"You're just my leeeetle sack of potatuhs."

"Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?" - (Lennon/McCartney - 1967)

Our good pal in Berlin (via Dublin) DJ Wool has another release out. And I'm pretty fucking wild about it. Sounds like he's been in Berlin for a bit, if you ask me. It drops tomorrow, June 28th on Beatport, go grab it. You'll be glad you did. Here's the vid:




Hot on the heels of the Das Shadow and Broad Bean Band releases, the new true-blue MONOlith label/collective known as We Collect Enemies hits you across the back with another banger by a brother under another name.

DJ Wool (AKA one 3rd of the originators of the WCE clique) has been on a tear for the last year with non-stop remixes, singles and new material for his group The Glass. Here he is with yet another feather in his cap, this time under the ID known as The Dark Snuggler!

Described as a "techy and breaky club banger" with hints of Detroit and bass, he's aiming this inaugural release at a bullseye on a target that exists in a place between fidget house, techno and dare we say, old school hip-hop? Whatever it gets described as, it bumps and clouds the dance floor like a smoke machine on auto.

With remixes by Lars Moston (Moston & Malente), Boeoes Kaelstigen (Adrian Recordings, Sweden) and Jetlag (collab. between The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke, yes THE Smiths and Russian/NYC DJ Ole), the release promises to pack lots of pop for the price coming from your pocket. A definite natural disaster in these days of earhquakes, oil leaks and volcano eruptions courtesy of the kind people over at We Collect Enemies. The 'Detroit' inspired video hits a youtube near you real soon...

‘The Dark Snuggler’ will be released exclusively on Beatport on 28th June 2010 and other download sites from 12th July.

HEART BEAT MIXY

Hey, so about a month and a half ago, myself and good pal, the venerable Dj Fordinho took on a new Friday night at the Hifi club. It's been unbelievably fun and such a fucking shit show. Here's the linky to the Facebook group. We loved the first few nights so much, that we decided to do a mix every 6 weeks or so, and here's the first one:

The Heart Beat - Vol. 1




I think it turned out super well, and it was a blast making it. So cop that shit and blast it wherever, whenever, and above all, always.

Let's have a nice time.


Tracklist:
RITON & PRIMARY 1 - RADIATES
DISCOTECH - IMMIA
IN FLAGRANTI - EX EX EX (GOLDEN BUG REMIX)
ROYKSOPP - WHAT ELSE IS THERE (VITALIC REMIX)
PABLO DECODER & TIM HEALY - ECHOES IN MY HEAD (ALEX GOPHER REMIX)
RITON & SEIJI - COMPUTER JUICE
THE MARTIN BROTHERS - DUCKFACE
JAMTECH FOUNDATION - TOO FAST
MIKE MAGO - WOOH! (MALENTE REMIX)
CIREZ D - ON/OFF (SEBASTIEN LEGER REMIX)
CHEMICAL BROTHERS - IT BEGAN IN AFRIKA
SMASH HIFI - TAKE YOU BACK
ZOMBIE DISCO SQUAD - EUROVISION (MOWGLI REMIX)
SMALLTOWN ROMEO - LOVE TEMPO (MALENTE REMIX)
TOM STAAR - 4 MORE 4 ME
THE YOUNG PUNX - JUICE & GIN (RIVA STARR REMIX)
FLORIAN KRUSE & NILS NURNBERG - LOVERS N FIGHTERS (DJ MAD SKILLZ REMIX)
LEFTFIELD - PHAT PLANET
KEVIN SAUNDERSON - GOOD LIFE (MATTHEW JONSON REMIX)
ROBERT OWENS - BRINGING DOWN THE WALLS

This week:

You could maybe say some of these photos are irrelevant, but a) Sometimes youth just wins. b) The ELO/Avedon belly button portraits is one of my favorites! c) Faces are on Every Picture Tells a Story. I digress!  

Listening: I've been listening to lots of full albums, which makes me happy. Sometimes you don't crave a whole album, but its such a treat when an entire album makes it for you.

- Exile on Main St, the Rolling Stones; I can only listen to this album during the day. It reaps the full effect.
- Cut, the Slits; Similarly, I can only listen to Cut when its dark. Its really jovial and fun, so perhaps it would make an awesome daytime album, but its equally quick and sleek vibes make it an ideal nighttime record.
- All Things Must Pass, George Harrison; First, who else is beyond excited for the Martin Scorsese-helmed doc on this wizard? I'm so ready! All Things Must Pass is, alas, another album I associate with hot fun in the summertime. I open my windows and play the whole damn thing. This is not something I do often, as its such a hefty album, but in the summer, I crave it. The first disc remains my favorite, but you've got to go for the goal! Play the whole damn thing! Open your windows, and mmm, lap up this scrumptious weather. (Unless, of course, you leave in a location not quite as illustrious as southern California. In that case, come visit!)
- Blood on the Tracks, Bob Dylan; So in my mystical near-slumber daze, when I think of the most illustrious ideas and have the best thoughts, I started thinking about the way Bob Dylan says "honey baby" in "Buckets of Rain". The next morning, I woke up, rolled over, queued up Blood on the Tracks, and of course, opened the windows! A most desirable morning, I promise you. His well-versed emotions, ranging from those delicate coos matched with his scathing fury on songs like "Idiot Wind", make this album so wondrous and captivating. Honesty, its so refreshing. I don't think I'll ever tire of his stark and defenseless tone on this album.
- A New World Record, Electric Light Orchestra; Okay! I will never deny my passion for ELO. In fact, I will go so far to say that this album is one of my favorites! "Tightrope" is so exciting, followed by the brilliant "Telephone Line"... You've got "Livin' Thing", "Do Ya", my favorites (after "Tightrope", "Telephone Line", and "Livin' Thing") "Mission (A World Record)" and "Above the Clouds". Pure ELO-embroidered perfection. Its whimsical and fun!
- Every Picture Tells a Story, Rod Stewart; This is essentially a "stray cat blues. Guide to Summer Listening"! More will perhaps unfold as the summer progresses. Goodness, I love this weather! Its not yet blisteringly hot, and its just perfect. I sat outside without a sweater this evening, and it makes me so joyous! Anyway, this record is made for summer. The mood, rollicking and serene, mmm. I read an interview where Izzy Stradlin described it as "that Maggie May feel", and I know just what he means! The title track, "Tomorrow is a Long Time", and "Mandolin Wind" really capture that mood for me. Its irresistible; how can anyone be unhappy to this record?
- My obsession with How the West Was Won continues. This week I'm really into the magical, lilting take on "That's the Way". Its something about the live acoustics, leaving the song so wonderfully spacious and atmospheric. Its so expansive, and just open, welcoming. I've worn the studio version to bits, and this allows a reawakening of sorts with one of my all time Led Zeppelin favorites.
- So uh, you know how I said I wasn't gonna listen to The Joshua Tree again? I lied. I've grown to really like this record. Granted, I skip the first three tracks (FM radio plays them enough), but the rest has become an outstanding work to me. Instead of feeling lame because U2 is such a fun band to dislike, I'm glad I broke that barrier for myself. Lesson: don't judge! Listen! Oh and, its a GREAT record to clean to. I slaved over my entire space this weekend and The Joshua Tree kept me going.
- I also said I didn't like Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake too much, another lie! I've grown to like this one a lot too. "Afterglow" is my very favorite, and I've been playing it heavily. Listen and enjoy. Its magnificent. I'm certainly hopping on the "Small Faces don't get nearly enough credit" train.

As for singular tracks...

- "Straight to Hell", the Clash; Its lauded as one of their best, and while I don't really agree, I think its an interesting tune. Its the Clash doing something they've never done before, and I always respect that.
- "I'm Not Down", the Clash; A true anthem of perseverance. Mick's vocal performance is utterly convincing, with the Strummer-penned lyrics proving to be limitlessly inspiring. I was in a nasty mood the other day, this came on, and I decided, "Fuck that! I'm not down!" Alas, these are the types of things that motivate me.
- "Charlie Don't Surf", the Clash; One of my all time Clash favorites. Its just mesmerizing. Heavy rotation, once more. I love.
- "Try a Little Tenderness", Otis Redding; One of my favorite songs ever. Difficult but true, the words that Otis rhapsodizes remain the truth. Just think about it, you're much more likely to get your way if you come at it gently and kindly. But isn't this often the biggest challenge?! Sometimes I just want to yell, and demand, because I feel like I'm obligated to get some things. But alas, we find no one truly owes us a damn thing. Try a little tenderness.... His fiery performance makes me think I can.
- "Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed", Thin Lizzy; I really don't think I need to say much more. I've been listening to the Live and Dangerous version, mostly - even though it is in fact dangerous, its only partially live. Still love it, and particularly Phil Lynott. An icon.

Reading and watching STILL don't apply - but I've got a hefty summer reading/watching list. Oh, June 17th, you can't come soon enough! (But, actually, stay away for now. I've got waaaay too much to do.)