Blow Smoke Rings
Music to Blow Smoke Rings Across the Floor
Let’s try something else. Maybe you’ll recognise some of it; maybe not. It really doesn’t matter as long as it takes you up and away
featuring artists like
Ambient Jazz Ensemble, Hardage, Peter Gabriel, Bliss, Klinkajous, Aphrodite’s Child
Kick-back time; the drink’s primed; the politically incorrect smoke lies ready to hand; there’s just one thing missing. What to play on the sound system? Sure there’s your cool stack of albums; the familiar CD’s on the shelf; the carefully curated MP3 selection. But hey, you know what? Let’s try something else. Maybe you’ll recognise some of it; maybe not. It really doesn’t matter as long as it takes you up and away; like those smoke rings you’re blowing across the room. Let’s get started…
As Falls Wichita So Falls Wichita Falls – Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays
30 October 2018
From the album of the same name, this twenty minute monster is a masterpiece; a musical narrative that might be a film score, but isn’t!…
Castellorizon – David Gilmour
23 October 2018
Is David Gilmour the “real” sound of Pink Floyd?
If, like me, you’re something of a Pink Floyd fan then no doubt you’ve already struck gold by listening to David Gilmour’s solo album from 2006 “On An Island” from which this track is taken…I guess if you haven’t then you’re in for a treat…
Cleo – Fragile State
16 October 2018
Fragile State were another one of those short-lived electronica collaborations like Lemon Jelly that seemed to proliferate at the turn of the millennium – a golden age for sampling and downbeat. FS were formed by two guys, one from Zero 7 – Neil Cowley – and Ben Mynott…
The Cinema Show – Genesis
9 October 2018
Now this is the real McCoy, from Genesis’s best album (in my humble opinion) – “Selling England By The Pound” – released all those years ago (1973!) and featuring Peter Gabriel of course. They’d already broken new ground with “Foxtrot” and “Trespass” with their lengthy rambles into instrumental riffs allied to absurdist lyrics from Gabriel – have a listen to “Get Em Out By Friday” or “Supper’s Ready” if you want a real taste of that!..
Daydream In Blue – I Monster
3 October 2018
This is one of those electronica songs I first heard quite by chance on a late-night radio show back in 2001…and was thoroughly annoyed that the DJ failed to give me a name check of either the track or the artist! Ah!!! Now what? How to find it?…
Finest Hour – Submotion Orchestra
26 September 2018
My second submission, after “Red Dress”, by this Leeds based band featuring the dulcet tones of Ruby Wood, and the lush pseudo-orchestration led by the trumpet of Tommy Evans. This is a seven minute build of electronica/jazz which pretty much sums up the musical style you can expect from each of their four albums…
Chariots – TransGlobal Underground
19 September 2018
Can their album “Psychic Karaoke” really be over twenty years old now? Released in 1996, I heard “Chariots” up first and was absolutely hooked by the depth of sound, the subcontinental/Arabian voice of Natacha Atlas (!) and the changes of rhythm and sounds. The super duper highway indeed!…
People Make The World Go Round – The Stylistics
11 September 2018
In the early 70’s the sound of Philadelphia was all the rage and along with bands like the O’Jays, The Stylistics were at the forefront. They had a sugary sound that didn’t always appeal to me – songs like “Betcha By Golly Wow” for instance – but I absolutely LOVE this song – this full length version’s great!…
I Don’t Love You Anymore – The Young Rascals
4 September 2018
Late 60’s I was into The Young Rascals (later, just The Rascals) as they released a succession of singles that caught my attention – they weren’t necessarily hits, although “Groovin’” was a monster – but I enjoyed the philosophical lyrics allied to the sophisticated production elements…
Alone Again Or – Love
28 August 2018
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t have a copy of the seminal psychedelic album, “Forever Changes” released first in 1967? Maybe it’s passed you by; if so, then this song should give you a flavour of what to expect with its gentle guitars, harmonies and orchestration…
Pinzells – Joan Bibiloni
21 August 2018
Well, I do like a bit of laid-back acoustic guitar and when it’s allied to that oh-so-smooth Balearic background stuff….well, it HAS to make this curation! Don’t be fooled by the spelling of the Christian name – Joan is a guy!…
British Summertime – Bent
15 August 2018
Well, with the UK in the midst of its best summer sun since 1976 – heatwave! – what could be better than a chilled song that radiates Englishness? Bent (Simon Mills and Neil Tolliday) are one of my absolute favourite downtempo mixers/samplers from the turn of the millennium…