DFT 23

Hayling - from the album Machine Say Yes (2002) : FC KAHUNA

Not really a band as such, but a production duo who decided to play live in 2002 and recorded this album off the back of it. Very much from the Fatboy Slim “big beat” school, this track may actually be familiar to you as it has appeared on many chill-out compilations.  These days, the “band” tend to concentrate on TV and video game work.  Great way to start this mix

I’m Always Manic (When I’m Around You) – from the album Jesus That Looks Terrible On You (2008) : A BIG YES ... and a small no

One of my favourite albums from 2008, A BIG YES ...  are from New York and play very catchy jazz ... and rock ... and ska ... well, you get the picture. Centred around vocalist Kevin Kendrick, who also plays vibraphone, the lyrics alone are enough to raise a smile and make this band special

White Wolf – from the album 2 (2010) : RETRIBUTION GOSPEL CHOIR

Don’t let the name mislead you; this band are nothing like gospel, and they ain’t no choir either! From Minnesota, this band ROCKS!  Crunching guitar onslaughts, power chords and feedback.  Taking this collection out in style

22

Gimme Love – THE TROUBADOURS – 2009

Can’t give you a link to this one because, unfortunately, the album never got released. The band, who hailed from Liverpool and Wigan, split up before the release date, so the record company pulled it. A damn shame, because it is a great album. This track reveals their influences – The Stone Roses, The Las, The Coral - North West rock via California






Head For The Hills – THE MONK’S KITCHEN (from the EP The Wind May Howl – 2007)

Not sure where this lot are from, but as their influences are clearly The Las (again) and The Coral (again), the North West is a fair bet. What my mates call “jingly-jangly guitar music”. I love it

We Could Forever – BONOBO (from the album Black Sands – 2010)

After releasing two albums of generally chill-out music, this came as a real shock – cinematic sounds, huge production, great songs and live musicians.  I await the next album with high anticipation, especially as some of his contemporaries are pushing dance music into a whole new direction

Volume 21

Black Duck – LITTLE MASSIVE (from the album Little Massive – 2010)

What can I tell you about this band? Nothing!  Cannot find the album reviewed anywhere, and it seems to be no longer available. This is a damn shame, because this track is indicative of a rather excellent album. File under – classic rock instrumental

Dress Don’t Fit – THE SWIMMERS (from the album People Are Soft – 2009)

Regular readers will, by now, have spotted my penchant for quality pop music played to a dance groove. I can’t help it – I’ve always liked catchy pop music and will argue that bands going back as far as Zeppelin, Sabbath and Purple actually made catchy pop music.

Mrs Claus Kimono – THE DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS (from the album The Fine Print – 2009)

One of my favourite bands perform one of the grungiest, sleaziest Christmas songs ever. “Merry Christmas Everybody” this definitely ain’t!  Another band who are neighbours of REM, coming from Athens, GA they’ve been around nearly 15 years now. They have three guitarists. This is a good thing. They make great music

Twenty

Dream Get Together – CITAY (from the album Dream Get Together – 2010)

When this track starts, you think it might be a Zeppelin acoustic track ... then you think they might be CSN&Y ... but then the great pop vibe kicks in and you realise this band take their influences where they find them, but mostly from the bin marked 1970s prog rock. Great pop hooks but with the band seemingly jamming much of the time. It’s actually very clever indeed!

Cut Every Corner – ROOFWALKERS (from the album Roofwalkers –2009)

From Washington DC, here is a band that has taken a sound and run with it. The sound? The first Dire Straits album! Moody pop from a band that appears, alas, to be in hiatus

Odessa – CARIBOU (from the album Swim – 2010)

Caribou is Daniel Snaith from Canada, who previously recorded under the name Manitoba. Dance music with a huge pop influence is Mr Snaith’s stock in trade. He does it exceptionally well and I have no hesitation in recommending all his albums