It All Comes Down To This

 

Almost one year ago A Certain Ratio, one of the first and finest post-punk bands from Manchester, released their 1982. Now they are back with another new album, an album that is simply inspiring. Based on their traditional sounds they show that they arrived with their kind of music in today. They have always been difficult to categorise musically, the post-punkers from Greater Manchester. A Certain Ratio remain true to this claim to this day, but have deepened and refined it over the decades rather than honing it, as is the case with many bands of the same age. This album is a shimmering panopticon of styles and sounds that does not deny its basic DNA, consisting of funk and Factory sound. What A Certain Ratio deliver is always completely independent, stylistically confident, diverse without sacrificing funk and fantastic bass lines. In some moments they are reminiscent of Echo and the Bunnymen, while in others their metronome-like drumming is reminiscent of Can. It is also an album you could listen from the start to the end in one row. And this is one of the greatest compliments I can give to any artist. 

Monday's Long Song

 

Last week another compilation for Shelter Me was released via Paisley Dark Records. Shelter Me is a collective set up to use music to raise funds to tackle homelessness in the UK. It is another collaboration of more or less well known electronic artist presenting their newest kind of releases. I think any project supporting homeless people in these days should be welcome and if it is only that we remember them.

A Tribute To Curtis Mayfield

 

Last year in autumn Cologne's WDR Big Band and the WDR Funkhausorchestra made a tribute concert in honor to the music of Curtis Mayfield. He was one of the leading figures in the civil rights movement who also conveyed a great social message with his music. Many of his songs are monuments to the soul and funk of the seventies. I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of orchestral sound, but this concert is a highlight of musical quality. All the musicians involved are in a class of their own and a sound experience in itself. Treat yourself to an hour and enjoy well-known songs in an extraordinary guise.

Monday's Long Song

 

Another release by Martin Jenkins aka Pye Corner Audio and another spooky electronic excursion into his space. A steady beat is the floor for some improvisation with synths. Not the worst way to start into another week.

These Immortal Souls

 

Sometimes it takes re-issues to remember a band that I listened ages ago. This happened when I got the news that the albums by Australian post-punk band These Immortal Souls was released a few days ago. Formed in 1987 in London from the ruins of Crime And The City Solution, an another underrated band by Rowland S. Howard they brought us back an almost impossible combination of blues and punk. I remember their first album was on heavy rotation in the gothic scene back then. And I have to admit that that I liked their music in these days but wasn't a huge fan of them. But listening to the albums decades later I can got aware that they were more than a post-punk epigone.  Howard is croaking the lyrics Cave-stylish but his guitar is sharper than many others and their influences are massive. On These Immortal Souls it sounds like the Doors had a session with Bowie. Not the music for every day but ace from time to time.

These Immortal Souls - Marry Me (Lie! Lie!)

These Immortal Souls - These Immortal Souls

These Immortal Souls - Blood And Sand`She Said

These Immortal Souls - The King Of Kalifornia

Fly Like An Eagle

 

Steve Miller, a West-Coast blues guitarist from San Francisco released his ninth album Fly Like An Eagle back in 1976 and was one of those albums older friends of mine raved about almost 50 years ago. I remember when I was the first time in a hippie pub in my home town for one of my first pints this album was the soundtrack for more than one hour. I have to admit that I didn't knew the artist and his combination of country blues and psychedelic sounds fascinated and impressed me. This album was one of my first bought long players and I grabbed out a few days ago and the music is still fascinating to me and not only for sentimental moods. Steve Miller was one of these artists late hippies and not born punks could agree. Of course he stole some riffs from British bands like Free from All Right Now on Rocking Me but this doesn't really matter because it sounded like a song by himself.

Monday's Long Song

 

In 2010 The Orb released Metallic Spheres, a collaboration with Pink Floyd's guitarist David Gilmour born during a charity session. There is only one song on each side and a superb fusion of ambient and old style psychedelic guitar. It was an album that is played in many chilled out bars when I was in Asia these days. Last year a remix of this album was released and shows the beauty of this collaboration once again. For me a perfect start into the week.

The Orb & David Gilmour - Round Side: Seamless Solar Spheres Of Affection (Round Side)