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 - 07/07/2013 - Robin Thicke, NIN, Pet Shop Boys, Arctic Monkeys, Beck

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 07/07/2013 - Robin Thicke, NIN, Pet Shop Boys, Arctic Monkeys, Beck

Arctic Monkeys Beck Nine Inch Nails Pet Shop Boys Pharrell Robin Thicke T.I. Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that were like a 5 set thriller on centre court for us this week......

Old Pa's Corner:-
Pet Shop Boys - 'The Last to Die' (2013)

Here is a track from the  Pet Shop Boys new album  Electric (2013) I just had to choose this cover of a classic Springsteen song from his album Magic (2007). I have always been a fan of TPB ever since West End Girls.

Behaviour (1990) was one of my albums of that year.  I do believe their best has come and gone, but I still have a soft spot for them. It is probably a bit unfair also playing the Bruce version, as it is far superior, but what the heck, some out there may not have heard it. Its win win!!

London Scouser:-

Arctic Monkeys - 'Do I Wanna Know' (2013)

What can I say, Alex Turner and the barrel are back with another great song. Instantly recognisable it has the usual clever lyrics that I have enjoyed since they first broke onto the scene a few years back. I've seen it described as a great James Bond style song and I see what they mean. The video is simple but effective and probably cost a bundle to make. They are touring the UK later this year and having seen them at the Olympic Opening Ceremony last year its a gig I know I would love.

Sfw:-

Beck - 'I Won't Be Long' (2013)


If you are lucky to attend this weekend's gig London gig at Union Chapel, you may have a better idea than I of what Beck's recently promised acoustic album is like.  Instead he's teasing us like a tasselled temptress with this vinyl only, single release to follow up 'Defriended' (a previous Shell Hunter TOTW). I'm intrigued as I eagerly await anything by the musical genius, which is Beck Hanson.

Flycasual:-

NIN - 'Come Back Haunted' (2013)

Industrial heavyweights, Nine Inch Nails are back but it sounds like whatever excursion they've come back from, they've had a bad time of it. It's just as well really and I mean that in the nicest possible way of course, as 'Come Back Haunted' is as good as any of the dark, nightmarish soundscapes that Trent Reznor has created and to which I enjoy wallowing too. To top it all off, Mr Eraserhead himself, David Lynch, directs the suitably unsettling video but I chose the audio clip above as it's far more entertaining, if you wish to make your eyes bleed click here to see it. This is an aural advance party, as the NIN's 9th album, Hesitation Marks, drops September 3rd.

Shell Hunter:-
Robin Thicke - 'Blurred Lines ft. T.I, Pharell' (2013)

Its shaping up to be a great summer for dance songs! This cheeky little number has a winning formula once again throwing Pharell into the mix. I love the little Michael Jackson style "woo" running all the way through. Robin Thicke has been on the scene for some time, getting recognition for producing and writing for well known R'N'B artists including Cristina Aguilera. This new album also called Blurred Lines will be his 6th solo album and he has been the first white male artist to top the R'N'B Billboard charts since George Michael. Not bad at all!

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 04:58 4 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 07/07/2013 - Robin Thicke, NIN, Pet Shop Boys, Arctic Monkeys, Beck

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 07/07/2013 - Robin Thicke, NIN, Pet Shop Boys, Arctic Monkeys, Beck

Arctic Monkeys Beck Nine Inch Nails Pet Shop Boys Pharrell Robin Thicke T.I. Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that were like a 5 set thriller on centre court for us this week......

Old Pa's Corner:-
Pet Shop Boys - 'The Last to Die' (2013)

Here is a track from the  Pet Shop Boys new album  Electric (2013) I just had to choose this cover of a classic Springsteen song from his album Magic (2007). I have always been a fan of TPB ever since West End Girls.

Behaviour (1990) was one of my albums of that year.  I do believe their best has come and gone, but I still have a soft spot for them. It is probably a bit unfair also playing the Bruce version, as it is far superior, but what the heck, some out there may not have heard it. Its win win!!

London Scouser:-

Arctic Monkeys - 'Do I Wanna Know' (2013)

What can I say, Alex Turner and the barrel are back with another great song. Instantly recognisable it has the usual clever lyrics that I have enjoyed since they first broke onto the scene a few years back. I've seen it described as a great James Bond style song and I see what they mean. The video is simple but effective and probably cost a bundle to make. They are touring the UK later this year and having seen them at the Olympic Opening Ceremony last year its a gig I know I would love.

Sfw:-

Beck - 'I Won't Be Long' (2013)


If you are lucky to attend this weekend's gig London gig at Union Chapel, you may have a better idea than I of what Beck's recently promised acoustic album is like.  Instead he's teasing us like a tasselled temptress with this vinyl only, single release to follow up 'Defriended' (a previous Shell Hunter TOTW). I'm intrigued as I eagerly await anything by the musical genius, which is Beck Hanson.

Flycasual:-

NIN - 'Come Back Haunted' (2013)

Industrial heavyweights, Nine Inch Nails are back but it sounds like whatever excursion they've come back from, they've had a bad time of it. It's just as well really and I mean that in the nicest possible way of course, as 'Come Back Haunted' is as good as any of the dark, nightmarish soundscapes that Trent Reznor has created and to which I enjoy wallowing too. To top it all off, Mr Eraserhead himself, David Lynch, directs the suitably unsettling video but I chose the audio clip above as it's far more entertaining, if you wish to make your eyes bleed click here to see it. This is an aural advance party, as the NIN's 9th album, Hesitation Marks, drops September 3rd.

Shell Hunter:-
Robin Thicke - 'Blurred Lines ft. T.I, Pharell' (2013)

Its shaping up to be a great summer for dance songs! This cheeky little number has a winning formula once again throwing Pharell into the mix. I love the little Michael Jackson style "woo" running all the way through. Robin Thicke has been on the scene for some time, getting recognition for producing and writing for well known R'N'B artists including Cristina Aguilera. This new album also called Blurred Lines will be his 6th solo album and he has been the first white male artist to top the R'N'B Billboard charts since George Michael. Not bad at all!

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 04:58 4 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 05/05/13- Terry Allen, Daft Punk, Major Lazer,Bibio, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 05/05/13- Terry Allen, Daft Punk, Major Lazer,Bibio, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Bibio Daft Punk Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Major Lazer Pharrell Terry Allen

Five tracks that made us go all Wookie!

Flycasual:-
Major Lazer - 'Jessica' feat Ezra Koenig

"Some girls call all the shots, my nessica, my essica"

I've been listening to a lot of Reggae recently and it's nothing to do with the sunny weather of late. I find it a good way to reboot, a ctrl-alt-delete for the soul if you like, especially it being Spring and all that. Anyway this is great stuff, perhaps not Reggae per se but Major Lazer's (aka DJ to the stars, Diplo) brand of electro-dancehall is pretty infectious. I just love Ezra Koenig's (who incidentally is a big fan of Reggae and Dub) voice anyway and he provides it here for 'Jessica' which, apart from 'Get Free', are probably the best songs on the Free the Universe album. Vampire Weekend also release an album this month and being big fans we'll no doubt feature a track on our TOTW soon. I once knew a Jessica.

Check out Major Lazer's interesting blog here...
or if Vampires are your thing see the website here...

Old Pa's Corner:-
Terry Allen - Emergency Human Blood Courier (2013)

Here is a strange one for all you Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave Lovers, it is by 69 year old,  70 next week Terry Allen and is from his first album in 14 years called  'Botton of the World' (2013) (talk about writers block). I like this, it is a dark tale of murder and death. The album version is above and I have also found this live take which is pretty good. Well, that is if you can reject the stupid laughter from some of the audience who seem to think it is a funny song and they are meant to laugh.  'Hey guys! this is serious stuff, blood transfusions, murder and all that'. Just right for a Sunday morning. Pass that toast Maud!   

 

London Scouser

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Feat Wanz) - Thrift Shop (2013)

Ok, so he's white, a little bit strawberry blonde, and a mass-eeev lookie-likie for Boris Becker. Oh and he can pull off a catchy and pretty damned good rap/hip-hop song.

I forgot to mention that the guy loves a bargain, he can do no wrong in my eyes.

I heard this song courtesy of Scroobius Pip via his first show on XFM. I urge y'all to check the show out btw like I did on the Mixcloud app on my phone. 

Game, Set & Match

Shell Hunter:-

Daft Punk - 'Get Lucky' (2013)

When I heard Daft Punk's single had hit number one in the charts, I was surprised I hadn't heard it yet and was a little worried. I don't pay much attention to "charty" music anymore and I usually turn my nose up to whats popular. Despite all that, I finally listened to it the other day and its the best dance track I've heard in a very long while! You can really hear the 70s disco influence of Nile Rodgers from Chic! That coupled with the combination of Pharrell's saucy conquest lyrics and Daft Punk's electro computer talk makes the perfect song to sip margeritas after mowing the lawn! Its a bold statement but I'm pretty sure its going to be in my top 10 for 2013 and can see it being on my summer holiday playlist. All we need now is a heatwave...oh hello sun!

Daft Punk's fourth album called Random Access Memories is due out May 17th and if this is anything to go by, I will be drinking a lot of margeritas!

SFW:- 
Bibio - À tout à l'heure (2013)


Stephen Wilkinson, aka Bibio, is a English music producer from Wolvehampton and this track features on his latest and 7th album, Silver Wilkinson. Wilkinson adopted the alias Bibio from the name of a small black and red fly his father used on childhood fishing trips in Wales.

I may sound like a musical Wine Taster, but there are elements of Avalanches, a hint of Lemon Jelly and Jose Gonzalez.

He is a recent music discovery for me but À tout à l'heure makes me want to put on some shorts, pull out the BBQ and drink Pimms! Thanks to this, summer is on the way!

Download À tout à l'heure from Warp Records here

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 02:29 4 Komentar

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - N.E.R.D - 'She Wants To Move'

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - N.E.R.D - 'She Wants To Move'

N.E.R.D Pharrell Saturday Night Jukebox

N*E*R*D - 'She Wants To Move' (2004)

I love those jungle drums, and that base, and that Spanish guitar, and the claps, and the...everything! It's a great track and Pharrell is a babe (here's another Pharrell post)! I never even realised the sexy senorita was Alesha Dixon, the girl can bust some moves. I was just going through some fave dance tracks and this immediately reminded me of my friendly neighbourhood 'Litten Tree' Pub in Slough after moving in with my boyfriend when I was 19.

I don't want 2 drinks, I want 7!

Every Friday, not only was this pub open late, but offered 2-4-1 drinks all night long! Could it be the perfect evening after a cheeky Nando's dinner which was across the road? It usually started that way, but as you can imagine it was an absolute chav fest and went down hill after about 10pm! Trying to get served at the bar was like trying to catch a bargain with the Hustler at the local market. Flash your dosh and you will eventually get served over a sea of hands!

Hearing this song, brings me back to a moment of clarity from cloud of dry white wine. Me and my boyfriend, not chavvy in the least but reaping the benefits of cheap booze on a Friday night were people watching to highest degree. The screaming arguments, lots of fights breaking out, the bouncers with their bomber jackets and earpieces using unnecessary muscle and the girls attempting to chat up the fat DJ/Bouncer/Barman. Believe it or not, very fond memories! No wonder the pub went out of business though.

Pharrell modelling the latest fashion from Primark

Check out N*E*R*D's website here!

If you want to move, click for more SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX!

sfw Pada 11:19 2 Komentar

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! Pharrell - Frontin

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! Pharrell - Frontin

Pharrell Saturday Night Jukebox

Pharrell - Frontin (2004)

For a time, Pharrell was the king of cool, Women loved him, men wanted to be him and everything he touched turned gold...it's probably still the case, but this song, for me, is his best to date.  When Justin Timberlake released "Justified" it was Pharrell that gave the "Boba Fett-appreciation-nod" to the world that it was cool to like a singer that used be in N-Sync! He gave the world the N*E*R*D - "In Search of" album which is a must have for music fans, 'tried' to sex up Britney with "I'm a Slave 4 U", and has dabbled in everything from a clothing line, cream liquers & recently can be seen in a make up ad with Jessica Biel.  

So enjoy this by pouring yourself a fresh mojito and watch him being a cool, smug individual....

"...fancy a drink?"

...Saturday Night Jukebox, because you know you want to shake it (Get some more here!)

sfw Pada 10:00 4 Komentar