FLYCASUAL'S Best of 2012

FLYCASUAL'S Best of 2012

Best of 2012 DIIV Fatoumata Diawara Flea M.anifest Mark Lanegan Band Plan B Rocket Juice and the Moon The Pond

It's been quite a year, from a crappy start with family health scares to the collective goodwill and euphoria surrounding the amazing Olympics/Paralympics. That was quite something, which I'm quite sure I will never experience again. It's also been musically amazing so it has been devastatingly hard to whittle it down to just 5 tracks for this post. It's bit like having to selfishly let go of some of your good friends.....

damn, I forgot to go for a wee!

Excluding 'Gangnam Style', these are my top 5 tracks in no particular order.

The Pond - 'Circle Round a Tree'

Folky Hip Hop from Folk Songstress, Kathryn Williams' side project, which hit the tickle spot for me this summer. Like chasing bees through a field of long grass on a blissful sunny day, on the way to a country pub for the promise of a cider fuelled adventure.

Rocket Juice & The Moon - 'Lolo' Feat Fatoumata Diawara and M.anifest

Marvellous Afro-Funk from another Damon Albarn fronted super group. With Mali singer Fatoumata Diawara, Ghana/US's rapper M.anifest, bassist Flea and legendary drummer Tony Allen, the band is tighter than a mermaid's brazier. More importantly however, it reminds me of a time spent with friends in Florida for a wedding earlier in the year. Perfect fo gettin' yo groove on during a cider fuelled adventure.

Diiv - 'Air Conditioning' 

This is a wonderful Krautrock inspired track from Brooklyn four piece DIIV. It knocked me out on the way home from work, nice melodious guitar drones on and you don't want it to stop...sorry officah for driving erratically, blame it on rock n roll man! Suitable for when things get a little weird during a cider fuelled adventure.



Mark Lanegan Band - 'The Gravedigger's Song'

Pounding drums, buzzsaw bass, Mark Lanegan's gruff voice, it's dark, it's menacing, it sounds a bit like Nine Inch Nails. Like reluctantly stumbling home through a graveyard on the aftermath of a cider fuelled adventure.

Plan B - 'Ill Manors' (live on Jools Holland)

Fantastic musical chaos! A wall of noise from the intimidating strings to the claustrophobic beats making you feel slightly uncomfortable. But there's nothing chaotic about the talented Ben Drew's truthful and socially conscious lyrics. The best hard hitting, no nonsense, shit kicking, political Rap since Public Enemy's heyday!

No cider fuelled adventures recommended unless it's extra strength White Lightening.

Why not have a listen to my top 20 tracks of the year?? It's nice!

sfw Pada 18:00 5 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 01/04/2012 - Macy Gray, Rocket Juice and the Moon, Lee Ranaldo

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 01/04/2012 - Macy Gray, Rocket Juice and the Moon, Lee Ranaldo

Fatoumata Diawara Lee Ranaldo M.anifest Macy Gray Rocket Juice and the Moon Tracks of the Week

HERE'S THREE TRACKS THAT GOT OUR MOTORS RUNNING THIS WEEK!

Shell Hunter:-
Macy Gray - 'Sail' (2012)

This was another tough week! We were so short staffed at work and it was the hottest 4 days of the year yet. The trouble is, I was stuck in an office on the late shift juggling about 3 things at once looking longingly outside at the birds singing and the sun shining. During a particularly hellish moment, I could just about hear the radio, which some wiseguy had tuned in to Polish FM and could make out the familiar words to one of my favourite songs of last year, 'Sail' by Awolnation (here's the post). But hang on, who was that singing? I shouted for my colleague to turn it up and cut another colleague off on the walkie talkie I was using. Priorities! It was none other than Macy Gray! So weird that I did a post a few weeks back featuring Macy Gray (see it here) and thought to myself  "where is she now?" Hearing her laboured but full of emotion voice singing Sail at that point saved me. From then on I was coasting! Cheers Polski radio!

Macy has literally just released a new album called 'Covered' and it does exactly what is says on the tin. As well as this corker originally by Awolnation, she puts her stamp on the likes of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Metallica and Radiohead. There's got to be something for everyone there!

Flycasual:-
Rocket Juice and the Moon - 'Lolo ft. Fatoumata Diawara and M.anifest ' (2012)

Rocket Juice and the Moon, a supergroup of sorts, Damon Albarn, the Chilli's silly bassist Flea and Afrobeat drummer extraordinaire Tony Allen, has been in the making since 2009 but for some reason they've only just released their self-title album last week. As well as the talented trio already teasing the pallet, the mix is enhanced by the appearance of various guest stars. Lolo is a highlight, it's a Funk/Hip Hop fusion with the sounds of Malian songstress, Fatoumata Diawara and American/Ghanaian rapper M.anifest,  contrasting perfectly over some immaculate drum and bass work as you'd expect. Juicy.

Check out there official website here.

Old Pa's Corner :-
Lee Ranaldo - 'Xtina as I know Her' (2012)

I love this track from Lee Ranaldo's (Sonic Youth) new solo album 'Between the Times and the Tides'. It starts of with a great dark haunting sound and typical excellent guitar work which you would expect.  It at times reminds me of the rambling Television guitar solos and there is nothing wrong with that. This album will be on my 'Ipodish' thing this weekend and I can't wait to take the dogs out for a walk.

More Tracks of the Week to jump start your day here!

sfw Pada 03:26 3 Komentar