these guys.

I once interviewed Method Man and he did some card tricks on me before the cameras started recording. Then GZA and Inspectah Deck turned up and I had to get them to pick their favourite music videos for an MTV Base show. It was a cool afternoon.

Shutter Island Trailer

It's rare that I post movie trailers but this is Martin Scorsese directing Leo, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo and (SIR) Ben Kingsley in a chiller/ thriller/ horror. WOAH.

New Clipse- I'm Good

Clipse have leaked their new single- one of two set to come out in the next few weeks. After a couple of listens i'm not sure it's for me- not really feeling the soft Pharrell production. I like Clipse when they're more gangster.

GET THE FREE MP3 AT COMPLEX HERE
Still can't wait for the album though and the chance to hear the rappers work with some non-Neptunes producers.

Raindrops Video

BACK DOWN Calvin Harris, DeadMau5 and you vocoder loving rappers. The Jaxx are back.

What a week in politics...

I actually have very little to say about the elections, Labour's implosion or even Alan Sugar. Yes I did vote and I am praying that slimy c--- Nick Griffin doesn't win an MEP seat. I'll let better writers do the rest. Marina Hyde is one of my favourite journos- she writes celeb (see the peerless Lost In Showbiz), sport and political comment for The Guardian. This is my fave piece on the week's events.

AN EXTRACT: Most recently (Hazel) Blears was pictured smirking knowingly while sporting a "Rocking the boat" brooch. What an absolute card she is. Doubtless Hazel will now claim back the cost of the brooch on her expenses, on the basis that it was necessary for her to perform her public duties.

Lawrence Watson

Stumbled across this exhibition between Old St and Brick Lane the other day. It's well worth seeing. Some fucking cool shots of hip hop pioneers like Public Enemy, Run DMC and LL Cool J.

Later shots include Brit-pop heroes including well known Blur, Oasis and Paul Weller photos (mostly for NME). My favourites were prints of Tricky and Roxanne Shante. Just wish I was rich enough to buy them. FIND OUT MORE HERE

Jay Z- Death Of Autotune

This week Jigga announced The Blueprint 3 will be out September 11. That's 8 years to the day since The Blueprint- which is probably the most accomplished and complete commercial hip hop album of all time.

Now the first track from the album has leaked- D.O.A. Until now it was thought Kanye had produced all the beats for B3 but this one is by fellow Chicago producer No I.D. I (of course) look forward to the full album....

UPDATE: GET CDQ MP3 AT RAP RADAR

GO SEE THIS FILM

It's really funny, touching and at times a bit scary. The acting, script and Ken Loach's direction are all first class. Plus they show some of Cantona's best goals. Which were obviously amazing, even the ones scored against Spurs.

MPHO Box N Locks

I'm really into this "crazy little brown girl raised in Brixton town girl." She released a free mixtape earlier this year which showed a lot of promise and looks pretty cool in this video.



She's a pop-approximation of Santogold but with Brixton attitude. In fact she's been working with Santo' producer Switch- who has also made beats for M.I.A and is basically the king of remixes. On Box' he borrows quite a bit (ie- the whole song) from Martha & The Muffins 80s hit Echo Beach.

Jamie T- Sticks 'N' Stones

This is one of the best singles of the year so far in my humble opinion. A bastard cousin of Ike & Tina from Jamie's debut Panic Prevention. It's out June 28 and hopefully bodes well for his second album.



"When there's no one left to fight/ boys like him don't shine so bright/ soon as I see the dust settle/ he's out on the town trying to find trouble."

Beastie Boys (backed by The Roots)

The Beasties announced this week that their new album will be called Hot Sauce Committee. Sadly no release date was announced but their last rap album To The 5 Boroughs is one of my fave hip hop records of all time so I am excited.

Check out them playing a classic on Jimmy Fallon's chatshow this week. Backed by The Roots.

Mad Decent With Diplo

This year i've seen some good DJ sets. 2ManyDjs at Snowbombing reminded me how good the Belgian duo are. Benga Vs Skream in Berlin was special. The Count and Sinden killed it at the Camden Crawl.

But Diplo @ Bugged Out (and IN some car park) was unbelievably banging. Though he started with his tradmark Baille funk house sound the Baltimore boy swerved from the that path early on- playing a version of Smells Like Teen Spirit. Obviously he laid an M.I.A acapella on the top too.

Here are two highlights. This Booka Shade tune was played with the opening lines of N.E.R.D's Everybody Nose over the top. "All the girls standing in the line" etc...



And this was part of the hip hop finale. It's Diplo's own production for M.I.A with a sample of The Clash's Straight To Hell playing a key role. The pair wrote it to send up commercial hip hop- those gunshots and till registers in the chorus give it away. Yet the track was nominated for Best Song at the Grammys. This is the remix...



(FIND OUT ABOUT DIPLO AND DAVE TAYLOR'S NEW PROJECT MAJOR LAZER HERE)

Guernica

I've now seen this installation- which features a 1955 tapestry of Picasso's Guernica- twice at the Whitechapel Gallery.

It's 70 years since the original was in the same spot. It was shipped to East London to raise awareness of the Spanish Civil War by Labour and the trade union movement. The original entrance fee was a pair of boots to be sent to the frontline Republicans.

As the blue curtain backdrop suggests this recreation usually hangs in the United Nations headquarters in New York. Picasso's work was re-contextualised when Colin Powell covered it up before giving a press conference arguing for intervention in Iraq.

And the room it sits in for the next year- created by Polish artist Goshka Macuka- also showcases a statue of Powell, recent and archive press cuttings and related short films. It's a collision of art, history and politics which frame's Picasso's anti-war classic superbly.

Bugged Out! London

I'M GOING TO THIS. ARE YOU COMING?

Bank Holiday Sunday May 24th - Mad Decent & Crookers double bill!
Mad Decent presents Diplo, Fake Blood, Skream, Boy 8 Bit, Mumdance. Crookers presents Crookers & MC, Riva Starr, Hannah Holland, Nic Sarno.
Union Car Park, 29 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 (TICKETS HERE)

Chromeo Hit Yo Gabba Gabba

Dave 1 and P-Thug bring the funk to kids TV. And help stop Swine Flu and other diseases at the same time. What more do you want?

Eminem Relapse Review

A lot has happened in hip hop since Eminem’s last album came out five years ago. And a lot has happened in Shady’s personal life- with his best friend Proof shot dead the rapper became addicted to all manner of prescription pills. Hence the album’s overriding theme.

It’s a surprise then that two of the finest tracks on Relapse return to long time preoccupations- or as he calls Mariah Carey the 'permanant fixture in my lyrical mixture.' Bagpipes From Baghdad is the song that's been causing Nick Cannon sleepless nights but also the track where his rhymes sound most alive. On that song and Stay Wide Awake the Detroit native uses a new faster vocal style- which thankfully shies away from his high pitched whine used too frequently in recent years.

In My Mom he returns to his nightmare childhood and adds blame to his mother for recent drug problems. Em' is certainly self aware though and admits "I know you're probably tired of hearing about my mom," before faking a cry.

Eminem has toned nothing down- continuing his Christopher Reeve obsession, love of fart jokes and violent threats (on 3am). He also talks about being abused himself on the aptly titled Insane. The track makes uncomfortable listening as Marshall details child rape in forensic detail. It's like one of those documentaries about paedophiles which is nearly too hard to watch.

As on his last disc Encore Slim runs out of things to say on a few songs- particularly Must Be The Ganja and We Made You- resorting to celeb-baiting and vague threats. The thing is he still says nothing better than Lil Wayne, T.I or his protégé 50 Cent.

On production duties Dr Dre is back to his bass-bumping best- from the west coast piano tinkle on Crack' through the Scottish stomp of Bagpipes’ to Underground's off-kilter darkness. R&B and pop acts are sure to be knocking at the Doc's door soon.

The album peaks when Eminem is raw, open, honest and hurting. On Beautiful and Déjà Vu he is self-pitying but also at his confessional best. And while he never reaches the heights of his Marshall Mathers LP Relapse is enough to confirm the return of one of the most important MCs in the game.

A Bluebell-centric photo

Taken in a wood near St Albans on the May Bank Holiday.

mstrkrft ft John Legend- Heartbreaker

TURN YOUR SPEAKERS UP. This unlikely collabo might just be my tune of the summer. Love the euphoric house keys.

His name is Dizzee Diz

Awesome to see Dizzee on Jonathan Ross- he was very eloquent and well funny. Who was the last young credible British artist on that chat show? The only similar I can think of is Girls Aloud or Lily Allen- but they're tabloid darlings. I literally spat my beer out when he joked about his mum stabbing him- but then I was a bit pissed.

Also Bonkers is obviously brilliant. WATCH IT HERE

Speech Therapy

This week i've started to figure out what records i'll be listening to this Summer. Obviously Eminem, possibly The Maccabees, probably MSTRKRFT but definitely Speech Debelle.

The South London lady releases her debut album Speech Therapy on June 1 through the consistently class Ninja Tune/ Big Dada label. It's a very laid back and insightful hip hop record. Speech' is as honest as the best MCs around- Biggie, Jay, Dizzee- and has a flow reminiscent of early Estelle.

DOWNLOAD: SPEECH DEBELLE- DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL

Like label mate Roots Manuva her reference points are as British as cheese on toast too. It's an accomplished enjoyable album that proves UK hip hop isn't just about Chipmunk, Tinchy and (god forbid) Ironik. MYSPACE HERE

Paloma Faith

This is kinda the most obvious thing i've ever written on this blog but Paloma Faith is gonna be massive. Saw her support my mate Josh (see below) earlier this week and she's pretty brilliant and will inevitably be compared to Amy W while Pixie Lott is being lined up as the next Duffy. It's just how record labels work.

Paloma has a duet with Josh lined up for her debut album which is just brilliant. Check this video directed by Sophie Muller.

Dark Night Of The Soul

I spend late nights debating (with myself) who my favourite producer of all time is. There's Dre, Timbaland, Rick Rubin, even Liam Howlett. But certainly up there is Dangermouse (aka Brian Burton) who was responsible for two of the best albums of last year- from The Shortwave Set and Gnarls Barkley.

Plus he's unafraid to take risks. He mashed up The Beatles and Jigga on the Grey album created a conceptual masterpiece with Damon Albarn (Demon Days) and took Cee-Lo's mental health issues to number one (Crazy).

He's continued the risk taking with a new album-concept-project with Sparklehorse called Dark Night Of The Soul which will be released as a book and CD with images by David Lynch. Yes, David Lynch. The album also features The Flaming Lips, Julian Casablancas, Iggy Pop, Gruff Rhys and Suzanne Vega. WOW.

YOU CAN HEAR IT AT THE CHRYSALIS MUSIC BLOG

Fischerspooner Live

Heavy bank holioday weekend. It all kicked off on Friday at the Neon Noise Project at the Coronet with Sebastian, Yuksek and Fischerspooner. The above video gives an idea of the insane performance art that the duo provide.

Buy their great second album Odyssey if you don't know FS.

Boom Boom Vid

I've gone on about this song so much that there is nothing else to say. Other than the final third (after Fergie's scream) sounds like a Chemical Brothers record. LET THE BEAT ROCK

Josh Weller- Push

I genuinely have two friends who are professional musicians. My guess is most other music journos are much cooler and regularly hang out with bands. I'm just not trendy enough.

This guy Josh is one of the two. We both lived in a converted schoolhouse in Greenwich over two years ago and met when there was a power cut and everyone came out into the hallway. True story.

This week he's in Music Week and has been featured as Record of The Day's er, record of the day. His single launch is next week. This video was made for £120- the cost of a make up artist and lunch! MYSPACE HERE