My Bloody Valentine [Only Shallow]
Never has noise been so musical as when it is created by MBV. Loveless is an amazing wall of sound at once energising and heat-breaking. I only wish there was more for us to listen to.
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La Ritournelle - Sebastien Tellier
Such a beautiful track. The soaring string arrangement would make it worthy of an entry in this list on its own, but when you add in the lazy-funk drums and the whimsical, poetic lyrics this is an all out winner. Sebastien Tellier is, by all accounts, a little barmy and I find his music somewhat hit and miss, but some people are made for a purpose, and this song is his.
Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space - Spirutualized [I think I’m in Love]
A symphonic trip through noise and melody. Touching, snarling and endlessly imaginative. Truly this is music for astronauts.
Lali Puna [Faking the books]
Lo-fi, downtempo, German electro pop. I only have a small collection of tracks from Lali Puna, but they keep me coming back, again and again. Beautiful suff.
PS - sorry for the loooong break
Keep it unreal [Mr Scruff]
Great album and it closes with this excellent song about Fish. Who can argue?
Killing me softly [The Fugees]
I’ll overlook the silly ‘yeah’s and ‘aha’s because Lauryn Hill has a magical voice. Heartbreaking and magical.
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Kings of Leon [Cold Desert]
Difficult to beat for a bit of pumped up american rawk. KoL seem to get better and better with every album. Can’t wait for the next one.
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Jedi Knights [May the funk be with you]
Yummy electro to get your week started. Enjoy.
Jelly Tones [Ken Ishii]
One from the archives. This is a great techno album from my youth. Brilliant mix of Detroit sensibilities with Japanese minimalism. This track, Extra, is just one of a bevvy of feet shufflers from Mr Ishii.
Joga [Bjork]
Mad as a hatter, bu such an amazing voice. All her albums have a different vibe, and Homogenic has the sound I like the most.
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Is this it? [The Strokes]
This track and the album that shares its name are (IMHO) the Strokes finest work. Sinewy, cynical and brilliant.
It takes a nation of millions to hold us back [Public Enemy]
My favourite rap album of all time. I love Chuck D’s style and Flav is just awesome.
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Isaac Hayes [Walk on by]
Of course I was tempted to post ‘Theme from Shaft’ but this is an incredible cover version of what many would consider an un-coverable song. Who’s the man? That’d be Isaac then.
Happy Mondays [Step On]
Marrying the late 80s rave and indie scenes the Mondays made some of the best party music ever. And Sean Ryder is a poet. And they had Bez.
