Today is the Mercury Music Awards and they are being hosted at @abbeyroadstudios @freshonthenet asked a question on his fabulous #nowplaying show on @bbc6music – what album in the past got nominated but never won? Naturally there are so many, but one I didn’t realise was nominated when looking for my favourite was Take That’s …
Single Review: “West End Girls” – Pet Shop Boys
On 11th January 1986 The Pet Shop Boys scored their first UK No.1 single with ‘West End Girls.’ The first version of the song was released in April 1984, becoming a club hit in the United States, after the duo signed with EMI, the song was re-recorded with producer Stephen Hague. Now I remember the …
Single Review: “Love$ick” Bacao Rhythm And Steel Band
Bacao Rhythm And Steel Band – Love$ick Straight off the bat I knew this track immediately… I didn’t go to the PR write up I went straight to the track, it’s my go to thing so I don’t get prejudiced by knowing who the artist is. The drums starts off the party and it’s punchy …
Single Review: “Unfinished Sympathy” – Massive Attack
This track is just beautiful! Why did I pick it for the throwback track of the day? Well back in 1998 listeners for BBC Radio 1 voted this number 1 in the 100 national anthems. For me this track has got everything, lush strings, scratching, a breakbeat with hypnotic bells in there too. The vocals …
Single Review: “Witness Me” – Jacob Collier, Kirk Franklin, Stormzy, Shawn Mendes.
Well, this is…. HUGE. A multi instrumentalist with prodigious amounts of talent. A gospel music legend. A British rapper who is larger than life. An incredible singer songwriter from Canada who’s killing it right now… Plus a 500 voice choir no less. This starts off with Jacob’s signature tones, rich in sound, backed by finger …
Blog interview: Chima Anya
Hello Chima, how are you? Yes Del my bro! I am good cannot complain at all whats good on your ends? I’m great thank you! Baking heat, but not complaining! Congratulations on making the Fresh Faves with The Difference how does it feel? Very grateful bro, the standard is always so high and to get …
Blog interview: Uncle Kid
Hello Uncle Kid, how are you? I just went to Lidl to buy a cauliflower. I can feel autumn in my bones now. I dread this time of year. Anyway, I get to the checkout and apparently I’ve hit my shopping goal for the month and have earned a free loaf. But when I pick …
Single Review: “Mindfulness” – River Nelson.
This track starts off with a jazzy gospel part that’s just two chords over some lush strings. When Andy Kettle sent me this, he had me from the chord progression. But this is not where I was invested. Oh no. No no no. The hard hitting drums? Nope. The lack of bassline? Oh yeah I …
Blog interview: B. Dolan
Congratulations on the release of “The Rock Cried Out” how does it feel? Everything around returning to releasing music and touring feels very strange and surreal right now. Also, this collection of songs is highly personal to me, and was made during a very private isolated time. Dealing with the onslaught of emotions attached …
Single Review: “Away From Here” – Speech Debelle X Baby Sol
Speech Debelle just dropped a beauty of an album, “Sunday Dinner On A Monday” and one of my favourite tracks on it is this one for many reasons. The warped record playing the chords sets the tone, especially with the crackle. The beat drops in borrowing from afrobeat with the rimshot, kick and shakers. It’s …