Can 'Halleluwah (Re-Edit)' (Spoon, 1971/1989)

Toughed-up re-edit of the 'Tago Mago' classic.

This version of 'Halleluwah' (originally from 1971's 'Tago Mago' album) was re-edited for 1989 compilation 'Cannibalism'. It dispenses with pre-amble and formality and gets down to the business of grinding out an intense tribal 'krautrock' groove.

To say Can are influential sounds trite now but back in the 1980s music as singular as this wasn't widely available - certainly not in the way that mp3s and downloading make it accessible now. (And, to be honest, I wasn't listening to Can back in 1989.)

Can had a massive influence of indie-alternative music, especially that which sought to move more than educate. Public Image Limited's angsty dub-heavy grooves like 'Poptones' (mp3) owe a massive debt and a quick listen to early, pre-Madchester Happy Mondays tracks like 'Wrote For Luck' (mp3) reveals an extensive lyrical and rhythmic debt.

Can's process of editing hours of savage improvisation down to fit the twenty-minute sides of an LP was at odds with the likes of Kraftwerk (mp3) who built lengthy pieces by refracting and reflecting simple, glacial melodies.

I've also always been fascinated by the parallel development of Miles Davis' fusion period and the work of Can. Can certainly took inspiration from Teo Macero's technique of editing finished pieces from hours of taped improvisation, a method which came to the fore during Miles' fusion period from 'Bitches Brew' to the mid-1970s.

Peerless.

Download Can 'Halleluwah (Re-Edit)' (krautrock, progressive rock, indie alternative mp3 download) (Mediafire)

The Beach Boys - Disney Girls (1957) (Brother Records, 1971) (mp3)

Just the most luscious piece of whimsical, melodic splendour from the 'Surf's Up' album.

The Beach Boys were on the slide, turning into a nostalgia act and they couldn't get arrested by 1971. However, I could get lost inside this record (and the 'Surf's Up' album) for days.

'Disney Girls (1957)' barrels gently along, guided by the piano and bass. Bruce Johnston's vocal is pure yearning and love, setting off the languid backing perfectly.

Typically lush Beach Boys harmonies drift into the track, setting off the restrained drumming and the break into the second section at 2:07 is pure heaven. The drifting, almost free-forming harmonies from 3:35 to end are simply beautiful.

Genius.

Download The Beach Boys 'Disney Girls (1957)' (mp3) (Mediafire)

Roy Budd 'Main Theme - Carter Takes A Train' (Get Carter OST, 1971)

One of the most evocative opening pieces of film music I know, Roy Budd's Main Theme from Get Carter melds small jazz group groove with atmospheric soundtrack ambience to great effect.

The composition creates a perfect sense of locomotion, the percussion driving on against the springy double bass and tabla. The almost glutinously reverbed harpsichord and then electric piano hold it all together.

It's been covered by artists as diverse as The Human League and Stereolab but the original is just perfection.

Download Roy Budd 'Main Theme - Carter Takes A Train' (mp3) (Rapidshare)