Music Mashup

The Dubplate Special

Seeing as this month is all about Dubstep, I thought I'd insert some musical context in the form of a certain Mr Perry - one of the founding forefathers of Dub and Reggae music. Most of you are familiar with the Prodigy hit Outer Space but might be unaware that the famous chorus is sampled from a Lee Perry track called Chase de devil. Support came from the Rebel Mystics who glamorously sported bright yellow Norwich Football Club t-shirts, and the gravely voiced Jimmy Ranks. The main man himself then appeared - resplendent in red velour and plenty of bling. He proceeded to guide the dreadlocked crowd with a mixture of humanitarian and sometimes saucy lyrics, even attempting to jump around a bit (remember he is 71). The crowd certainly lapped it up, there were plenty of lighters being held aloft and my highlight was when Perry caught one of the air borne glow sticks, proceeded to shake it and then bestowed it on his bass player!

A Night in the Life of Rinse FM

Good girls don't go out on school nights and naughty girls concoct emergency contact lens fittings so that they can skive work and hear Dubstep darlings Skream, Benga and Youngsta rip up the dance floor. Rip it up they did. Now I remember Youngsta from my Garage days and on this night he played a Dubstep set that had the same mad rhythms and also the same intenseness, often found in Grime. Benga is another head from the Garage days but his production has definitely moved forward. Night was in fact one of the most played and biggest Dubstep tunes of this year.

Now on to Skream who tore the floor up and discarded it like a soggy tissue - so joyous was the response of the crowd. There were absolutely no dancing rules and the sight of Rude Boys and Indie Bois bouncing around like they were part of some tribal dancing ritual was certainly something to behold. With surprise guest Mighty Mo providing the lyrics, there was a consensus among the crowd that we were getting the best of both worlds - new beats and old flows.

A Taster of the January Music Mashup

Next month sees me musically heading to the North - no not just north of Watford Gap but actually heading: “Oop Norf!” Leeds, Sunderland and Newcastle have produced the best of the Northern bands to date- The Futureheads, Maximo Park and the Artic Monkeys, so let's see what their second albums have to offer and while we're at it let's check out Skream's new album.

Album Reviews

Skream - Skream

The eponymous titled album from Skream features one of the tunes that arguably helped to put him on the map - Midnight Request Line, but I feel that Stagger, Dutch Flowers and Summer Dreams - with their sonic mix of Garage, Grime and D'n'B are a delightful and definitely worth downloading. My personal favourite is Check-It featuring Warrior Queen but I'm sure that Tapped featuring JME will be a Street favourite too.

Maximo Park- Our Earthly Pleasures

Many people ask me why I love Paul Smith – they've obviously have never heard a Maximo Park album. There's nothing like this band when it comes to accurately describing the angst and passion of heartbreak and this, their second album is no exception. Tracks By the Monument, Books from Boxes and Girls Who Play Guitars all describe with quirky and apt lyrics, the joys and letdowns of being in love. Seeing the boys in Newcastle should hopefully exceed my expectations - again!

Artic Monkeys- Favourite Worst Nightmare

Now I missed the initial furore surrounding the Artic Monkeys but quickly became seduced by the witty turn of phrase a certain Mr Turner employed and the sheer energy exuded. Social commentaries, snooty bouncers and fit girls, all appearing side by side made their first album thoroughly enjoyable and a tough act to follow. Favourite Worst Nightmare is just as packed with hits and the trademark energy, but is also seems to be marked with darker, sadder, more minimalist songs. This might have something to do with Turner breaking up with his girlfriend, but nonetheless most of the album is enjoyable. If You Were There, Beware is my favourite track

The Futureheads - News and Tributes

There seems to be something about the North East that helps to breed bands capable of being intellectually aware and emotionally sensitive. I won't go into a longwinded narrative on this but I think The Futureheads, along with Maximo Park fit squarely into this box, along with the cache of making music that makes you want to dance like its 1999. How can you ignore an album that starts off with a tune like Yes / No and then consistently keeps the quality up? Having said that I'm a bigger fan of the first album and I am looking forward to hearing some material which has been well received on the continent, where the Heads have been touring.

New Music to Keep an Ear Out For

Afrikaan Boy – He debuted on M.I.A's album and the tongue in cheek lyrics, spoken in the thickest Nigerian accent ever, are thought provoking and humorous. If you like Sway, you'll probably like this guy as well. Check out the sound at www.myspace/afrikaanboy
Paul White - I went to Mr White's single launch for the track Dragon Fly and I'm hoping that with support he can continue to bring something fresh to the UK Hip-Hop scene. You can hear him at www.myspace/paulmw  

- DJ Michelle

Music Mashup