Music Mashup
Our regular Music Mashup feature had more facelifts in 2008 than Dolly Parton and Cher combined, so before another re‐vamp in 2009, here’s a look back at the best bits from the past twelve months.
Story Highlights
- Albums from January 2008
- DJ Michelle’s Best Albums of 2007
- Rise Festival ‐ July 2008
- Hot Stuff in August 2008
- Scottish Sounds
Albums from January 2008
Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall ‐ Rufus Wainwright: I’d heard this guy’s name before but I’d never dug deeper than the preconception that he was a cheesy, cover artist with an affinity for classical backings. One in depth interview in Esquire magazine later, and it turns out I shouldn’t have written him off. This is a great concert recording and if his live performances in Europe live up to the hype, then Rufus is someone you definitely want on your MP3 player.
Some People Have Real Problems ‐ Sia: This lady was referred to me by a friend whose musical taste swings between super‐ahead of their time‐cool to profoundly bad, mistakes of musical taste. Sia belongs to the first camp and this crazy little lady has a voice that matches her creatively kooky approach to music making. The best track goes by the name of Buttons and the low budget, highly entertaining, facially contorting video is a big hit on You Tube.
DJ Michelle’s Best Albums of 2007
- Amy Winehouse ‐ Back to Black
- Klaxons ‐ Myths of the Near Future
- MIA ‐ Kala
- Wiley ‐ Play Time Is Over
- Timbaland ‐ Shock Value
- Mark Ronson ‐ Version
Rise Festival ‐ July 2008
Rise is Europe’s biggest anti‐racism festival as well as one of the biggest live music festivals in London. Like Stokefest Rise is also a family affair and the funfair, costumes and dance acts will definitely keep you entertained ‐ even if the music doesn’t! Past acts have included Jamelia, Graham Coxon, Buzzcocks, The Wailers, Sway, Killa Kela and Roy Ayers ‐ so its definitely worth attending!
The Adulthood Soundtrack
Director Noel Clarke asked Bashy ‐ a well known MC on the urban circuit to help him compile the soundtrack. Indeed Bashy performs the film’s signature track Kidulthood to Adulthood. The UK Hip Hop heads will see the character Nabs is a familiar face ‐ he’s otherwise known as UK rapper Plan B and gets great exposure with two tracks on the soundtrack. The soundtrack features new up and coming UK talent alongside tracks by more established artists such Tinchy Stryder, Wiley and Dizzee. Also there was a MySpace music competition to be featured in the film ‐ won by Smart Kid and the track Doing My Fing, featuring BNG and Stranger. It’s an upbeat track which in addition to Sway’s F UR EX, uplifts the soundtrack’s sometimes depressing flow.
Hot Stuff in August 2008
Hot: Duffy ‐ Rockferry. I’m not a huge fan of this genre but I really felt the emotion in this Welsh songstress’s voice, when she belted out Warwick Avenue. The dance version of Mercy had me bopping along and I even joined the debate over Stepping Stone. Is it the best or worst song on the album? She sold out her Somerset House gig so I’ll leave you to decide whether this is just mediocre music or something more.
Hot: Sam Sparro ‐ Sam Sparro. I really, really wanted to fancy Sam Sparro. I mean there is a serious lack of good looking musicians these days and when I heard Black and Gold, I was hoping he’d have the looks to match his velvet voice. Unfortunately he doesn’t rock my world but I am looking forward to hearing his dulcet tones at the V Festival. If you like a soulful voice ‐ tinged with Electro beats then give him a go.
Scottish Sounds
Let’s talk Edinburgh. Home of bands such as Garbage, the Beta Band, Boards of Canada and of course the infamous sappy‐dap walkers, The Proclaimers. Edinburgh has been a hot spot for Indie music for years. Add to that all sorts of Jazz, Rock and classical festivals, and you have a city teeming with juicy local music ‐ a city just waiting to fill your night and shake you from the inside.
Scotland itself is the proud home of some of the most infamous, yet non‐famous independent noise in the world. With bands such as Aereogramme blasting out their intense instrumental backgrounds, Mogwai ‐ the loudest band in the world and the Twilight Sad who present a new fusion of beautiful music and lyrics, there’s always something new to listen to. More often than not these sounds leave you walking away shocked and awed by something off that radar that you completely dig.
‐ Contributors in 2008 included Michelle Mangal, Catherine Fish and Bryan RiebeekNo comments were found
