A Certain Ratio - Do The Du (Peel Session) (1979)

Early ACR stiff-funk.

Obviously, the proximity of Joy Division to A Certain Ratio in the Factory family suggests connections and comparisons. However, this really is like euphoric, loose-limbed take on Joy Division's post-punk.

'Do The Du' is lithe and sexy like a peephole overcoat, betraying the love of Northern Soul that would see them cover 'Shack Up'. However, it also has an angularity that places them in the post-punk egg of the musical Venn Diagram and leads us to the flat voweled funk of New Fast Automatic Daffodils.

This Peel Session version has a roughed-up edge and added looseness compared to the strictures of the album version. Twitch along.

Download A Certain Ratio - Do The Du (Peel Session) (1979)

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - The Night (Pilooski Re-Edit) (Tamla Motown, 1973)

Awesome taut funk and harmony. Re-edited.

Great record on a Northern Soul tip. Rumbling, alomst threatening, bass. Insistent, slapback drums. Shaka-shaka-tambourine. Expansive harmonies.

Re-edit adds some extra layers of rhythm and the odd sound effect. Doesn't detract from the track.

Dancefloor magic.

Download Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - 'The Night (Pilooski Re-Edit)' (Motown, Northern Soul, mp3) (Divshare)

Tortoise 'Glass Museum (Live)' (1996)

Peerless poise and amazing elegance, Post-Rock style.

This is just a track of such elegance, it's silly. Perfectly formed, beautifully resolved, an edge of improvisation and freedom within a framework of perfect balance.

This recording is from Toronto in 1996.

Download Tortoise 'Glass Museum (Live 1996)' (Post Rock mp3) (Divshare)

Photography by Valerio Berdini

Grace Jones - She's Lost Control (Long Version) (Joy Division Cover) (Island, 1980)

Sultry Joy Division gone dub action.
 
The pallid, skeletal angst of Joy Division's 'She's Lost Control' is given a blast of Vitamin D by Sly & Robbie on an unlikely Carribbean holiday and stretched out even further across this aptly named "Long Version".

Grace Jones' detached, aloof vocals are a perfect match for the detachment of Ian Curtis' lyric and the tune bumps along on a delicious dubby skank.

Download Grace Jones - She's Lost Control (Long Version) (Joy Division Cover, Dub, mp3) (Divshare)

Blur - For Tomorrow (Visit To Primrose Hill Extended) (Food, 1993)

Kinks-y slice of string-laden London loving.

Was this the start of Britpop? I know that 'The Drowners' came out first but I prefer not to sully Suede's name with the label Britpop, they were better than that.

Despite the scent of sulphur and cynicism that, for me, Damon Albarn carries with him, 'For Tomorrow' is a delight (as is the 'Modern Life Is Rubbish' album). This extended version let's the song stretch out, a breathless bike ride, looking out over London.

Download Blur - For Tomorrow (Visit To Primrose Hill Extended) (indie, Britpop, blur mp3)

Scott Walker - It's Raining Today (Phillips, 1969)

Peerless, lugubrious elegance. And what a cover photo too.

Ah, Scott1, Scott 2, Scott3 and Scott4. Is there a better run of albums by an artist? Answers on a postcard...

Pick almost any song - the Scott Walker originals or the Jacques Brel covers - all are beautifully constructed, orchestrated and sung. The themes are intriguing, challenging, surprising.

'It's Raining Today' shimmers into being on cloud of gossamer strings, a warm, rich guitar strums out a gentle progression. And then, then.. the voice. A steady, sonorous voice that rises up from a sixties bed-sitting room and reminisces on love and loss.

Spectacular.

Download Scott Walker - It's Raining Today (Scott Walker mp3) (Box.net)

One Dove - Breakdown (Cellophane Boat Mix) (Junior Boys Own, 1993)

A Dub House symphony. Epic. Beautiful.

'Morning Dove White' - also touched by the hand of Andrew Weatherall - is up there with 'Screamadelica' for me in distilling the emotions and dynamics of Dub and House into a sumptuous cocoon of sound. You could call it Post Club Soul. Maybe it doesn't need a label.

'Breakdown' is a teasing, irresistable web of shuffling beats, reverb-happy piano, meandering bass and dubbed-out effects, bouncing subtly around the soundfield. It settles into a laidback groove and Dot Allison unleashes an angelic soliloquy to lost love.

A perfect companion piece to the Dub Symphony version of 'Higher Than The Sun' and the Lemonentry Mix of Saint Etienne's 'Pale Movie'. A seriously under-rated album.

Download One Dove - Breakdown (Cellophane Boat Mix) (Junior Boys Own, One Dove mp3) (Box.net)

Cath Carroll - Moves Like You (Factory, 1991)

Sinuous, low-riding Ibiza-dappled groove.

A classic in the mould of One Dove's awesome 'Morning Dove White' album or the Saint Etienne of 'Kiss And Make Up'. Echoes in the sugary pop refractions of Korallreven.

Languid. Delicious.

Download Cath Carroll - Moves Like You (Factory mp3)

Sub Sub ft Melanie Williams - Ain't No Love, Ain't No Use (Robs Records, 1993)

The band Doves could've been...

Only kidding I think Doves are good too and they made good use of their love of the dancefloor in their Northern-tinged indie yearning.

However, Sub Sub's 'Ain't No Love, Ain't No Use' is a delightful slice of sleek, euphoria. Perfect for this or any other Friday.

Download Sub Sub ft Melanie Williams - Ain't No Love, Ain't No Use (Robs Records, 1993)

Sol Seppy - Human (Gronland, 2006)

Skeletal, whispered, building, beauty.

About Sol Seppy I know nothing. Is it a band? Is it a she? What does Sol Seppy mean? Is it a type of industrial drain cleaner? Is it a name? Where are they/is she now?

What I do know is that 'Human' was a track on both a mini-album (Pssscheeow) and a full album (The Bells Of 1 2) in 2006. It's a spartan, fragile, piano-led piece of frosty beauty that echoes Susanna and the Magic Orchestra's sang froid balladry.

There's just a hint of yearning bubbling under the calm surface as it builds from piano and voice to a gentle crescendo of  atmospherics and refracted piano and vocals.

Download Sol Seppy - Human (Gronland, 2006)

Orbital - Belfast (Original Version) (FFRR, 1991)

Simply beautiful.

To me, this record is an utterly beguiling glide through late night, sodium lit streets, the remnants of the previous evening's tunes ghosting through your brain.

You drift along in a semi-conscious state. Jimmy Saville appears in one of those foil blankets they give out at the end of marathons. He proceeds to give you a lecture about the history of dance music and the fact that he was the first DJ to use twin turntables. And about how the US Army used to use MDMA, back in the day. Not the "back in the day" you're thinking, son, the 1950s.

Then you wake up.

Download Orbital - Belfast (Original Version) (FFRR, 1991)

Simple Minds - Film Theme (Virgin, 1979)

Early Simple Minds mood piece.

It has, of course, become something of a truism to big-up Simple Minds' early work and say how good they were before went to America and started doing the stadium rock thing.

However, when they were knocking out moody, austere little homages to David Bowie's 'Low' like this instrumental, it's hard to disagree.

Download Simple Minds - Film Theme (Post Punk, mp3) (Box.net)

The Smiths - I Keep Mine Hidden (Rough Trade, 1987)

Smiths rarity from late on.

Morrissey in Swingalonga Moz mode, frollicking down Carnaby Street with his girlfriends Sandie Shaw, Cilla Black and Twiggy.

A breezy b-side from near the end of the band. Johnny, of course, was secretly dreaming of doing stuff like this.

Download The Smiths - I Keep Mine Hidden (Rough Trade, indie mp3, The Smiths mp3)

Stephen AJ Duffy - Unkiss That Kiss (Extended Version) (10, 1985)

Even his over-produced 80s follow-up singles were delightful.

Having dropped the "Tin Tin" at the request of French lawyers, Stephen Duffy rechristened himself Stephen AJ Duffy and set about following-up 'Kiss Me' and 'The Ups And Downs'.

'Unkiss That Kiss' has the clattering, stuttering drum machine of many a mid-80s chart-botherer but, being the man he is, the record still betrays an archness and poise that separates him from the crowd.

Through the scrum of pan pipe DX7 sounds, bangs, synth bass and backing singers, gleams a bittersweet love song. And, boy, does the man know how to write a middle eight!

Vinyl rip.

Download Stephen AJ Duffy - Unkiss That Kiss (Extended Version) (80s Pop mp3) (Box.net)

Ladytron - Seventeen (Telstar, 2002)

Seductive Electroclash earworm and savage commentary on the fashion industry in one glossy package.

Crumbs - is this really ten years old? It only feels like yesterday when you couldn't move for seductive Electroclash earworms like this...

Download Ladytron - Seventeen (Telstar, 2002)

Thomas Lang - Sons Of (Jacques Brel cover) (Epic, 1987)

Delicious, baroque Jacques Brel cover.

Thomas Lang's 'Scallywag Jaz' is a truly a piece of buried treasure. An album of midnight blue jazz ballads and torch songs, wracked with loss and longing. The acceptable face of fretless bass and just perfect.

'Sons Of' was a b-side to much-re-re-released single 'The Happy Man' which was as close to a breakthrough as Thomas Lang was to have unfortunately. The poise of the Jacques Brel original is perfectly rendered on voice, piano and strings.

As graceful and captivating as Anna Pavlova dancing to the sound of a music box. Made out of lace. On ice.

Download Thomas Lang - Sons Of (Thomas Lang mp3s, Jazz, Jacques Brel cover) (Box.net)

Prince and the Revolution - She's Always In My Hair (Paisley Park, 1985)

Effortless, almost throwaway, slice of brilliant funk-pop.

Prince was probably crapping out great songs in his sleep around this time, a purple (ahem) patch that ran from the end of '1999' era to, IMHO his best album, 'Around The World In A Day'.

'She's Always In My Hair' was the b-side of 'Paisley Park' - a tight, funky piece of psychedelia-tinged pop.

Opening with a phased drum pattern, slap bass, rolling organ stabs underpinning it the track, the same basic beat runs throughout like it's a demo (it probably is), an effortlessly funky guitar wig-out, waves of Prince's vocals across the track.

Just sublime. I defy not to listen to it again and again.

Download Prince and the Revolution - She's Always In My Hair (Psychedelic funk pop, Prince mp3) (Box.net)

It's Immaterial - Driving Away From Home (Wicked Weather For Walking) (Siren, 1986)

Somehow a Balearic classic. Works in-car, rainy bedroom or sun-kissed beach bar apparently.

Having never been down the Cafe Del Mar on a Sunday evening (or any other day of the week for that matter) I can't vouch for the fact that this record works as a Balearic classic. However, its presence on any number of compilation attests to the fact. It must be the Flamenco-ish bit about half way through.

To me, it's the sound of rainy Saturday afternoons spent staring at rain through glass. We had to make our own entertainment back then, y'know.

Download It's Immaterial - Driving Away From Home (Wicked Weather For Walking) (Balearic mp3)

Electronic - Lucky Bag (Miami Edit) (Factory, 1989)

Cute instrumental from Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr.

Delightful instrumental business hidden away on the back of a remix 12" of 'Getting Away With It'.

Very much in the US Crime Series Incidental Music genre - lots of big room piano and puttering percussion. It's what The Smiths could have become if Johnny Marr had been let loose... And Morrissey could stand dance music.

Download Electronic - Lucky Bag (Miami Edit) (mp3, Factory, 1989) (Box)

Mercury Rev - Carwash Hair (Mint Films, 1991)

Expansive, lethargic, heavy-lidded spaced out indie rock masterpiece.

At their inception, Mercury Rev were more about the opiated, space rock symphonies than the backwoods euphorica of later albums like 'All Is Dream'.

With waves of guitar, flute and casual, dazed repetition, 'Carwash Hair' is like scruffier version of Spiritualized, building to the same peaks of intensity but creating a soundfield cluttered by random noises and dirty socks.

Download Mercury Rev 'Carwash Hair' (Space Rock mp3) (Box.net)

Japan - Suburban Berlin (Hansa, 1978)

Pioneering New Romantic pop with edgy, Cold War vibe.

Whilst being a band with a very defined visual aesthetic, Japan were musically diverse, developing through a range of styles on their way to the icy, jazz and classical-influenced sound of 'Tin Drum' that became the starting point for David Sylvian's solo career.

Back in 1978, they were resolutely glam with a strong Roxy Music influence, mixing storming pop with edgy anthems like 'Suburban Berlin'.

The song creeps along on an electric piano line, skanking guitars and bass creating an atmosphere of skulking and subterfuge before bursting into an anthemic chorus.

Download Japan 'Suburban Berlin' (Glam, Roxy, New Romantic, mp3) (Box.net)

Steinski and the Mass Media - The Motorcade Sped On (NME, 1987)

Utter genius cut'n'paste business from 1987.

This came on a covermount 7" with the NME in 1987 and I was utterly obsessed with it for years, vowing to top it if only I could get a better high-speed-dubbing-tape-to-tape machine.

I never did.

Pretty much unreleasable due to the sheer number of samples (Prince and Queen, for starters), it's a mash-up of the shooting of JFK. The utter mundanity of "the motorcade sped on" commentary lends it a surreal edge, especially given the level of repetition.

A completely seminal piece of early plunderphonics.

Download Steinski and the Mass Media - The Motorcade Sped On (NME, 1987, Plunderphonics mp3)

Ruffneck ft Yavahn - Everybody Be Somebody (Peppermint Jam Extended) (MAW, 1995)

Wonderfully brash thumping House track.

As is the case with most great music, it's hard to fathom how the such simple elements have been combined to create magic.

There's not much to this track but it creates a unique feel, winding itself up into a frenzy. Simple, effective, almost punky House.

Download Ruffneck ft Yavahn 'Everybody Be Somebody' (House mp3) (Rapidshare)

Beach House - Myth (Sub Pop, 2012)

New dreamy loveliness from Beach House.

Very much picking up where the last album left off but a gorgeous swirl of 'Victorialand'-era Cocteau Twins loveliness nonetheless.

Download Beach House 'Myth' (Shoegaze, Dreampop mp3) (via Beach House website)

The Wedding Present - Bewitched (Live, 1989)

Recorded live for John Peel's 50th.

'Bewitched' is one of the key tracks on the 'Bizarro' album, signalling The Wedding Present's shift from wrist-wrecking jangle to guitar-twisting squall.

It lopes along on a circular riff, breaking down to a gentle strum before kicking back in with a crunch that Mogwai would be proud of.

This live version for John Peel's 50th birthday also possesses some of the most reverb-heavy drums I can remember hearing.

Download The Wedding Present 'Bewitched (Live for John Peel's 50th birthday) ' (indie mp3, Wedding Present mp3) (Rapidshare)

Four Tet & Burial - Nova (Text, 2012)

Rolling Deep House through a haze of urban cold. 

Another Four Tet and Burial collaboration. Maybe we can expect a full album?

Fuses dubstep bleakness with Deep House patter what sounds like Eastern atmospheric samples.

Think the Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence soundtrack remixed by Photek.

Very subdued but very intriguing. Soon come on Four Tet's Text label (TEXT013).

Four Tet & Burial 'Nova' (Text, Dubstep, Deep House, Electronica) (Soundcloud)

Edo Lobo - Vento Bravo (EMI Brazil/Odeon, 1973)

Simply a mental track - drum'n'bass vamps in 1973.

Borne of the Bossa Nova scene, Edu Lobo is a bit of a genius. 'Vento Bravo' is from his 1973 album 'Missa Breve' and, to me, I can hear a massive amount of dubstep/drum'n'bass/Warp-type complexity in it.

When you listen deep into the maelstrom of rhythmic piano lines, metronomic drumming carefully placed brass and wandering bassline, it's easy to get lost with its exquisite, hypnotic structures.

Anything you can get your hands on is worth picking up as far Edu Lobo is concerned. The two new Bossa compilations of Soul Jazz - Bossa Nova and the Rise of Brazillian Music in the 60s and Brazil Bossa Beat: The Story of Elenco Records seem to have spurred a bit of a reissue programme so I will be replacing my dodgy mastered-from-vinyl Brazilian CDs for shiny new ones.

Insanely good.

Download Edu Lobo 'Vento Bravo' (Bossa Nova, Genius, mp3) (Rapidshare)

Alice Coltrane - Journey In Satchidananda (Impulse, 1970)

Expansive, springy and a just a little bit Free. 

A spectacular record for its time and still pretty damn amazing today. It's underpinned by a loquatious looping double-bass running through the whole track, anchoring the chorus of bells and understated drums.

A mysterious springy sound constantly unfurls whilst Alice Coltrane's harp scats playfully across the sound field.

Whilst the track doesn't develop in either arrangement or intensity, it's completely engrossing.

Download Alice Coltrane 'Journey In Satchidananda' (Free Jazz, elongated, mp3) (Rapidshare)

Acid Brass - Let's Get Brutal (Blast First, 1997)

Classic early House given a roughing up in West Yorkshire.

Oh, now this is special.

There's probably a whole dissertation online somewhere about the parallels between urban dance music pioneers in the 1980s and colliery employees in the 1930s. Or maybe not...

Whatever, the fusion works perfectly on the 'Acid Brass' album and rocks particularly hard on Nitro Deluxe's 'Let's Get Brutal'.

It breaks into life, low and brooding, with real, live handclaps that are a revelation of effective simplicity. Rolling toms and xylophone mark out a twilight zone where majorettes march out of t'pit, grime smeared across their faces, uniforms dirtied and torn. Then the melody comes in crisp and clear and you reach for the fluorescent lights.

NB. Please note that this post was published at 8:08 as a tribute to the pioneers of Acid House.

Download Acid Brass 'Let's Get Brutal' (Brass Band, Acid House, mp3) (Rapidshare)

Pale Saints - A Thousand Stars Burst Open (Brass Band Version) (4AD, 1992)

Brassed Off treatment suits Shoegaze masterpiece.

Across two awesome albums, Pale Saints were genius, marrying proggy time signatures with skyscraping, yearning guitar pyrotechnics and angelic vocals. One of my absolute favourite bands ever.

This track was given away as a 7" with initial copies of 'In Ribbons' and just works perfectly.

Layers of gorgeous brass recreate the soundwash of the original, creating a wide open, In The Bleak Midwinter vibe that rouses to a joyful crescendo.

Stunning.

Download Pale Saints 'A Thousand Stars Burst Open (Brass Band Version)' (Brass Band, Shoegaze, 4AD mp3) (Rapidshare)

Ultra Vivid Scene - Special One (4AD, 1990)

Crunchily chiming indie pop with mumbled vocals. And Kim Deal.

Ultra Vivid Scene released a trio of rather fine albums on 4AD and then, I believe, disappeared.

This single was lifted from their (well, actually his, Ultra Vivid Scene is really a solo thing by the coolly named Kurt Ralske) second album. It features sweet, pure vocals from Breeder/Pixie Kim Deal alongside a lazily cute, indie pop-ish tune.

Download Ultra Vivid Scene 'Special One' (indie, 4AD mp3) (Rapidshare)