Hooded Fang - "Tosta Mista"

Toronto band Hooded Fang's second album 'Tosta Mista' is a breakup album like no other. This deals with the breakup of two of the bands members, Daniel Lee and April Aliermo... but it doesn't get in the way of an uplifting jangle-pop album. The title track is a garage/surf-rock gem that could get any bachelor pad swinging.

HOLY OTHER - "Touch"

'Holy Other' is a producer/man of mystery... so I haven't got too much to tell you. The label is Tri Angle and the musical style is a little bit of James Blake and a lot of Burial. Best enjoyed with the lights off and a glass of tawny port in hand. Oh, if you are afraid of ghosts - turn it off right now!

Robert Wyatt - "Shipbuilding"

Robert Wyatt's version of Elvis Costello's "Shipbuilding" actually pre-dated Costello's. Well, there is a reason... the music was written by Clive Langer (supposedly for Robert Wyatt) and while in discussion with Elvis Costello about the lack of satisfactory lyrics, Costello came back with this brilliant Falklands War tale of prosperity and loss. "Shipbuilding" is about the prosperity that a war, such as the Falklands War, may bring the shipbuilding areas of Britain, but with the possibility of losing some of their own people on the same ships in the war. Written and released during the Falklands war in 1982. Elvis Costello's own version was released on his 1983 album 'Punch the Clock'. A true classic!

Beastie Boys - "So What Cha Want"

I just heard about the death of Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (MCA). He will definitely be missed. A hip-hop legend!

Cornerstone Roots - "Journey"

Cornerstone Roots are a roots reggae band from Raglan. The key members Brian Ruawai (Vocals/Guitar) and Naomi Tuao (Bass) have recruited their 12 year old son Reiki Ruawai on vocals and his contribution on "Journey" is outstanding. The positive message that is "Journey" is quite uplifting. This should have been the hit of our recent summer.

De-Phazz - "Cut The Jazz"

De Phazz created a beautiful down-tempo classic from a sample by Ella Fitzgerald. "Cut The Jazz" comes from their debut album 'Detunized Gravity' released in 1997. The sample is from "Love For Sale" by Ella Fitzgerald. They were ahead of the pack with their jazz/lounge beats.... considering this is about 15 years old now. I love the fact that a sample of just a few seconds can result in something as beautiful as the original... yet completely different.



Ella Fitzgerald - "Love For Sale" If you want to hear where they got the sample from - you will have to wait until the 5 minute 31 second mark. But don't skip to it because it is a great journey getting there.

Suede - "She's In Fashion"

"She's In Fashion" is my favourite Suede song. It is from their fourth album 'Head Music' released in 1999. The swirling strings-like synth sound is sensational and gives this beautiful pop song a degree of lushness. The absence of Bernard Butler may have been a concern to Suede fans prior to the release of 'Head Music' but after the first listen, all of that was forgotten.