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 will forever evoke the spirit of a certain aspect of the 1980s. Big hair, discos, flamboyant clothes; for all the diversity of that decade, there’s undoubtedly a distinctive sense of…
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…
01/01/2019: “Hear My People” by Landslide
Hospitality Records is now one of the most renowned labels in Drum & Bass. But although it is now firmly a D’n’B label, in the…
31/12/2018: “On The Road Again” by Canned Heat
“On The Road Again” has an impressive lineage. It’s to be expected, given singer Alan Wilson’s deep knowledge and involvement with the blues world. The…
30/12/2018: “Reckless (12″ Version)” by Afrika Bambaataa and Family featuring UB40
Afrika Bambaataa was one of the leading figures in the creation of hip hop, but he has produced a lot of music in a variety…
29/12/2018: “1969” by The Stooges
The 60s was one of music’s most prestigious decades. So much innovation, a cultural revolution, the music of the youth. That’s part of the reason…