Newsletter Extras: 7th April
Albums, books, mixes, a documentary and dancing like no one's watching...
While I still consider my social media use to be something I want to hem in a little more, I am proud to say that a lot of the time I spend bouncing around various apps on my phone it’s part of a mission to gather information. I am such an avid, and naturally curious, researcher, and anytime I come across something of interest I’ll add it to a running list on the whiteboard next to my workspace.
Most of the things on that list make it to this Extras section of my newsletter. Similar to when I’m DJing, it’s connected to an aspect of my being that loves to share the things that move me. In this edition, I’ve dedicated some space to a couple of albums - always one older release and one brand spanking new LP. A couple of books, which caught my eye recently. Pioneer/Alphatheta’s new documentary, which I went to see a couple of weeks ago. Mixes I’ve been rinsin’. A little bit about dancing, in response to a comment I saw on an Instagram clip… and One More Tune!
I’m particularly keen to hear your views on the documentary, so please do drop me a line and share your thoughts and opinions once you’ve seen it.
Album Recommendations
Lakeway
I’ve Missed The Sun
[1 More Thing]
1 More Thing have really set the standard when it comes to independent support of underground music and the people connected to it. This is their first release and what a way to set your stall out. I’ve Missed The Sun traverses all manner of tributaries that feed into the British electronic music space, from hardcore and D’n’B through to more home listening sounds and less classifiable compositions - all created away from the hype train. What you get here is unfiltered, unaffected stylings that stand on their own, while also forming a cohesive body of work that reverberates out from Lakeway’s core. When you find out that it was made “under a heavy cloud of mental health”, the title and tunes start to make more sense. Even without that personal insight, you’re bound to feel the music here deeply…
The Bug
London Zoo
[Ninja Tune]
When I interviewed Flowdan last year he told me The Bug had been a big inspiration for being unapologetically himself. This album is sonically astounding, especially when you hear the music on a proper system. The Bug has carved out his own lane, carrying on the lineage of our soundsystem ancestors with a powerful and uncompromising incarnation of the music that emanated out of that culture. My personal favourite is ‘Skeng’, which I could happily play on loop all day long. ‘Poison Dart’ and ‘Jah War’ are another couple of percies, however you really have to dig into the album as a whole. There’s so much in there, the sound design, the rave elements, the vocals (from some absolutely amazing artists) and the BASS. My God, the bass is out of this world. Legendary album. Get it on now!
Books That Are Worth A Look
James Hamilton’s Disco Pages 1975-1982
Super Weird Substance
If you still use Facebook and you don’t follow Greg Wilson, stop reading this and go follow him now. Greg’s page is an absolute GOLDMINE of British dance music history, and not just in the posts he shares, but if you delve into the comment threads, you’ll learn even more from people sharing their own stories and insights. It’s fascinating and his page has added so much more context and nuance to my knowledge of dance music in the UK. This book is published via his own outlet, Super Weird Substance, and it pays homage to the late, great James Hamilton - a titan of dance music history.
Theres’s so much I could share from my learnings about this man. One thing that stands out is that he used to add the BPMs to the music he reviewed by counting the beats using a stopwatch. This was an innovation for the time, and came in extremely useful for all the would-be DJs reading his reviews, setting a new standard. He really flew the flag for the music culture - disco, funk etc - that existed before rave formalised. James was an eccentric character, with an entertaining grasp of language and deep knowledge and love for music, which he applied to his iconic reviews. He was a vital part of the British scene, when virtually no one else was investing their energy into reviewing to the extent to which he was. He was also a great DJ and here’s a great show he did for Capital Radio with another legend, Les Adams.
On Tour: A Wild Ride in the Dance Music Press
Ralph Moore
Velocity Press
Ralph is an ex-colleague of mine and I’ve spent a fair amount of time with him over the years, so I know he has had some very entertaining adventures. Being on the frontline of the dance music press in the nineties is something I can only dream of. So having access to the stories, and historical context, shared by writers like Ralph - especially giving his perspective from the media side of things - is a very exciting prospect. I went to the launch event for the book a couple of weeks ago and something that resonated with me during his Q&A (with former Mixmag editor Duncan Dick) was his assertion that he’s essentially a fanboy who’s been able to meet many of his heroes and live out his dream through his work. As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, this is exactly how it is for me.
We Become One: The Power Of The Shared Musical Experience
I went to the screening of this film a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. We’ve been hearing anecdotal references to the unifying power of music for God knows how long. Pretty much any documentary you can name that focuses on rave culture will feature talking heads speaking about the oneness and communal energy that we can experience on the dance floor. We’ve all felt it, we’ve all made friends for a night (and often a lifetime) in the rave. It’s a core element of the rave experience. But this is the first film I’ve seen where the creators have spoken to scientists, psychologists and neurologists to explore and explain “the science” behind this familiar trope.
I found it fascinating and affirming, because I’ve been doing very similar work at Happy Tuesdays. I’ll write about this in more detail in another newsletter, but there is a lot to be said for incorporating raving into one’s life as a wellbeing practice. I’m a firm believer in the idea that there really needs to be a shift in the narrative around club culture to assert its positive aspects from a health perspective, and make it more appealing to people who aren’t as interested in the hedonism that often pervades. Not to say it’s wrong, but there is a stigma attached to club culture which, I believe, can taint the way in which the general public views it. As the film subtly demonstrates, we can experience the high, connection and transcendence of the club environment without booze or drugs - and that is a powerful message.
Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
Here’s a clip of David Rodigan in his element, as he always is when he’s dropping one of his many many dub plates and slaying another sound. I LOVE this clip and there are so many others of Rodigan dancing like crazy as the music takes him. Unfortunately, someone decided to comment and say: “Dub plate for days but looks like a right tool - Not hating just saying”. I’m not usually one to entertain neggy people in comment threads, but I had to say something.
I responded with, “When the music hits, sometimes we all look a little crazy and foolish. That’s the power of it, when you really let it take over you. I respect a man who can let himself go like that in front of hundreds, if not thousands, of people.”
Seriously though, I’m pretty sure this is one of many reasons why dance floors can be lacking in energy and wild abandon nowadays. People are more self-conscious and their inhibition can lead to a flat feeling on the dance floor.
If the person who commented had the self-awareness, respect and restraint to be a bit more thoughtful perhaps they could have said something more positive, or not said anything at all. Instead they projected their own insecurities onto someone who has been an unwavering ambassador for Jamaican music for decades.
Rodigan embraces the music and culture of the island wholeheartedly, that’s why he’s so respected all around the world. For me, love and passion for the music transcend any of these pointless identity categories we’ve all allowed ourselves to be put into. I love seeing him, still dancing his heart out on stage, still supporting the artists and music he’s dedicated his entire life to… What an inspiration. I hope he keeps dancing until he really can’t dance anymore. And so should the rest of us, no matter how much of a “tool” some bozo might think we look.
Mixes I’ve Been Rinsin’
I interviewed DJ Trace for a piece I wrote for Mixmag on the history and impact of the Reese bassline. That was a real fanboy moment for me, as his Kool FM was one of my favourites when I was a teenager. Look out for more on that… This mix dips back in the 1990 - 1991 period, a hugely creative and influential time. Every tune is fire. I love the photo he used as well - of himself and some friends - taken on a beach in Ibiza in 1990.
I’m in the midst of a project centred around the 2010s at the moment, so I’ve been listening to a lot of mixes from around that time and doing some serious digging on YouTube for footage as well. This set is a classic, along with their Essential Mix from the same year. Represents everything I loved about that period.
I’d be very very surprised if I haven’t shared this set before. Very special to me. It’s the combination of Mathew’s beautifully haunting and mesmerising productions, and the vision I have of being at Labyrinth Festival in Japan and that special setting. I’ve listened to this set so so many times and it still moves me deeply.
Got this one back in rotation after seeing Jane was on Scuba’s Not A Diving podcast. She really is such a master. I love hearing sets where I have no idea about any of the music being played. Every tune has me curious, and Shazam ain’t Shazam-ing any of these tracks. Excellent.
The Yoyaku instore mixes are a constant source of greatness. Maxime DB’s set came on after the Gideon Jackson one below and I had no idea who the mix was by until one particular tune (around 26mins) caught me and I jumped up from my desk to see who it was. Like the Jane Fitz one, no idea what any of the tunes are (apart from that ridiculously expensive Mike Walsh tune and THIS slice of absolute naughtiness) and pure vibes from start to end.
I’m friends with Gideon Jackson on Facebook and he posted the other day asking for an ID on one of the tunes in this mix. We’ve all been there eh - didn’t make a tracklist at the time, fast forward several years and we’ve forgotten the who, what and where of certain tracks. Luckily, someone ID’d it - it was this brilliant cut by Calibre. I was intrigued by what else was on the mix, which is 21 years old, and it did not disappoint.
One More Tune!
Right, that’s the lot for this edition. Leaving you with this… I played four hours of Larry Heard music at Spiritland last week and this was my penultimate tune. A few people were already up dancing (Spiritland is typically a sit-down affair), and playing this got them all buzzing with good energy. Until next time <3