26/13 - Alter Your Speech

This week my life has been enriched by two flawless mixes I found on the web.

Those who have followed my musicblogging for a long time (i.e. probably noone) would know about my great appreciation for Awesome Tapes of Africa; probably the most valuable music blog on the web. Now another of its fans has chosen some of his favourite laid back tunes from this treasure of african music and made a Slow Music Mixtape. If there's the slightest hint of sun where you are; if you have a hammock, a blanket, or simply a lawn/beach to stretch out on; do yourself a favour; throw away whatever summer hits you had queued up and download this batch. It will be better, I promise.

As if that was not enough, a few days later, Kieran Hebden and Gilles Peterson drop this monster of a session. These guys simply have the most exquisite taste in music, and I had to lay on my bed for two hours, doing nothing but listen, because after every amazing track there came another, even more amazing track. Do give it a listen, but if you don't have two hours to spare right now, you can always start with my little 23-minute list first, as no less than 80% of it is lifted straight from that revelatory mix. ENJOY.

Albert Ayler - Heart Love

Leading off with an unusually and almost impossibly catchy number from the man who's more known for aggressive freejazz. I've never heard Albert like this, with backing vocals and all, but I ain't complaining, and the solos, although quite mainstream compared to some of his more out-there work are still absolutely raving.

Willie Wright - Right On For The Darkness

The "right on" at which the drums break in at 0:40 is so cool I can hardly believe this guy self-released two albums and then more or less disappeared. This track alone should have made him a legend! Even if it is a Curtis Mayfield-cover.

William Adamson - Foggy Dew

Who is this? What is this? It's released this year, but could just as well be 40-50 years old. It's riddled with dark crawling spirits. It's emerged from an evil swamp. It has me hooked to say the least.

Rachel Sweet - It's So Different Here

Four Tet definitely used a sample of those twangy little notes in some track. But I have yet to go through them all to figure out which. I can definitely see why though. What a lovely production! Another artist I can't wait to listen more closely to. I LOVE DISCOVERING NEW MUSIC.

David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Forbidden Colours

I could continue to add tracks from that Four Tet/Gilles-mix, but I'll save some for another week and finish with a track from my own collection, to add a slight touch of originality to this list. Large flamboyant feelings perfectly matched by dreamy keyboardwork and those strings in the outro are so wonderfully dramatic.



And how good is it to re-familiarise yourself with the sound of the Pixies? It doesn't feel cramped, it doesn't feel like a tired reprise of older material. It just sounds like Pixies. Easy and natural and joyfully aggressive.