“Spanish Bombs” refers to two things. First, there is the Spanish Civil War. Joe Strummer is praising the anti-fascist struggle and remembering the martyrs. It…
Month: January 2019
10/01/2019: “Satisfaction” by Carl Dawkins
Carl Dawkins is one of the many figures in Jamaican music who never really made a lot of money despite being a relatively important figure…
09/01/2019: “Jazz Carnival” by Azymuth
Azymuth are still going today, which is great. Set up in 1973, they play a funky Jazz which takes a lot of inspiration from the…
08/01/2019: “Brown Paper Bag” by Roni Size and Reprazent
Roni Size is a huge figure in the history of Drum and Bass. As part of the Bristol collective Reprazent, he released innovative, hip-hop inspired…
07/01/2019: “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany
This song is an 80s song. There’s no getting around it. Along with songs by Bonnie Tyler and Cyndi Lauper, this sort of power tune…
06/01/2019: “Rough Rider” by The Hygrades
The Hygrades are were a Nigerian funk outfit in the 70s headed by Goddy Oku. His instrument of choice is the guitar, and with his…
05/01/2018: “Never Fade Away” by Phaeleh
Phaeleh is classically trained, which shows when he makes music. There’s a certain sophistication to proceedings, definitely. Hailing from Bristol’s electronica scene, like Massive Attack…
04/01/2019: “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin
This song was the last song Janis Joplin recorded before her untimely death aged 27, October the 4th 1970. It was done in one take…
03/01/2019: “Don’t Delete The Kisses” by Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice are one of the most feted new English bands. Their second album, Visions Of A Life, was released in 2017 and won the 2018 Mercury…
02/01/2019: “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” by Jay Z
A song from the 1977 musical “Annie” is not the most obvious inspiration for Jay Z. But after he heard the hook, he decided it…