Allez Allez - Valley Of The Kings (alt link)



A song for the warm hearted Viking in us all. Allez Allez originally released Valley Of The Kings as a single in 1982, but if I hadn't told you that and you hadn't previously heard of them you could easily mistake it for a much more recent production. These Belgian avant-popsters of yonder must be reveling in this rekindling of interest of all things Belgian and funky with perhaps belated sense of achievement. A Best Of compilation has been released and also features remixes by Aeroplane, Lindstrom & Prins, Quiet Village and Optimo Espacio. Really good.




Relatively new in comparison is this track by Stars As Eyes, one of my all-time faves for nostalgic reasons. It was also my first taste of Tigerbeat6. 6 years ago, how time flies.



Stars As Eyes - Suspension Days (alt link)

The Chemical Brothers - Galvanize (Jordan Naumov Remix) (alt link)



If you're going to remix a song then first, make it a good song and second, do a good job of remixing it. Jordan Naumov meets both these criteria with his mix of Galvanize. Off to Gatecrasher for the day today, clash permitting I *may* go and catch The Chemical Brothers but to be honest i'm more drawn to the tent containing the beats of Justice, Chromeo, Tiga, Proxy and Boys Noize. Now, where are my wellingtons!



Motor - Flashback (T.Raumschmiere Remix) (alt link)



Insane. Taken off the Flashback vinyl single release that also features some excelling handiwork from Franz & Shape adding to the potency of Motor's original.

Electro pop.

Koko Von Napoo are an attractive Parisian indie band. Chateau Marmont (presumably named after the famous Hollywood hotel) turn their vintage equipment on to remix the track Polly. Creating an insatiable electro-pop delight. Drum machines and bouncy synth hooks burrow their way in to your head while the irresistible French accent makes you go all fuzzy (we discussed this at length the other day, male or female the French accent is considered enchanting by 7 out of 10 Britishes) Anyway, check out Chateau Marmont for some more dreamy space pop - it's really good stuff.


Koko Von Napoo - Polly (Chateau Marmont Remix) (alt link)


And from one addictive pop tune with congenial female lyrics to another. Little Boots has been making big footprints in the domain of music blogs. You've probably heard Stuck On Repeat and admittedly i'm a bit late on this one, but for those of you who have not heard it then here is your chance. A real gem that has left people reaching out for superlatives.


Little Boots - Stuck On Repeat


End electro-pop


Start 1960's Femmes


Christine Delaroche - Des Tigres Et Des Minets (alt link)


Clothilde - Fallait Pas Ecraser La Queue Du Chat (alt link)


Virginie Rodin - Commando Spatial (alt link)


Swoon. I just love dancing to old tunes like those.

Oh France. Why do you treat us like this?


Minitel Rose - Elevator (alt link)


Minitel Rose - Better Days (part 2) (alt link)


On everyones lips for all the right reasons it's Minitel Rose. Cooking up a precious blend of 80s inspiration mixed in with all the sounds we've come to expect from various French house moguls. Feel good tunes for feel good times.


Remote - Black Fi (alt link)


Remote - Veron (alt link)


Remote are sinister yet enticing. A cold underbelly disguised by a fluffy exterior. They say it's about techno and disco meeting on the same dancefloor. Backed by the likes of Holden and Tiga their latest LP'Dark Enough' is available HERE.

In 1960, after Mali won Independence from France, the government specified that each of the eight regions of Mali be represented by an orchestra comprised of, naturally, their very best musicians. The orchestras convened once a year from 1962-68, and subsequently every other year until the mid-eighties, to determine who was the best. This record documents a portion of the repertoire performed by the Orchestra Regional de Kayes, representing a region in the northwest of Mali bordering Senegal. It is their only recording, and was originally released in the Barenreiter-Musicaphon series. The bulk of the songs are renditions of traditional Mande folk songs, interpreted in the context of Mali's burgeoning modernity. Re-released by Mississippi Records, Orchestra Regional de Kayes provide one of the most fascinating and downright wonderful selection of African guitar music you will ever hear. Timeless. Buy the record HERE.


Orchestra Regional de Kayes - Sanjina (alt link)


Orchestra Regional de Kayes - Kayi (alt link)




Admittedly (and sadly) that might not be to everyones taste, but something I do believe will have broader appeal is the new album by The Chap entitled Mega Breakfast. Whereas the Ham had just the odd standout track on it (Oozing Emotion still as amazing as ever), Mega Breakfast has no bad tracks just some of the catchiest indie dance pop tunes you will hear this year, humour and music hand in hand. A contender for my favourite new release of 2008 so far.


The Chap - Fun And Interesting


The Chap - Carlos Walter Wendy Stanley




Back in time we go. Das Kabinette from 1983 and a track that instantly brought The Mighty Boosh to mind.


Das Kabinette - The Cabinet




Right, ATP time. I'll leave you with a taster of what i'm looking forward to, and shall return next week satisfied and sunburned.


Glass Candy - I Always Say Yes (alt link)


No Age - Teen Creeps (alt link)


Times New Viking - Devo & Wine (alt link)

Michoacan - Held Up (Michoacans Lord Synthious Take) (alt link)


Energetic electro funk with super spacey synths by Michoacan. The Held Up EP also features a remix from Naum Gabo, who did this eerily off kilter synth up of Midnight Mike's United about a yonk ago.


Midnight Mike - United (Naum Gabo Remix)



Charles Manier is just one of the seemingly endless stream of wonderful electronic music craftsmen that make Ghostly the great label it is.


Charles Manier - Bang Bang Lover (alt link)



Having not heard anything of Play Paul since his 2005 release 'Yesterday' on Kitsune which I have to say didn't impress me that much considering the guy is brother of Guy 'Daft Punk' De Homem-Christo, my opinion has somewhat changed upon hearing 'All Mine' and 'Breathe'. Jan Driver turns out a great remix here too.


Play Paul - Breathe (Jan Driver Remix) (alt link)



Well that was a nice little jaunt into the fashionable world of electronic music.


Oh, 1983.






ATP vs Pitchfork in less than a week! Excitement mounts!