Bite-sized Bits 14

George Ault - From Brooklyn Heights (1925)

Coming back to Thievery Corporation again this time, I sometimes hold off on posting bits and pieces from them because I'm almost certain that I must have mentioned it before, only to find that I haven't. Another band that's pretty good at having a good portion of their discogs available directly from them on their Bandcamp too, so I haven't any excuses this time!

Thievery Corporation excel at this very specific kind of slick, well produced downtempo that I've branded with that coffee shop label in the past. I've never meant that as a knock on their style though - it's a pretty apt description all things considered, theirs is the kind of work that would appear on tons of 'chilled' or similarly themed compilations in the late 90's to mid 00's, which is actually how I found them in the first place. Amerimacka is one of many perfect examples of that to pull up, from the intro alone you get a real good idea of what the Corporation is all about - and more importantly the genres that underpin all their prodictions: per their bandcamp - Dub, Bossa Nova and Jazz records (Even going as far as to make an entirely Bossa Nova record in Saudade)

Teaming up with Notch here (thankfully not that Notch), the corporation wear their influences on their sleeves, running a dub delay over the vocals in spots and bookending the choruses with some lovely brass. It's not the deepest cut in their discography I'll admit, it does appear on their 'Best Of' compilation after all, but if you dig it as much as I do, you'll not put a foot wrong by diving headlong into everything Thievery Corporation has made. Come to think of it, how many downtempo acts even have a 'best of' compilation anyway?



And that'll do it for this entry and the second full week (not counting that first batch as I missed Monday!) of these shortform posts. I think they've proven to be pretty useful, comapred to the 2-3 track ones of old they feel much easier to thrown down. I am considering spacing them out a bit, maybe once every 2 days rather than everyday. But that's not because I'm finding it tricky or anything - rather I know how much of a pain it can be when there are too many updates you know, I'd like to give some of these time to sit before pushing them down the way. But enough about that - as always, stay safe and enjoy the music.

-CVF

Back Downtempo

Balcomb Greene - Way Down Blue (1945)

Looking over my recent choices and noticing a distinct lack of that downtempo streak that has been running through my writings since who knows how long ago. Thought I'd remedy that a bit with a cross section of some favourites I've not talked about before. Thievery Corporation kick things off with the title track from their album The Richest Man In Babylon, it's a great jumping in point if you're new to them, all the tracks are solid and a perfect demo of what you can expect from them. Babylon is a real blend of multiple genres, you can hear smidges of Reggae and Dub occasionally peek through, as well as a touch of Bossa Nova as the Corporation occasionally like to do. The whole thing is very slickly produced and as a result actually sounds pretty timeless despite being almost 20 years old now, I absolutely adore the brass on this track. To put it how a friend of mine said, it's "Perfect TV music", take that as you will!



Swinging back to my side of the shores for a little bit of Scruff. It's been a long time since I mentioned everybody's favourite tea-fuelled DJ which is a bit of a shame. We're talking the excellently titled Trouser Jazz today, the sequel to 1999's Keep It Unreal. Unlike the jump between his debut (the similarly punny Mrs. Cruff), and Keep It Unreal I feel like there's more of an obvious development in sound, and one for the better; the lovely jazzy sample work is still there, as are the surprisingly thick basslines Scruff is so fond off, albeit sounding a little more squelchy this time. The addition of Niko on the vocals makes the whole experience complete, both cementing that Jazzy influence that Scruff has in his works but also banishing those moments that I found on Keep It Unreal where the extended instrumentals got a little stale (which is worth noting isn't *always* true, some days I love 'em but it is a sticking point of that album for me)



And finally getting even more local with Fila Brazillia, who despite the latin-inspired name are actually from up t' road from me in Hull of all places. I checked them out initially off the heels of the remix they did for the Cowboy Bebop Remix album "Music For Freelance", and truth be told I think I like their solo works more than the remix. In a sweet twist of fate this album is of a similar era to the other two we've talked about today: 1999's A Touch Of Cloth. This album in particular has a very World-ly influence it touches all kinds of ground: Trip Hop with streaks of psychedelia (if the album art didn't tip you off already!) and even borders on proper full-on Freestyle Jazz in parts. Here's a 4-minute crash course and one of my favourites from the album; Airlock Homes.

Sunday Service (2020)

NOTE: Hi there! This is an older post that I've re-published and am re-posting as new articles too just so there is visible content going up. Note that the next post will be an original one! This post is originally from February 2016.

Enjoy,
-CVF

Apologies for the slight delay with this 'un, some things happened and I got carried away. Today's sesh is gonna be back to the chill side of things because that's what I'm feelin' ATM because of things that happened, more after some art fer yer eyes.

Edward Hopper - Early Sunday Morning (1930)

Been diggin' Thievery Corp's Saudade LP once again; the albums a bit of a departure from their usual trip hop modus operandi, instead opting for a return to a Bossa Nova style sound. The whole album is very relaxed, with perhaps some hints of sadness given the LPs title. This one comes with the added bonus of feeling extra cultured with the french lyrics.



Had a little chat with Evan a while back where we discussed our favourite Gorillaz songs, and as it turns out we both have a penchant for the more downbeat side of the project. I got around to getting the bonus tracks for main Gorillaz man Damon Albarn's solo effort Everyday Robots the other day and was quite surprised to be treated to another of Albarn's downtempo experiments.



And finally some Boards Of Canada. It took me a while to get me hands on this one back when, the Hi Scores EP I picked up came just a card sleeve with some Braille on. Everything You Do Is A Balloon takes a little while to get going for me, but once it does it earns a spot in the top of BoC's works.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Ilictronix Podcast: Trip Hop In Purple

"This week: Claude gives a primer into the genre of trip hop. Adam has a selections of songs that remind him of the color purple."

We carry on into the wild frontiers of 2019. This week I give what I call a vertical slice of trip-hop, nothing too obscure, but carefully skirting the big hitters such as Massive Attack's Teardrop. The opening mix of Duvet is fantastic. I adore the original too of course, but the mix is jut so deliciously 90's, it really pushes those partially nostalgic buttons of mine. It's coming up on 21 years old this year too, but that's the extent of my Benjamin Button-ing for this week. After that I dive into a bit of UNKLE, specifically the album Psyence Fiction where DJ Shadow was part of UNKLE, it's a fantastic addition to anyone whose into downtempo's collection, as well as another bit from the Sneaker Pimps remix album Becoming Remixed, which as I say in the episode is a masterclass in popular electronic genres of the time, in stark contrast to the timeless Spin Spin Sugar rework, 6 Underground maintains its moody edge with yet another slightly dated treatment from Perfecto

Rounding out the Trip Hop selections, we return to its roots in Bristol, with a back to back appearance from Tricky and the Massive Attack boys. I said pretty much my thoughts on Overcome in the episode, it's an absolutley stellar opening to an album and one that immediately springs to my mind when I think of what makes the Trip Hop sound. And of course we round out with Unfinished Sympathy, an incredibly popular record at the time circa 90-91, it's reputation is well deserved. To think that a track this well produced comes from a debut album is nothing short of sublime, the Massive Attack boys had solid tunes from the get go and it's great to see them (or rather, some of them given the line-up change between Protection and Mezzanine) still going strong today.

Adam takes us on a Synesthesia tinged tour of his listening history. The colour in question for this week is Purple. It's an interesting approach for sure, and one that I'm no stranger to if you listened to past episodes where I talk about my CMYK playlists (see the show notes!). Adam's choices this week maintain that downtempo mentality but obviously flip the genre, I was surprised at how well they fit together given how we've compltley contrasted in terms of sound in previous episodes. Once again though I am very happy to hear whatever Adam brings each week, and this week was no exception, there's some beautifully lush tunes in the second half of the show. I perhaps wouldn't tag them with purple myself but there's a definite theme going in with his choices. As always full tracklist and show notes are below!

Tracklist:
Intro:
Bôa - Duvet (Cyberia Mix)

Claude’s picks:
UNKLE - Unreak
Thievery Corporation - Until The Morning
Sneaker Pimps - 6 Underground (Perfecto Mix)
Tricky - Overcome
Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy


Adam’s Picks
Frits Wentink - Theme 5
Hot Music - Harry Romero
Feelarama - Sanasol
Armonica -Ngeke (Andhim Remix)
DJ Central - HejHej

Outro:
Byron The Aquarius - Truth Is What U See


Show Notes:
Right, well first things first I didn't explicitly mention putting this in the show notes, but I have to post the video for Unfinished Sympathy, it's fantastically shot and really drives home that americana influence that the first Massive Attack album had. Get a load of that early 90's fashion too.

And finally, the other thing I mentioned, re-posting the CMYK playlists when they each hit 100. They're all pretty close actually! but in true Van Foxbat form the one to hit it first was the Key playlist, home of all things dowmtempo and otherwise slightly depressing. Not strictly elctronic this one, which probably gave it a bit of a leg up in hindsight but regardless, you can find it here and if you're interested, my profile, with the rest of my playlists

Bluesy Tuesday

Carlos Saenz de Tejada - A Sad Girl (1921)

Little bit of a sadboy today so expect even more downbeatness than usual, starting once again with even more Bossa Nova style goodness from The Thievery Corp. The whole album is a lovely encapsulation of its title, full of wistful tunes to get down to.



More from Everything But The Girl again. Tracey Thorn once again lending herself to yet another downtempo offering. Much more a product of its time than her appearances on Massive Attack's Protection but that's to be expected, EBTG was the kind of band that occasionally broke through into the charts back then.



And finally another more instrumental number from The Flashbulb's Soundtrack To A Vacant Life. Well, I say instrumental but there are some whisper vocals towards the end, but even then it's very unlike the usual AFX style IDM you expect from The Flashbulb.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Lazy Sunday

Meant to put something up yesterday but I went out instead. As such I ain't feeling too hot so expect a thoroughly chill cross section of tunes today, starting with some Thievery Corporation. And while searching my soundcloud feed for cures for my ails I come across some perfect instrumentals that do well to rest my weary head. That and they help fill the void left by Adult Swim bumps. Def. going to be keeping an eye on these in future.



And a lil jazzy number to play us out. Good soundtrack for starting to feel a little bit better. Normal service will resume in due time, but until then, enjoy the selections and I'll see you soon.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Sunday Service

Apologies for the slight delay with this 'un, some things happened and I got carried away. Today's sesh is gonna be back to the chill side of things because that's what I'm feelin' ATM because of things that happened, more after some art fer yer eyes.

Edward Hopper - Early Sunday Morning (1930)

Been diggin' Thievery Corp's Saudade LP once again; the albums a bit of a departure from their usual trip hop modus operandi, instead opting for a return to a Bossa Nova style sound. The whole album is very relaxed, with perhaps some hints of sadness given the LPs title. This one comes with the added bonus of feeling extra cultured with the french lyrics.



Had a little chat with Evan a while back where we discussed our favourite Gorillaz songs, and as it turns out we both have a penchant for the more downbeat side of the project. I got around to getting the bonus tracks for main Gorillaz man Damon Albarn's solo effort Everyday Robots the other day and was quite surprised to be treated to another of Albarn's downtempo experiments.



And finally some Boards Of Canada. It took me a while to get me hands on this one back when, the Hi Scores EP I picked up came just a card sleeve with some Braille on. Everything You Do Is A Balloon takes a little while to get going for me, but once it does it earns a spot in the top of BoC's works.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Turnin' Tables

Remember like 3 years ago when I posted about going for my interview? well guess whose turn it was to give the new applicants the same treatment this time? Das right this guy right here. So apologies for the post drought, I gotta go be an adult and serious shit. But here I am with some tunes so do not fear!

Pam Glew - Exhale (2013)

Kicking things is one of the first tracks from UNKLE's follow up to Psyence Fiction, held off on it cos there was a decent year gap between the LPs and DJ Shadow isn't part of the lineup on this one. Turns out 'm a big thicky bobo and should probably check things out fist because while quite different from the turntabalist trip hop vibes of Psyence, the tunes here are just as solid and in some cases just as moody.



Got majorly into the Late Night Tales series a while back as you probably all saw with my playlist obsession. The cover songs have always been a highlight, from Röyksopp doing Depeche Mode toFatboy Slim doing Kraftwerk there's plenty to go around. But what's been played the most recently for me is Trentemøller's electric treatment of Chris Isaak's Blue Hotel. It's sinister in spots but is overall a gorgeous listen.



And finally another tune I avoid due to thicky bobo-ness. I kept being recommended Thievery Corporation at every turn thanks to my trip hop listening but avoided it because I was pretty sure that it'd be ore loungy than the moodier vibes of Massive Attack and the all out depressive Portishead. Turns out Trip Hop can jump the pond and it can be done just as well by my transatlantic brethren.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Days Off

Semester is over finally. Not out of the woods yet with the whole dissertation and all but whatever I'm taking a proper day off as compensation. Enjoy some choice relaxation selections from me.

José de Almada Negreiros - Black And White (1929)

Blu Mar Ten deserve an honourable mention as being one of the warmer albums I have on this winter. The opening track has been a long time favourite of mine, it's incredibly well done and a massive departure from their previous Drum & Bass shenanigans.



Said before it took me a long time to gt into Thievery because I was convinced that the Americans just couldn't do Trip Hop like us, which wasn't unreasonable given it was born out of Bristol and that. Turns out I was wrng on multiple levels. The Corp. sure don't do the moody vibes of say Portishead, but that's not what they're about. For example tey do a whole bunch of other stuff, take their most recent album Saudade for example, which is pretty much lounge come bossa nova through and through. And I totally adore the opening track:



And of course local hero of mine Nightmares On Wax is never far from my playlists. Here's one tune I missed out posting in my semi-review, was released just before the LP and only further sold me on NoW's newest. The man hardly disappoints and is by far and away one of my favourite ever dealers of chill tunes. Deffo check him out if you haven't already.



-Claude Van Foxbat