Tricky – Black Steel (Been Caught Steeling Mix) (1995)

Fantastic remix of Tricky’s cover of Public Enemy’s immortal “Black Steel” track that was originally released on their “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” LP in 1988.

Tricky’s original cover version appears on his classic debut LP “Maxinquaye”; this version appeared as one of the extra tracks on the Black Steel single.

For a brief period, Bristol was capital of the musical world with Tricky, Massive Attack, Portishead all releasing essential LPs. Previous posts by Massive Attack and Portishead are here and here.

This version is a long way removed from the typical trip hop shuffle but you just can’t beat an overdriven guitar …

 

 

Portishead – Roads (1994)

Classic “trip hop” masterpiece from Portishead’s debut LP “Dummy” released in 1994.

Lots of great stuff in the same vein was around at this time: Massive Attack, DJ Shadow, Tricky, and the classic early releases on the Mo’ Wax label (a wonderful early DJ Shadow track is already posted here).

It all petered out after a couple of years and I lost patience with the second Portishead LP released in 1997. Maybe time to double check this was the right call?

A fantastic live version and then the original track from the LP

 

Gui Boratto feat Iggor Cavalera – Plie (Original Mix) (2010)

Stumbled upon this on the latest compilation from the wonderful Kompakt Records from Cologne – their “Total” series of compilations is a treasure trove for anyone who likes 20th Century minimal techno type stuff.

Not quite sure why this appeals so. On many levels it is pretty generic but there is something there that hits the spot …

Gui Boratto has the great honour of becoming the first Brazilian techno producer to appear on this blog. Stay tuned to find out if there will be more ….

Coldplay – Talk (2005)

On one level, an obvious post to accompany Kraftwerk’s peerless “Computer Love”.

The genius of “Talk” is that it copies an old melody note for note and adds just enough to be worthwhile.

My judgement on this is clouded though. A nightmare drive to Cumbria in the very early hours of a very early January morning of 2006 ended just too late to grab a word with my dad before he slipped from consciousness.

I had driven in silence and flipped the radio on to catch the news, this was the song that was playing. Seemed right somehow.

Kraftwerk – Computer Love (1981)

Part of the greatest double A sided single of all time?

“The Model” on one side and “Computer Love” on the other.

The mechanistic vocals are the perfect complement to a sublime melody. The whole song is perfect, but, from 3:20 onwards, when the additional rhythm kicks in, this track takes to the stratosphere and never returns.

One of the greatest records of all time. 7+ minutes of pop perfection.

The Smiths – Paint a Vulgar Picture (1987)

On any day, this is a wonderful record.

On today, of all days, it says it all …

At the record company meeting
On their hands – a dead star
And oh, the plans they weave
And oh, the sickening greed

Classic track from the “Strangeways Here We Come” LP from 1987 … then a Morrissey live version from 10 years later.

Billie Holiday – Strange Fruit (1939)

With today seeing the passing of a 21st century diva, I wanted to go back to the motherlode for her style of vocals.

I’ve always been uncomfortable with those who sing in the ”karaoke” Billie Holiday/Nina Simone style that now abounds … can’t people sing in their “own” voices? I’d prefer it …

Strange Fruit is one of the greatest records of the 20th century. A highly political statement:

Southern trees bear a strange fruit

Blood on the leaves and blood at the root

Black body swinging in the Southern breeze

 Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

 Pastoral scene of the gallant South

The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth

Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh

And the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck

For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,

For the sun to rot, for a tree to drop,

Here is a strange and bitter crop

Original studio version then an unbelieavable live version.

 

 

 

Yvonne Elliman – If I Can’t Have You (1977)

I just love late 1970s disco.

I actually did at the time but there was a lot of other stuff going on …

The Clash, The Jam, The Sex Pistols, The Specials, The Beat, Theatre of Hate, Joy Division, Elvis Costello, Buzzcocks, Undertones, Iggy Pop, Bowie, The Police … bands that set out the best soundtrack ever …

Saturday Night Fever was a pivotal release. The opening tack “Stayin’ Alive” sets the bar at a height that, in my view, is only ever surpassed by this track ….

Rare Pleasure – Let Me Down Easy (1976)

In 1976, I was 12.

Weening myself off Hot Chocolate, Elton John, Wings and Chicago …..

A year later on , it was The Clash, The Pistols, The Jam, and  20 of Another Kind.

Bands that I still love today.

But, at the time, I had a sneaking love for Chic, Sister Sledge, Odyssey, KC and the Sunshine Band et al. Now, I am happy to admit this affection – some of the greatest records ever made.

In later years I came to appreciate that there was a disco “underground” akin to the post-punk underground of the “Desperate Bicycles”, “Diagram Brothers” and “Basement 5″ etc.

So, check “Rare Pleasure” from 1976; killer bass, strings and vocals.

One of the greatest records of all time!

Sister Sledge – Lost in Music (1979)

Pop pickers will make the obvious link with the last post.

In 1993, The Fall did a killer cover version of “Lost in Music” …

But this is one track that a cover version could never add anything to.

Unbelievable Nile Rodgers guitar over a killer bassline supplied by Bernard Edwards …. 32 years and counting, the Chic/Sister Sledge nexus has never been topped!

Already posted on this blog is the all-time classic “Thinking of You” (here) – this is right up there …

There has never been a Saturday night that wasn’t improved by hearing this ….