spinebox

The Different Types of Man

2007-12-23T14:34:00.000Z

We all know that modern men fall into one of 4 basic categories...but if you're anything like me you'll have trouble identifying them from their appearance alone. Luckily, recent scientific advances have allowed us to capture the theme tunes of each different breed frolicking in their natural environment. So why not study these clips and try to memorise both the visual and sonic signatures of these different varieties of bipedal primates - you may even like to try and work out which category YOU belong to.

MACHINE MAN

FLASHMAN

LION MAN

CHANGE MAN

Mantronix

2007-11-04T20:44:00.000Z

So imagine this scene if you will: Downtown Records, Manhattan NY 1984. MC Tee has just walked into his favourite wax emporium to embark on a little recording shopping, when all of a sudden his ears are caressed by an almighty bassline booming from the in store stereo. He looks up to see Kurtis Mantronik hunched over the decks. Their eyes meet. A moment is shared. MC Tee won't be buying any records today, because from that moment on - he will be MAKING records.

Mantronix - 'Bassline'

Over their 7 years partnership, Mantronix managed to progress through various styles of music, seemless blending samples, synths and breaks. And sometimes, just sometimes...belting music videos.

Mantronix - 'Simple Simon'

Mantronix - 'Who is it?' (live)

The Other Day I'm Feeling Very Happy

2007-11-03T18:50:00.000Z

The days are getting colder, the nights are getting longer and as your doctor I can offer only one antidote to SAD.

Silver Pozzoli - 'Around My Dream'

Free Culture

2007-10-19T14:24:00.000+01:00

My friend Ella brought this to my attention a few years ago, and I've found I keep coming back to it for one reason or another. Its a flash recreation of Lawrence Lessig's keynote address at OSCON 2002, on the current state of intellectual property and its ramifications on creativity and culture.

Lawrence Lessig - 'Free Culture'

Thomas Dolby & Friends

2007-10-05T12:18:00.000+01:00

Excited at the prospect of catching Thomas Dolby on his forthcoming tour (see his website for details!) I was having a browse through youtube and found some interesting collaborations. The first of which was one that had been brought to my attention before, but deserves some proper attention...brace yourselves, its Thomas Dolby at the 1985 Grammy Award Ceremony with Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder and Howard Jones!

Thomas Dolby, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder & Howard Jones - '1985 Synth Medley at the 1985 Grammy Awards'

And if you managed to contain yourself after that stunning display, theres more to come! This one was new to me, but its an interesting collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto of YMO fame.

Thomas Dobly & Ryuichi Sakamoto - 'Field Work'

Next up, a personal favorite of mine - apparently inspired by Dolby's Uncle who was a submariner who was tragically killed in a faulty submarine.

Thomas Dolby - 'One Of Our Submarines'

And finally, I suppose it wouldn't be right to write about Dolby without giving you a quick link to his most popular classic...if only to watch the awesome video!

Thomas Dolby - 'She Blinded Me With Science'

The Last Country Village

2007-10-01T21:15:00.000+01:00

Rune Grammofon have never failed to impress me - they seem to be tirelessly releasing amazing music, all of which stems from Norway. Opsvik & Jennings are no exception (well...okay, they've relocated to NYC, but they're still Norweigan and definitely amazing!) - so I was pleased to find this video for 'The Last Country Village' off their latest album, 'Commuter Anthems'. Check it, and when you've seen how right I am, go and buy it. Idiots.

Some grime

2007-09-20T11:43:00.000+01:00

Rebound X - Rhythm & Gash (picture shows Wiley, but I'm not sure he's got anything to do with this beat)

Tempz - Dickhead Ting (what a video! amazing!)

Timbaland's R n B

2007-09-17T13:31:00.000+01:00

A brief history of Timbaland Beats

Ginuwine - Pony

Aaliyah - One in a milion

Aaliyah - Are you that somebody?

Durrty Goodz

2007-09-04T23:37:00.000+01:00

Durrty Goodz (used to be Durrty Doogz) isn't the most charismatic or out there of the grime mcs, but he's full of flow. His mcing sort of traces the path from jungle through garage to grime with little ragga and hiphop reminders all over the place. It's like he hasn't taken a breath since 1992.

His T-shirt in this video advertises his pretty relentless new EP "axiom" (the cover art has come in for a fair bit of stick, but i quite like it) and his mixtape "this is my promo volume 1", despite using mostly US hip hop instrumentals, is fantastic.

George Duke Goes It Alone

2007-08-09T21:32:00.000+01:00

As I'd suspected, George Duke didn't need Stanley Clark at all. Its also worth noting that it appears this entire performance is taking place in space...

George Duke - 'Synth Solo (live)'

Old Grey Whistle Best (Warning Sexually Explicit Content)

2007-08-09T21:04:00.000+01:00

Whist I was in France recently, I indulged in a great conversation about musical excess - sparked in particular by a mutual love of Stanley Clark & George Duke's epic performance of School Days on The Old Grey Whistle Test. I'll spare you the proper introduction and just suggest you keep an eye peeled for the explicit musical foreplay between Stan & George that goes on...well throughout the entire piece actually.

Stanley Clark & George Duke - 'School Days'

The second beauty was recommended to me in light of the previous video - again from The Old Grey Whistle Test, this time Edgar Winter takes a far more onanistic approach - moving from gratuitous Arp Solo, to belting Sax solo to...well disappointing drum solo. Still, you have to admire the ambition.

Edgar Winter Group - 'Frankenstein'

Where have all the electronica fans gone?

2007-07-26T14:13:00.000+01:00

tomdacreskey (4 days ago)
aphex twin Richard D. James album was the first techno musick i ever heard. i've been in love ever since. electronica makes life beautiful.

Sidinaryt (1 day ago)
electronic sound is art...

Agressor01 (19 hours ago)
Aphex Twin is my favorite artist of all times. I listen to my collection of 480+ songs that I have of him on shuffle all the time. I never have hated any of his songs. Electronic music expresses a side of human thought and emotion that "regular" music can not.

laconic84 (14 hours ago)
hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa loser emo fuck.

Aphex Twin - On

Frontline

2007-07-21T00:54:00.000+01:00

If I could sex a song...

2007-07-16T10:14:00.000+01:00

Einstein A Go Go

2007-07-16T10:10:00.000+01:00

Four Too Steppy

2007-07-08T15:56:00.000+01:00

Zed Bias - Neighbourhood

Tubby T - Tales of the Hood

So Solid - Oh No (Sentimental Things)

Pay As U Go Cartel - Champagne Dance

Sleng Teng Ting

2007-06-29T20:20:00.000+01:00

Cutty ranks while his pal spines:

I love how serious everyone is. Exactly as it should be.

don't chat to that original hardcore shit about cut up

2007-06-28T20:12:00.000+01:00

The whole cut up thing with that Burroughs et al. video reminded me of British early 90s hardcore videos. Other stuff of the era, e.g. Coldcut who's Erik B and Rakim remix still gets played on MTV sometimes, did much the same thing. And, before that, of course there was the US hip hop stuff. But there's something about the sci-finess of the hardcore videos.

Acen - Trip to the Moon (Part 3?)

4Hero - Mr Kirk

2 Bad Mice - Bombskare

House Crew - The Theme

Towers, Open Fire!

2007-06-25T13:50:00.000+01:00

Burroughs, Gynsin & Balch get all cut up. (1963)

COULD EVERYONE STOP GETTING SHOT?

2007-06-22T22:57:00.000+01:00

DJ Luck and MC Neat - A Little Bit Of Luck (Live)

Harmony

2007-06-22T13:47:00.000+01:00

Bone thugs n harmony - Thuggish Ruggish Bone

Liquid - Sweet Harmony

Tull is in the hizouse!

2007-06-20T11:44:00.000+01:00

Got to give mad props to my little brother for bringing these beauties to my attention. These are the two most impressive visual representations of the art of Jethro Tull that I have yet seen:

"The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles"

"Solstice Bells"

Moroder City

2007-06-19T16:07:00.000+01:00

Oscar-winner, pioneer of electronic music, World Cup/Olympic theme song composer, sculptor/painter, car designer...yep, I think we can all agree that Giorgio Moroder is not just the absolute don of music, but of stuff in general. Here are some choice examples of his work that have been slightly lost in the mists of the '80s:

Madleen Kane-"You Can"

Irene Cara-"Breakdance"

Janet Jackson-"Dream Street"

Melissa Manchester-"Thief of Hearts"

rock and roll rock and roll

2007-06-14T09:19:00.000+01:00

In the spinebox, this is classical. In fact, in the history curriculum taught by spinebox schools, 1980s Jamaicans have directly replaced 1950s Americans, thanks mainly to Chaka Demus.

Chaka Demus, Tonto Irie and John Wayne - King Jammy's Sound 1985

And this is just fantastic. King Jammy studio tours (in King Tubby's studio?) with Wayne Smith smooth as anything in the vocal booth. At the very end it unexpectedly cuts to some tree branches.

Finally, King Jammy takes us to dub school. Two lessons today.

MF Doom's Day!

2007-06-12T14:11:00.000+01:00

...but this time with a 'lil Viktor Vaughn, of Vaudeville Villain

Vicktor Vaughn - 'Mr Clean'

MF Doom's day?

2007-06-12T00:11:00.000+01:00

I'd imagine we probably need some more MF Doom in here...

Calabi Yau Space

2007-06-11T22:14:00.000+01:00

The new Dopplereffekt album came out this week, and quite frankly its amazing! Heavy shades of Delia Derbyshire with stunningly rich textures, Gerald Donald on top form! Buy buy buy!!! :D

Heres a cracker from the last album - Dopplereffekt - 'The Scientist'

Ruff Sqwad

2007-06-10T15:52:00.001+01:00

I said it would be a good thing if grime artists got more back catalogue exposure. Ruff Sqwad are arguably the most compelling case. They've been consistently incredibly inventive and work well together as a group. Rapid produces most of the beats, wrapping three minute packages of fragile teeth-gritting percussion and relentless melody - check 'Anna' for the most startling example.

Ruff Sqwad - Xtra

Ruff Sqwad - Anna/Down

Tinchy Stryder -Underground

The CDs Guns and Roses 1 and 2 are out, as are solo CDs from MCs Tinchy Stryder and Slix.

Thee, Stranded Horse

2007-06-10T11:19:00.000+01:00

Yann Tambour's first full length release as Thee, Stranded Horse entitled 'Churning Strides' has just come out on Blank Tapes, and is a staggeringly beautiful listen. Singing in English and French, Yann's voice is often accompanied by intricate playing on both guitar and perhaps more interestingly, kora. Check these live performances from Point Ephemere in Paris:

I NEVER come wack on an old skool flave.

2007-06-08T20:26:00.000+01:00

The weekend is here - I gotta get mine in a big black truck, you can get yours in a six fo'... whatever it is, the party's underway.

Fledermaus Can't Get It

2007-06-06T12:17:00.000+01:00

It doesn't seem likely that Mark E Smith and Mouse On Mars would be able to form a functioning musical partnership, but they seem to have connected whilst making their new collaborative effort under the name Von Sudenfed. Allegedly the reason it worked so well is largely down to the Mouse On Mars guys being completely ignorant to both The Fall's impressive back catalogue and Mark E Smith's fragile temperament.

Italo-o-o Disco-o-o

2007-06-05T12:38:00.000+01:00

There's a veritable feast of Italo Disco Electro mixes on DMP's Site. They're all worth a listen, and there's even some John Carpenter tracks chucked in for (extremely) good measure! Check the 'Unofficial Italo Disco History' for more details on what you're getting yourself into. To get straight to the nitty gritty visit the downloads page. And if you're still unconvinced, wrap your eyes around this:

The Flirts - 'Passion'

Ever been to Forest Gate?

2007-06-05T12:33:00.000+01:00

I haven't. It's in Newham, East London, "official host of the 2012 Olympic Games", and Newham Generals, named after the local hospital, live there.
The Generals' Frontline, produced by Big ED, I think in 2004ish, is one of the best grime singles ever and D Double E (the second guy) one of the most sonically exciting, and distinctively grimey, MCs.
Like a lot of grime artists, they sit on a massive back catalogue of independently, or never, released material. They're signed to Dizzee Rascal's Dirtee Stank records so hopefully they'll get the exposure they deserve, without being ripped off by a major label. It would be great if that could happen to a lot of grime artists. Wiley, for example, is so chuffed with the royalty-splitting album deal he's struck with Big Dada that he called his first single for the label 50/50. I've posted it below.

Newham Generals - Frontline

Wiley - 50/50

Alchemists of Sound

2007-06-04T13:26:00.000+01:00

The Radiophonic Workshop formed in the 1950s at the BBC and was responsible for some of the finest sound design and music you could imagine. This lovely documentary was aired on the BBC a few months ago and makes for fascinating viewing!

part one / part two / part three / part four / part five / part six / part seven

The Golden Days of MTV2

2007-06-03T10:57:00.000+01:00

If you insisted on watching MTV2 at every waking opportunity in 1998, you'll probably be strangely familiar with the following videos...

Devo - 'Whip It'

Primus - 'Winona's Big Brown Beaver'

Ween - 'Push The Little Daisies'

if we used to be friends its cos i used to have time

2007-06-02T13:12:00.000+01:00

(Taliban) Trim has left Roll Deep. His new CD, Soul Food, is out and he's about the best MC in Britain. Factually. In this freestyle his slurred, abstract style fractures some pretty starightforward grime instrumentals (both produced by Skepta). Sometimes when Trim MCs, he's just talking.

When he's just talking, he's got stories to tell. Trim goes to Ayia Napa...

"I went with Roll Deep for a week and certain people were getting chased with bottles by N.A.S.T.Y Crew. I’m in my bedroom, people knock on my door and say your bredrin’s been stabbed, so I come out and this girl’s outside shouting in my face, so I pushed her away. Two minutes later, somebody from N.A.S.T.Y is around the corner on his moped trying to drive into me on a 50cc. I jumped off my moped and we started swinging, but we didn’t really hit each other because it’s a drunk thing. Then I see this big guy standing there with cane rolls, so I thought fuck this, so I went into my room, come out with a shank to defend myself. I’m outside and surrounded by four guys and then I hear sirens, so I run to stash the knife. Then the police come and this girl runs over to the police and gets me arrested. The police took my passport off me, bruv. I was stuck there in Ayia Napa for about five months trying to get back to my own country by boat or whatever. I was raving for five months, bruv. I had to pay £1,500 to get it back. I’m not allowed in Greece and I’m never gonna go back."

Oi Buster, its Saturday...lets watch Turtles II

2007-06-02T11:37:00.000+01:00

Continuing the film theme, here's another couple of classics penned especially for dubious quality films. Phil Collins wrote 'Two Hearts' with Motown legend Lamont Dozier for the classic 80s crime-comedy 'Buster'. Yet more evidence (if you needed it!) that Collins has been using his Midas touch to grope up anything he could get his hands on.

This second clip is concrete proof that any pop star can be promoted with a little seamless integration into the plot of a sequel. Vanilla Who? F**k it, just get me the flexidisc off that packet of Frosties...

Johnny 5 is a twat

2007-06-01T11:35:00.000+01:00

Here's a couple of those classic '80s celebity cameo movie tie-in music videos. In both cases, great songs (El DeBarge and Michael McDonald), pretty weak films (Short Circuit and Running Scared):

Let's go crazy!

2007-06-01T10:59:00.000+01:00

Here's a selection of Prince-related ephemera from the '80s.

Firstly, Prince's protegees, Apollonia 6, who appear in Purple Rain:

Prior to Prince's discovery of the beautiful Apollonia, the group were known as Vanity 6, and fronted by this lady:

The above track was produced by Jesse Johnson, guitarist for Prince's Minneapolis cohorts The Time, who also had a few solo hits, including this beaut from his excellent first album:

Of course, in The Time, Double J backed up the absolute Don (and real star of Purple Rain IMO) Mr. Morris Day. He sadly never had the solo success that he truly deserved, but one look at these videos will leave you in no doubt as to his legendary status:

Right, as this post rapidly spirals out of control, here's Mazarati, original home of bad-ass Revolution bassist Brown Mark (whose own solo album is not hugely recommended btw):

Sheila E, one of the most talented musicians ever to back up the Purple One, with a particularly Paisley-esque solo number from 1985:

And finally, the wonderful Wendy and Lisa with one of their many excellent solo (or duo I suppose) tracks:

Roger Linn's Drum Machines

2007-06-01T09:13:00.000+01:00

There was a lovely documentary about Roger Linn on BBC Radio 4 the other day, tracing the importance of his Linn Drum Machine. You should be able to listen again on the BBC website until sometime next week so don't sleep on it!

Honey, I'm still free...

2007-06-01T00:05:00.001+01:00

We all love synths, and everyone knows Abba invented the modern pop song. But what if these two elements combined? And what if they were then performed in a hilarious video, complete with a totally inappropriate ragga jungle interlude? Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes upon the (admittedly a teeny bit gay) world of Erasure's "Abbaesque" project.

Frank Zappa - Keep It Greasy

2007-05-31T23:54:00.000+01:00

Yes, the song is awesome, but see how long it takes you to work out what they're singing about.

Who dat?

2007-05-31T14:16:00.000+01:00

Rapping about rapping? Check. Thomas Dolby on the production tip? Check. Casual turban and leather trousers combo? You best believe that's a check! Hell yeah, this is Whodini with an absolutely classic old-school gem from the golden age of electro. Just don't make the mistake this writer made of paying over the odds for an original vinyl copy of their album. Let's just say that they were probably more of a singles band.

Def Does Doom

2007-05-30T12:16:00.000+01:00

Heres a small snippet of a Mos Def sound check where hes doing a quick run through of 'Rainbows' off Mf Doom & Madlib's awesome 'Madvillainy' album.

I'm Your Man

2007-05-30T10:31:00.000+01:00

Check this bizarre video for Leonard Cohen's song 'I'm your man' off the album (and now documentary) of the same name. Made by the National Film Board of Canada it seems to meander loosely around the song as well as adding some oddly distracting Foley sounds. I've no idea what Leonard's involvement with the project was but I can only assume he must've loved the end result!

Knuck if you buck

2007-05-24T13:26:00.000+01:00

Southern University marching band blast rap brass loud.

They play three songs:
1. Fabolous - Breathe
2. Crime Mob - Knuck if you buck
3. Lil Scrappy - Head Bussa

There's a lot of this on youtube. Head Bussa seems a big marching band tune.

In terms of original versions, Knuck if You Buck is by far the pick of these tunes for me. Spooky, and hype.

Alva Noto

2007-05-21T12:24:00.000+01:00

Carsten Nicolai released his first Alva Noto album in quite some time earlier this year. 'Xerrox' - available now on Rater Noton - is a truly beautiful album well worth picking up. Theres no shortage of his other work available to watch online though - a nice starting point is the animation 'Spray' which deals with "the problematics of speed , the vision of utopia and the dissolution of our ideas into fragments ...speed of data-flow is equivalent to 　the speed　 of our time. in an era when virtual products　of our ideas are expanding , we are simultaneously positioning a calm point in which to settle ourselves"

However, since the landmark release of 'Vrioon', his first album in collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto of Yellow Magic Orchestra fame its been hard to separate the two names. Check out this clip - 'Berlin' from 'Insen' - their second album together to see what all the fuss is about!

Otis Redding / Sam and Dave

2007-05-21T10:08:00.000+01:00

Pure fire. I love Stax soul - the horns, the relentlessness. Always seems a little bit too fast.
The first two clips are Otis Redding on 60s British telly programme Ready Steady Go. Otis is amazing and I swear music TV never has that kind of energy anymore. Imagine this on Popworld, with those two presenters doing sarcastic half laughs and wrapping themselves up not knowing whether what they're saying is ironic or not.

This clip has the wacked out 60s titles then Otis Redding performing Satisfaction (which he kills), My Girl and Respect

This one has I Can't Turn you Loose and Shake (Shake is the na na na na na tune from the titles of part 1 and Here Comes the Hotstepper)

If the horns on those tunes weren't bad enough, and Otis Redding didn't shake enough, see this clip of Sam and Dave performing Hold On, I'm Comin' (this clip is realy quiet by the way).

Scotch Orchestra

2007-05-19T15:37:00.000+01:00

For the last few years now, Shige Ishihara aka Dj Scotch Egg has been entertaining crowds armed only with a bullhorn, some effects pedals and several gabber infected gameboys. As co-founder of Brighton's Wrong Music label his fanbase has been growing fast and even helped him remain in the UK when his student visa expired by starting the 'Save the Scotch Egg' petition online. Below you can check out a video for 'Scotch Bach' (dir. Steven Glashier) off his most recent album 'Scotch Hausen' available now on Wrong Music/Adaadat.

Empire State Human

2007-05-18T11:39:00.000+01:00

The original line up of the Human League (before Marsh and Ware did a runner, prompting Oakey to replace them with two school girls...) released a couple of belting albums. 1979's 'Reproduction' is a dark affair with strong Kraftwerk leanings and no shortage of analogue action from a Roland System 100 amongst other things.

Following Marsh and Ware's departure - which subsequently resulted in the formation of Heaven 17 - Oakey was able to take the group in the pop direction he'd always been gunning for since he was invited to join. Oakey went on to bang out classic pop anthems with the new Human League, but arguably his greatest moment was in collaboration with synth wizard Giorgio Moroder for the soundtrack to the 1984 film 'Electric Dreams'.

by the power of love!

2007-05-18T11:26:00.000+01:00

Here's everyone's favourite effete, bob-sporting He-Man Adam of Eternia hymning his love for long-lost sister Princess Adora (aka She-Ra), whose vocal contribution seems particularly post-coital. Killer tune even without the incestuous overtones.

Anderson & Kuti

2007-05-18T11:18:00.000+01:00

To some people the very idea of wandering minstrel and salmon-farming country squire Ian Anderson jamming with Afrobeat pioneer and political firebrand Fela Kuti might seem vaguely preposterous. However, as those in the know will tell you, from "Living in the Past" through "Four Wheel Drive" and on to their recent rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", Jethro Tull have always been a genuinely funky-ass outfit more than capable of laying down ball-busting grooves with the best of them. Anyway, here are these two musical giants cutting some serious rug alongside Glaswegian Strange Brewmaster Jack Bruce.

things are hotting up...

2007-05-17T15:17:00.000+01:00

Undoubtedly, Paul Weller's finest hour was in the Style Council...you only have to watch him punting down the River Cam to forcast a 'Long Hot Summer'

Saxon Sound

2007-05-17T13:11:00.000+01:00

80s English dancehall was fantastic. It's not really something that gets much press - doesn't really get written into the pop histories of the NMEs, MOJOs and Wires and isn't what Tony 'Greatest Nation' Blair's boasting about- but is some of the best music to come from Britain, particularly the Saxon Sound affiliated stuff, released on labels like UK Bubblers and Fashion.
Proper bright, dancefloor music.
Read all about it.

Smiley Culture - Cockney Translation (Polydor 1984/Fashion 1985)

Papa Levi - Mi God Mi King (Taxi 1984), Interview and Saxon Posse

Smiley Culture - Police Officer (Fashion 1985)

Saxon Sound System on TV (1985)

Heatwave - 'England Story Mix'
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