Remember Me - Tame Impala
Psyched out cover of Blueboy's '97 one hit wonder that kept me rooted to Liverpool Acid Jazz club dancefloors back in the day. The original is based around two samples from a live version of Marlena Shaw's Woman of the Ghetto. This version is the B-side of Tame Impala's Sundown Syndrome single. Last month saw the highly anticipated release of the Ozzie ensemble's second album Lonerism.
http://www.tameimpala.com/
The Witch - The Primitives
I must admit that I was never really a big fan of late 80s Conventry indie pop ensemble The Primitives. I wouldn't have thought there was much reason for them to reform 20 years later, but I was intrigued to hear that they had recorded an album of semi-obscure covers on interesting Spanish label Elefant Records. While most of it's not my bag, I just can't resist this spooky psyched out version of 60s German duo Adam and Eve's The Witch. Consider it a belated trick or treat. Oh, and check out the original.
http://the-primitives.co.uk/
Lupine Dominus - Thee Oh Sees.
Washing dishes and checking out the Uncut Magazine September free cd, when track 8 came on, I almost dropped and smashed my best china. In the midst of a desert of the kind of dull alt-folk-rock that unfortunately seems to be taking over the world, Lupine Dominus was my oasis, quenching a long overdue thirst for something a bit out of the ordinary. This track has it all: it's dirty and fuzzy but when Brigid Dawson's vocals emerge, you're transported to a more blissful place. Their new album, Putrifiers II, is a joy from start to finish.
http://www.theeohsees.com/
Rainy Day - Susan Christie
I've just about had a bellyful of Adele, so I'm always rooting around for tracks by female singers with a difference. This beautifully rich vocal by the largely overlooked Susan Christie is featured on touching psychedelic folk album Paint a Lady which was finally released on Andy Votel's marvellous Finders Keepers label several decades after it's 1970 recording.
It's a Rainy Day Sunshine Girl - Faust
More talk of unpleasant weather (well I do live in Belgium!) this time from German Krautrock trio Faust and their 1972 track with an unexpected but delicious sax solo at the end.
Caught By the Sun - The Soundcarriers
When Broadcast's Trish Keenan passed away last year, a hole was left in my life. The good news is that Broadcast will be back with a new album in January 2013 featuring vocals recorded by Trish before her death. In the meantime, said hole was temporarily filled by the cinematic sounds of Nottingham's The Soundcarriers with their two remarkable albums Harmonium and Celeste. They have now gone on to take up their own place in my heart and I'm sure you'll see why when you hear Caught By The Sun.
http://www.thesoundcarriers.com/
Girl - Opossom.
Nostalgia-drenched psych pop from New Zealand named after a cuddly marsupial; who'd have thought? In fact, quickly skimming through my music collection, I can't find anything else from that part of the world. I may have a dusty old Crowded House cassette somewhere and I briefly remember a dalliance with some MP3s from a colourful outfit called The Ruby Suns, but other than that, I welcome any suggestions for a more comprehensive Kiwi playlist. This opening track from debut album Electric Hawaii gives a playful nod in the direction of The Velvet Underground's Femme Fatale before drowning you in Beach Boys vocals and Beatles drum patterns. Their single Blue Meanies is also worth more than one listen.
http://opossom.bandcamp.com/
Wives and Lovers - Andy Williams
Sad times. The music industry recently said goodbye and RIP to two of its legends: Hal David, one of the finest and most influential lyricists and one half of the only partnership to rival Lennon and McCartney, closely followed by velvet-throated 60s legend Andy Williams. Here they collaborate on the innocently misogynistic Wives and Lovers. Music by the wonderful Burt Bacharach.
Our Day Will Come - Ruby and the Romantics
More recently brought back into the spotlight with Amy Winehouse's slightly skanky and delicious version on posthumous compilation, Lioness: Hidden Treasures, this 1963 orginal has the edge thanks to is delightfully soaring hammond swirls.
Beep Beep - Edgar Summertyme
Perhaps new album Sense of Harmony is not his best work to date, but this cheeky bossa nugget from my favourite Liverpool bedroom noodler keeps putting a smile on my face. For those who want to explore further, Summertyme also goes by the name Edgar Jones.
Baby Please Don't Go - Gary Glitter
Perhaps not the best choice of track when, a week after recording my show, Glitter is once again in the public eye under suspicion of wanting to be in Jimmy Savile's gang. But political correctness aside, this version of blues classic Baby Please Don't Go is just too good not to share. And there are the other musicians to consider...
Food For My Soul - The DragonsIt's a long story, but the edited version goes something like this. Way back in the 70s, some one-time Beach Boys session musicians were playing around in the studio and recorded an album of experimental jazzy harmony-laden grooves that never got released. Forward 30 odd years when DJ Food discovers Food For My Soul on an old surf soundtrack and loves it so much that he gets in touch with the Californian brothers leading to an eventual 2007 of their lost album BFI on Ninja Tune. Interestingly, Daryl Dragon was also one half of 70s duo Captain and Tenille who topped charts with their cheesy but lovable hit Love Will Keep Us Together.
Jardin du Luxembourg - The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger
Like father like son? Quite possibly, as the most talented of the Beatles offspring has shacked up with his model girlfriend in a New York appartment where I can't help but imagine they lie in bed amongst a sea of quirky musical instruments recording their cutesy melodious pop.
http://www.thegoastt.com/
Two Fingers - Jake Bugg
Support act for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, baby-faced Jake Bugg first impressed me with his flawless performance on Later...with Jools Holland. The Nottingham-based teenager is affectionately referred to as the "council estate Dylan" and Two Fingers does what it says on the tin; if he gives a double digit salute to any record company moguls that try to polish him up, I think there could be great things to come.
http://jakebugg.com/
Sneak Into My Room - James Levy and The Blood Red Rose
A modern day take on Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra, James Levy and The Blood Roses's country tinged debut album Pray To Be Free is chock full of romantic duets like Sneak Into My Room. Plus there's a really cute cat in the video!
http://www.myspace.com/bloodredrosenyc
Desert Raven - Jonathan Wilson
A hint of Americana to finish with this luscious sun-drenched piece of nostalgia from Wilson's 2011 album Gentle Spirit. Jonathan Wilson was born around about the same time as me and here he evokes the nights when I was allowed to stay up late and hear my parents spinning 70s classics like The Eagles, Crosby Stills Nash and Young and America.
http://songsofjonathanwilson.com/
