JAMAICA JAMAICA...

If anyone can bring heat to this cold snap its Tanya Stephens. I think the only person who's come close to her in the last 5 years is one of my new favourites Azealia Banks.

Tanya's influential reggae emerged in the 1990's - from Jamaica, kingston - home of heat and sun - she moved later to Sweden where she signed to warner music Sweden before moving back again to Jamaica to release the critically acclaimed 'Gangsta Blues' album in 2004. 

Her label Tarantula has since released 3 of her records and this year we are due another - get ready for punchy reggae all through the winter, until then this will warm you up. 

'Its a Pity':

BACK TO IT...

Winter is looming, coats are back on and after arriving from the heat of sailing in Turkey the only thing to do is wrap up and put on some music that brings you back to warmth and wine and sails and the azur sea. 

Returning to old favourites usually does the trick but in this case a really good cover of an old favourite has done it. 

Boy & Bear from Sydney have worked out the choral harmony thing - much like Alt-J from last weeks post - seems to be a theme for now. Touring with the likes of Angus & Julia Stone and Laura Marling the band have increasingly become favourites amongst the 'drivey indie folk'. Their debut album 'Moonfire' has already reached platinum in the AIRA charts and is definitely worth a purchase, it will help the seasonal change! 

Have a listen; here is their cover of 'Fall at Your Feet'(Crowded House): 

HEAT...

This music deserves to be listened to on a boat in the heat while drinking some cold wine .. Monday morning blues made me feel like it was time for a proper holiday and this almost makes you feel like you are on one just listening to it. 

∆'s name, pronounced 'Alt-J' is used on a mac keyboard to achieve the Greek letter "Delta". It is explained by Gwil Sainsbury (the bassist) as 'the mathematical equation used to show change'. 

I think that in itself is enough to describe how different and inspiring this band are. Their debut album 'An Awesome Wave' is a perfect combination of Hot Chip and Everything Everything; nostalgia and good vibes. They are touring this Autumn - definitely worth ah trip to see. My Favourite song off the album today is MS. 

Here we go:

SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER TIME...

A little late of the mark but this was meant for 4 weeks ago when summer arrived... and then it left again. Now we've seen a tiny glimpse today im clinging onto it for the weekend..

The train pulled up in Norwich last night on my weekly commute and the sun was still up and I was hit with a wave of warm summer air as I walked down the platform. It was lush. Instantly relieved from London's sweat. These early summer days - particularly after weeks of rain, feel so good. Hours until the end of the working week and a weekend of sunshine ahead needs a good playlist - obviously each to their own but think my owns pretty good. It starts with a bit of nostalgic early summer R & B: 

                             

SNAKADAKTAL...

Welcome sun.. for a moment we thought you were not going to come at all this summer. Its arrived and with it will come a wave of summer hits - and hopefully a wave of heat too - Snakadaktal are an australian band, from Melbourne, very young, very beautiful and very fresh - just in time for summer. They have yet to grace the UK with their presence but have toured Oz with The Jezabels and will tour nationally this year solo too.. hopefully 2013 will bring them our way but until then the suns out here, enjoy.. 


'Air' by Snakadaktal:

FLYING OVERSEAS..

Only option at the moment is to leave the country - or plan to, or dream to plan to. Apt as this song is for that purpose there are other reasons for playing Theophilus London on loop. Born on the island of Trinidad, raised in Brooklyn, Theophilus has been making waves since early 2011. He is a very good mixture of the best of Michael Jackson and Prince and his album 'Timez are wierd These Days' will help you slip into spring even if its a little late this year AND the single 'Flying Overseas' will bring you to a hazy summers day where its just too hot to be worried about anything. Love him and his shirt. 

Flying overseas:

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CHANGE OF SCENERY...

Dirty Rap. Felt like a change of scenery and this song did it. I love her, she's playing at The Waterfront in October and tickets are booked.


Treading new footsteps into the year with clear influences from the best of the late 90s R&B artists Aaliyah and Destiny's Child; Azealia Banks, formerly known as 'Miss Banks' is hot news and the sound of 2012 - she's 20, from Harlem and everywhere right now - cant wait for the tour, the album and more to come..


Friday night dirty weekend opener '212' FT LAZY JAY