SFW'S Best Of 2013

SFW'S Best Of 2013

Best of 2013 Daft Punk Dustin Tebbutt George Ezra Jeff Tweedy Mavis Staples Pharrell Seryn

Do you remember the long hot summer? Neither do I.  but let me take you on a brisk walk down memory lane, stopping off for some mince pies, mulled wine and and my top 5 Tracks of the Year.

Tracks of the Year!

Daft Punk - 'Lose Yourself To Dance' (2013)


I can honestly say that 2014 was the year that Daft Punk (with Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams help) brought disco back.  It's safe to say that until their input, disco would only be played in 'over 40s' theme nights and weddings. An instant classic.

Just in case you missed it, this unofficial video was a highlight - and it's not too late to be using the moves at your Christmas party.


Mavis Staples - 'Jesus Wept' (2013)


Stax legend Mavis Staples became reborn with the input of Wilco's Jeff Tweedy in the producers role. Their collaboration on the album "One True Vine" brought Gospel into the 21st Century. Every song carries a gravitas and emotion and could easily bring you, and jesus, to tears. Spellbinding.

Seryn - 'Ivory Black' (2013)


Texan 6-piece Seryn knocked me out with the gorgeous, Ivory Black.  Rich harmonies, subtle layers and a fine blend of tenderness and emotion. Listen to the live or studio versions of this track and the result will be the same - it will flatten you like a runaway rhino.

George Ezra - 'Did You Hear The Rain' (2013)


Bristolian, George Ezra was one of my musical discoveries of the year. I first heard when I saw him support Tom Odell in March and I immediately thought he was some sort of "Woody Guthrie-meets-Ray Lamontagne". Ignore this baby faced assassin (with a voice of a 50 year old) at your peril. If he was around in the 60s, he'd probably be as well revered as the other Greenwich Village gang. One to watch!

Dustin Tebbutt - 'The Breach' (2013)


Dustin Tebbutt's The Breach came from nowhere.  The Breach was like a musical mammoth that appeared on the tundra after a snowstorm, I loved it then and I love it now. My Track of the Year.

Want a handy playlist? Subscribe to my top twenty tracks of the year. All are winners.  

sfw Pada 00:09 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 03/11/13 - George Ezra, Ka, Bill Callahan, The National, Afrikan Boy

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 03/11/13 - George Ezra, Ka, Bill Callahan, The National, Afrikan Boy

Afrikan Boy Bill Callahan George Ezra Ka The National Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that popped our rockets.....

Sfw:-
George Ezra - Did You Hear The Rain (2013)

I've championed George ever since I saw him support Tom Odell in The Thekla and fortunately for the masses, he's finally getting more airplay. 'Did You Hear The Rain' features more accompaniment than his previous snippets and whereas sometimes a singer/songwriter loses their magic with a band, with George, it only enhances his sound. You must checkout his other tracks, either here or through his Soundcloud site. It is an early call, but he's definitely in my top 10 artists of the year - and he still hasn't released his album!



Flycasual:-

Ka - 'Jungle' (2013)

I've been listening to Ka's album, 'The Night's Gambit', a fair bit recently and it's one of the best Hip Hop albums I've heard for awhile. It's the first time I've come across the 40 something Brooklyn MC/producer despite this being his 3rd solo sortie and a stark contrast to the usual neon lights, 'bling-afied' , posturing you see in most Hip Hop acts these days. Certainly on one of it's standout tracks, the soulful 'Jungle', where Ka's desolate social commentary is delivered in a hushed, low key tone (like the majority of the album) reminiscent of 'What's Going On' era Marvin Gaye. Dope.

Ka's website here...

London Scouser:-

The National - 'Sea Of Love' (2013)

There I was politely going about my business of flicking through channels late one evening hoping to find something good to watch as Shellhunter was trying to sleep when I stumbled across Later With Jools Holland. The first guests were The National who I've likes from afar for a number of years. Being a big fan of covers, I looked forward to hearing this song expecting it to be a new version of the classic song which I first heard by Kim's dad Marty Wilde. Despite my disappointment of not finding a new cover to rave about, I still enjoyed the song and straight away went onto Spotify and found their latest album 'Trouble Will Find Me' This track features Matt Berninger's trade mark deep and some may say sexy vocals. Another top tune in my book with a simple video of them playing in the corner of a room and some kid dancing about !!!

Old Pa's Corner:-
Bill Callahan - The Sing (2013)

I do like Bill Callahan, a real Troubadour if ever there was one and one of the the most original around too. This is a track from his latest album Dream River (2013). This album is model of consistency all the way through and is most certainly worth a visit.

'The only words I have said to-day are Beer and Thank You'

Shell Hunter:-
Afrikan Boy - 'Hit Em Up' (2013)

Listening to BBC6 at work the other day, there was a good mix of Hip Hop during the early hours of the morning. This track was thrown in amongst them and myself and 2 other self proclaimed music gurus debated about who it might be. I thought it definitely had to be an older track with the cool b-boy break dance style trumpet sample, similar in feel to Public Enemy's Harder Than You Think. Someone mentioned it sounded like Ludacris or Dizzie Rascal. We were a bit surprised to hear it was a new song by Afrikan Boy (real name Olushola Ajose) as he has captured that old school vibe so well. Originally from colourful and bold Nigeria, he lives in Woolwich and busies himself busting some rhymes mixing urban London sound with afro beats whilst studying Physcology at Brunel University! Sassy ragga girl M.I.A champions him having toured together in the past and he even featured on one of her recent tracks Hussel. I think this song will go far, end of.

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 06:41 3 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 15/09/13 - Tirzah, Cut Copy, Richard Buckner, George Ezra

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 15/09/13 - Tirzah, Cut Copy, Richard Buckner, George Ezra

Cut Copy George Ezra Richard Buckner Tirzah Tracks of the Week

Four tracks that were like musical viagra......

 

Sfw:-
George Ezra - Budapest (2013)



I saw George live at the Thekla back in March and was blown away by this baby faced assassin. His music is a nod in the direction of Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie but his raw, emotive voice gets the ladies swooning. He's only released a couple of tracks but is touring in the UK in September & October and I highly recommend you catching him near you in the next few weeks - trust me, I'm a Doctor!


Flycasual:-
Tirzah - 'Inside Out' (2013)

This was a bit like an intravenous hit, well sort of, it instantly got my attention when I first heard it on a Ninja Tunes staff picks playlist (try saying that after a few) on Spotify. A brilliant track that starts off with a sinister like industrial beat which is at once softened by Tirzah's soothing voice, the warped synths just add to the fun. Tirzah is the protege and school pal of Micachu (Michacu and the Shapes) who produced the impressive I'm Not Dancing EP from which 'Inside Out' is taken. We'll be hearing more from her fo sho'...


Old Pa's Corner:-
Richard Buckner - When You Tell Me How It Is (2013)

 

I have not listened to too much music this week (you know, things to do and all that)  so when it came to do TOTW, I felt it would be a bit of a struggle, then I remember liking a track by Richard Buckner which I had heard earlier in the week.  I checked it out again and was hooked. It is a hard one to pin down. There are elements of folk, elements of Mexicana, elements of rock. Oh! well Americana fits the bill then, Good enough for me.

I for one will be checking out his new album  'Surrounded' (2013). This is good stuff.

Shell Hunter:-
Cut Copy - 'Let Me Show You Love' (2013)

I read that the Aussie 4 piece will be returning with their forth album in November later this year and thought, yikes, I must have missed a single somewhere! Sure enough this was released back in June and it is really growing on me in a big way even though the video is a bit sickly. From its Public Enemy siren at the very start, to its Friendly Fires meets 808 State electro funk. Listen out for the "Go, Go, Go" in the background which kicks in around the 4.30 mark, it reminds me of an American talk show like Ricky Lake or Jerry Springer! Be sure to catch the guys on their tour this year, visiting London Bethnal Green's Oval Space on November 26th. See you at the Bar!

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 08:12 2 Komentar

TUESDAY BLUES! George Ezra - It's Just My Skin

TUESDAY BLUES! George Ezra - It's Just My Skin

George Ezra Tuesday Blues

Do you like Singer/Songwriters, or do you have a unhealthy affection to the sadness, if so you may have a case of the Tuesday Blues!

George Ezra - It's Just My Skin

Last Friday my wife & I spent the evening at the Thekla in Bristol (which is an old cargo ship and a great venue for live music.)  We were there to see/hear the musical talents of BBC sound of 2013 winner, Tom Odell (who by the way was pretty damn good).  My wife had booked it and I was delighted to find out that local lad, George Ezra was one of the support acts.  He's someone I've been keeping tabs on and I was interested to see if I should belive the hype.  We were not disapointed. What a voice! Soulful and emotive, it reminds me of Ray LaMontagne. It was the perfect start to the night and the musical therapy that I needed. 

All aboard Captain

Subscribe to the Spotify playlist and read more Tuesday Blues here!

sfw Pada 01:44 2 Komentar