DATE ARCHIVES : August 2010

Mr. Scruff 1992 Hip Hop Mix

As part of Ninja Tune’s 20th Birthday celebrations they are giving away an ultra-rare Mr. Scruff mixtape from 1992. Originally limited to a mere 20 copies, and sold in Manchester’s Funky Banana record shop, it hasn’t been available anywhere since.

The mix reveals Scruff’s early passion for hip-hop, taking in tracks from Gang Starr and A Tribe Called Quest amongst many more of rap music’s innovators as well as touches of jazz.

Mr Scruff  is one of the true legends of Ninja Tune releasing  his first record with them way back in 1998, going on to create one of the label’s all time most successful albums – ‘Keep It Unreal’ – the following year.

You can grab it for free here

Mr. Scruff 1992 Hip Hop Mix

Deerhunter – ‘Revival’

It’s strange how sometimes even with advancements in technology and communications you can seem like that last person on the planet to hear about something – that’s the case with Deerhunter, still better now than never, yeah?

The latest listening is new single ‘Revival’, a dreamy, up-tempo throwback to late 60’s garage held perfectly together by some beautiful jangly piano playing, evoking memories of Village Green era of The Kinks.

Looking forward to the forthcoming album Halcyon Digest out later this year.

Deerhunter – Revival

Castlepalooza 2010: Videos/Review

I previously mentioned I was heading to Castlepalooza in Charleville Castle in Co. Offaly over the weekend charged with reviewing it for Goldenplec.com. The festival had a real relaxing and intimate vibe due in no small way to the picturesque surroundings of the castle, friendly staff and the rest of the 2000+ punters. All festivals have their faults/problems but I don’t want to dwell on them, I saw great sets from The Cast of Cheers, Adebisi Shank, Fionn Regan, Band on an Island, The Lowly Knights & Wave Machines.

Small festivals certainly have their place on the Irish circuit now and I’d highly recommend it for next year.

You can read my review over on Goldenplec.com (not sure how good/bad or indifferent it is) & there are some clips from the weekend below.

Thanks to Aidan & Goldenplec for the chance to go down & John for the photos.

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Castlepalooza 2010: In Photos

I had a great weekend at Castlepalooza in the idyllic surroundings of Charleville Castle is Co. Offaly.

I’d highly recomend it for next year and a full review will be up later on but till then here’s the weekend in photos starring The Cast of Cheers, Adebisi Shank, Fionn Regan, Mercury Rev, Band on an Island, The Lowly Knights & Wave Machines.

Photos thanks to John Squires.

22-20s Return

Lincolnshire quartet, 22-20s were once one of the most talked about bands on the UK music circuit (back in 2004, Fado Fado) and heralded as an intrinsic component of the blues rock revival prior to their ‘amicably’ split following the release of their debut.

They have returned to the fold following a personnel shake up and a secret tour under the pseudonym ‘Bitter Pills’ with new tunes and an album after too many years in the musical wilderness.

The album Shake/Shiver/Moan has been released in Japan & US so far which means we have to make do with what they’ve made available digitally. On this evidence they’ve added a little bit more ‘indie’ to their tried and tested blues rock formula but lost none of the verve and vigour from the first time round.

Mp3: 22-20s – Latest Heartbreak

In case you’ve forgotten/unaware what they sounded like back in 2004/05?

Mp3: 22-20s – Devil in Me