COVID: 19 Records I Rinsed This Year

Today marks my one-year anniversary with COVID. One year ago today, the president was addressing the nation on the TVs in the Radio Humber studio as I was in the middle of Bump In The Hump, receiving countless messages about the NBA shutting down. Of course, our lives were all in for a major change, staying inside and isolated more than ever before. Luckily, I've always revelled in staying home and immersing myself in music. However, I quickly found a limit to my ability to enjoy an endless stream of new music, realizing I needed to mix things up in order to keep myself entertained. And that's where this list comes in.

Like a sonic rinse cycle, these nineteen records (single tracks and full albums) were my most go-to palette cleansers in this most unprecedented of years. The range is ridiculous as you might expect and entirely unintentionally, features music made prior to the millennium. Many of these records I first encountered this year, while a handful of others became much closer to my heart as I enjoyed them more immensely than ever. They were and, in many cases, are still literal obsessions of mine. What it is that makes them so special ranges from heartening lyrical content to incredibly catchy vocals or just plain, undeniable energy. I can't tell you how many times I sang along to these in the shower, used them to tear up a hill on my bike or danced to them as I did the dishes. Hopefully, you too can put these records to good use. Find the Spotify playlist below and note that it features the original album tracklists, rather than the extended/deluxe types that are part of the list of links after the jump. Enjoy!

• B-Movie - Nowhere Girl (Extended)
• En Vogue - Don't Let Go (Love)
• Kate Bush - Cloudbusting
• Matt Bianco - Whose Side Are You On
• Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party
• Paul Simon - Rhythm Of The Saints
• Pete Townshend - A Little Is Enough (Live)
• Pete Townshend - Empty Glass
• Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush - Don't Give Up
• Quincy Jones - Birdland
• Sam Spence - West Side Rumble*
• Steps Ahead - Islands
• Steps Ahead - Praise
• The Cardigans - My Favourite Game
• The Housemartins - The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death
• The Psychedelic Furs - Heaven
• The Rezillos - Can't Stand The Rezillos
• The Traveling Wilburys - The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1
• Third World - Try Jah Love

* indicates record not available on Spotify

Jimi Needles - Fun Time

Bristol-based freestyle DJ and drummer, Jimi Needles has been busy since the lock-down took hold. This weekend marked the release of his 3rd EP since mid-March and the 2nd in his Nifty Digits series. This new power pairing sees him take on Musical Youth and their classic "Pass The Dutchie" as well as Paul Simon and "You Can Call Me Al." The latter, renamed "Fun Time," sees Needles dive headlong into a monstrous mashup of funky glitch hop, reggaeton and DnB. Featuring bits and pieces of the 1986 classic, it's hard not whistle or sing along, while the new jacking foundation screams forward. An instant injection of energy, the mixture of elements may be dizzying, but they are indeed a fantastic fit, especially in the moments where Bakithi Kumalo's timeless bass run breaks through the ether. The new vocals, paired with a couple call backs to the original, give "Fun Time" a fresh and indeed enjoyable feel. Make it yours for free via Hypeddit here and get both of the Nifty Digits EPs via Bandcamp.FOLLOW JIMI NEEDLES: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Flying Themed Tunes

Today I'm off to see my mom's side of the family in the settlement of Thunder Bay, the remote head of Lake Superior. Thankfully I'm flying, but that leaves little time for bloggin (although I believe I'm achieving that offline, as I cruise above the clouds). So while I jettison towards my destination I'm going to compile a list of tracks including keyword fly. And for fun I'm including tracks electronic and otherwise. (Compiling offline and will update with links when I get the chance). Spotify playlist below.

Throwback Thursday: Switch - I Still Love You (feat. Andrea Martin)

For this week's installment of my Throwback Thursday series, it gives me great pleasure to reintroduce the world to the raw, breathtaking beauty of one of the most organic, soulful, heartfelt and unforgettable vocal performances ever, courtesy Andrea Martin. Its allure is only amplified by Switch's smooth and stunningly beautiful production. The 2011 Dubsided release, "I Still Love You," (which of course is still the way I feel about this decidedly distinguished track) shouldn't remain dormant much longer.

I can still remember hearing this for the first time on Annie Mac's official start to the weekend on BBC Radio One. However I can't decide what captured my attention more, Andrea Martin's unfathomably awesome voice or the rumour that Annie floated out there, saying that Martin had recorded the main vocal in one take, in Switch's kitchen nonetheless. While that rumour obviously magnifies Martin's earth-shattering performance, it remains incomprehensibly and overwhelmingly angelic, regardless of the rumour's validity. Martin's voice bares all of the raw imperfections that accompany heartbreak, and the glaring incompleteness of a spurned lover. It is that combination of the clearly organic, heartfelt flowing of her voice with the harrowing lyrical content, that make the track so formidable and utterly timeless.

Obviously, Martin carries the track with her unforgettable performance, but it is my assertion that Switch's supportive production is the key to this perfect composition. I'm not sure whether it's the subject matter, or the music, but I'm always reminded of Paul Simon's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover." Playing the two back to back, the similarities in musical tone and percussive elements are unmistakable. Both are refined and understated, allowing us to become cocooned by the tremendous lyrical webs they spin. Of the dozens of remixes Martin's performance spurred, I can't say any come close to the original, as they inevitably end up fighting the vocals or simply crumbling under their incredible weight. Only Switch's well thought out and carefully crafted production truly allows Martin to shine. Furthermore, Switch, and his original production, add incredible depth with the supportive vocals samples, ooh-ing and ahh-ing, embodying the lost partner. Mirroring the lyric "I need you to succeed," it truly is the supporting vocals that "make [her] life complete."

SUPPORT ANDREA MARTIN: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
SUPPORT SWITCH: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER