SBTRKT - War & Drums (Live at Reading Festival)

I am definitely excited for the new SBTRKT album, "Wonder Where We Land", which is due for release in the UK on 22 September. If I could pinpoint what I found so exciting about SBTRKT in the first place it was the live show. When I saw it a few years ago it was him and Sampha, which really worked. On SBTRKT's first album Sampha provided a good deal of the vocals and in the live environment even in the tracks where other vocalists were featured, such as the Jessie Ware track "Right Thing To Do", Sampha's beautiful vocals added another layer to the live performance. It will be interesting to see what the live show will be like this time around as the second album features a much wider array of vocalists and Sampha is now a much more established artist in his own right, but it is great to note that they did appear together at Reading, but with what looks like additional members adding to the sound. SBTRKT performed at the Reading & Leeds festival this weekend, and this track particularly caught my attention! It features the vocals of Warpaint. The track itself has a beautiful soundscape quality to it. The actual words are pretty hard to make out. It kind of reminds me of something I'd expect to hear from Bat For Lashes in that it has quite a psychedelic/worldbeat type of feel to it, mixed with some other worldly-type synth sounds. The thing about SBTRKT that makes him stand out in live performances is the frenetic energy on stage, whether that is his accomplished drum playing or what looks like a mad-rush as people try to work the electronics! Both elements can be seen quite clearly in this wonderful performance. I will catch the live show on October 2nd at Brixton Academy and I can't wait!

The British Class Club Night - 28th August, The Amersham Arms

http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/London/Amersham-Arms/The-British-Class/12239444/ Only 8 days to go until the launch of The British Class club night! I have been creating some new tunes that I will be playing on the night. I think that is one of the ways I will be paying tribute to the artists that have inspired me. It's a great coincidence that the new album "Junto", from my favourite British act of all-time Basement Jaxx will be released on Monday 25th August. Expect to hear quite a few tracks from that! Another album I have been streaming this week is Royal Blood's debut album. They are definitely an act who I am rather excited about. I can't wait to see how the power and force from the album will translate in the live setting, with only 2 people! Surely they must have that unknown person who hangs in the shadows as a "touring member". British music: A seminal dance act and a new exciting rock acts have new albums released on the same day. That is The British Class!

Kele - "Doubt"

Kele Okereke, lead singer of Bloc Party, who is one of my musical heroes will return on 13 October 2014 with his second full-length solo album, which is called "Trick". The first offering heard of the new album was premiered on Steve Lamacq's 6 Music show. The track is called "Doubt". If you have heard any of Kele's solo work, you'll find something reassuringly familiar about "Doubt". The first thing that drew me into Bloc Party's music was Kele's voice, which always sounded best on songs of longing and regret. There is an intimate quality to it, yet I have seen Bloc Party play such venues as the cavernous Alexander Palace with over 10,000 people and there is no doubt that Bloc Party were festival/big-crowd pleasers. From there Kele's solo stuff has (obviously) maintained his voice, but accompanied with some great dance beats. Often the best tracks of Kele's have a UK garage skittering type feel to them and Doubt is a good example of this. As well as the UK garage element, there's a cool deep house bassline underneath. But it once again is the voice that is the most important element, retaining that beautiful quality. Steve Lamacq talks about Kele's songwriting ability having a wonderful balance between an almost raw honesty, in combination with sounding ambiguous at the same time. It leaves a listener to draw their own meaning and poignancy to the lyrics, which is not always something that you can say with dance and electronic music on a regular basis. Anyway, "Doubt" is another great piece of work from an artist who has been so important to British music in the last decade in my opinion.

Imogen Heap - Run-Time

Today (Monday 18th August 2014) marks the release of Imogen Heap's fourth album "Sparks". In the UK it is released on her own label, Megaphonic Records, in America it is released on RCA Records. I became aware of her work when "Hide and Seek", from her second album "Speak For Yourself" received publicity. That vocoder sound on that track is both mechanical and moving; it sounds like a robot's lament! You may be more aware of it as the chorus was sampled on Jason Derulo's "Whatcha Say". "Sparks" was started off when 900 sound samples were sent in by fans. My favourite track from the album is "Run-Time", which was initially started off as an app collaboration, that would change music as you run. I think there's something about the way the music moves in "Run-Time" that you can feel that element. The track starts instantly with a burst of 80's dance energy (that initial burst you get as you start run), the verse begins with Imogen's great voice (like when you settle into your pace) and when the chorus starts up again there is that shot of dance energy coming back again! The breakdown feels like the bit you are struggling, before you are once again re-acquainted with the catchy chorus. There is an additional minute or so of music at the end, which is a complete departure from what has coming before. There's a sound build-up before it breaks out into another 80's style dance-type rhythm, but one which is different to the first. If I was to describe it I'd say it was the type of thing that was found on La Roux's first album. I love the video too! In it Imogen Heap wakes up, walks around, frequently breaking into some funky dance moves. That is a very simplistic review, but if you check out the video you'll be drawn in by the freedom of movement and the scene at the end where a crowd is just dancing in unison.

It was only by the third time I had listened to the tune and stopped dancing around to it that I actually focused on the lyrics. It is one of the happiest break-up songs of all-time! From her point she knows they are breaking up and you'd sense that her partner does too, But there seems to be an agreement that they should do it now, before it gets too acrimonious. The chorus is a perfect illustration of this;
"You know we've had it good, we've had it bad, so no hard feelings.
We've done all we could and all again. I’m done pretending.
Let’s quit while we’re still friends."

I think the elation and freedom of movement that is shown in the video goes perfectly well with the song, highlighting the freedom and relief that the subject now feels about being single, after a relationship has turned a bit sour.

 "Sparks" is a great album. Pieces have been heard over the last 3 years, but now it is released as a full work. It continues the trend that Imogen Heap has for creating eclectic music, that makes you listen, but still can make you get up and dance, as found in "Run-Time".

New Cross Music Crawl/The British Class - 28th August 2014

New Cross Crawl/The British Class by Johnni Lightning on Mixcloud

On Thursday 28th August 2014 at 9.30pm at The Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road, London, SE14 6TY it will be the launch night of The British Class club night! This will be the after-party of the New Cross Music Crawl, which will be an amazing night of music. So to celebrate and promote this I have composed a 30 minute mix. Here's some details: Track 1: Billy & The No Mates - "Dreadnought" - One of the acts that will feature at the Crawl. A garage-rock/jams band. Track 2: Soundacity - "Mama Aura". This group is based in London, but their music is a fusion of Colombia, Andean music, nature, rock and digital sounds. Felipe Duarte will be performing an acoustic set on the night. Track 3: Edit/Select - "Palm" - This band will be concluding the Crawl at The Amersham Arms. They are an alternative/indie band from SE London. There is something uplifting about "Palm" which made me want to highlight it on this mix. It then segues into... Track 4: Basement Jaxx - "Where's Your Head At" - They are the band I have watched in concert the most. They are such a great example of British music. So diverse, so much energy. If you have caught them live, you'll know that this track is a real energy moment! Track 5: Audio Bullys - "We Don't Care" - There's a punky attitude to this track, in a similar vein to "Where's Your Head At?" I love the delivery of the vocals. Track 6: The Prodigy - "Breathe" - If you're going to make a mix of British music, you need The Prodigy! They're another act who have such an amazing live performance. "The Fat of the Land" was the first album that Keith Flint provided vocals on. It was also their international breakthrough album, reaching number 1 in America. Track 7: Plan B - "Ill Manors Remix" - Plan B in my opinion is the greatest British rapper of all-time. And an amazing singer. "Ill Manors" is amazing, but The Prodigy remix adds a little extra to it. Track 8: Boy Better Know - "Too Many Man" - So many times this is a sentiment I've felt in the club! The fact this track has a great sense of humour with a banging beat makes it quintessentially British! Track 9: Calvin Harris - "The Girls" - There is a kind of Benny Hill feeling to this track, the way the different types of girls are listed. But it's an example, when British artists do tracks about getting lots of girls, it's done in a playful way! Track 10: Cooly G - "What Airtime" - Highlighting the fact Britain has superb female producers this track is off Cooly G's Hyperdub album "Playin Me". The way I'd describe this track is dark UK funky. Track 11: Jessie Ware - "Running (Disclosure Remix)" Jessie Ware is one of those singers whose wonderful voice seems to have been featured in so many places recently, including on Disclosure's "Settle". I have a soft spot for Disclosure as they grew up in Reigate, like I did. Plus they make amazing music! So there it is. An explanation of my mix. The British Class launch night will be a great night. Make sure you come down to The Amersham Arms to check it out!

Shystie featuring Jalissa - "Stop"

Shystie has a new track that will be released on 14th September. It is called "Stop", is produced by Deanyboy and also features the vocals of Jalissa. If you are not aware of who Shystie is, and if you are outside the UK that may well be the case, she is an amazingly talented and beautiful female rapper, from Hackney, London, who in the past few years has branched out into modelling and acting. There was a point in the mid 2000's where after the success of Ms Dynamite it felt as if Shystie was going to be the next British female rapper to become a commercially successful artist. She was on the major label Polydor and released "Diamond in the Dirt" in 2004. The album was certified as silver (60,000+ sales in the UK) and produced one top 40 single, "One Wish", but that isn't really what Polydor searches for. She has popped on mixtapes, had a fight with Azealia Banks (shocker!), but "Stop" feels like a proper return. The tune has a 90's rave vibe to it. That is provided by utilisation of a sped-up drum sample of James Brown's "Funky Drummer", sampling the bit that begins at 5:35 of the tune. It has been used countless times, with my favourite being in LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out". The best thing about this particular bit of the sample is that it provides a driving backbeat, which can be manipulated by the instrumentation to sound hard or soft. In "Stop" the sound is 90's rave as it features a prominent piano chord rhythm, with a great sounding bass. Then there are Jalissa's vocals, which are also 90's sounding, particularly the repeated refrain "Wait a minute", which is repeated in a way that you often hear in those rave tracks. Shystie rhymes with a determined flow, as she always does. It seems as if she is giving words of words of wisdom to a friend in a difficult situation in a take no prisoners fashion. The track is on Radio 1Xtra's C-List at the moment. But there is a vibe to it that makes you think it will be a commercial success the more people become aware of it. As I said before it's great that Shystie has returned in full and shows she is great!

Submotion Orchestra - "City Lights"

I was first made aware of the merits of Submotion Orchestra when my brother made me aware of their second full-length album "Fragments". They are a 7 piece band who were formed in Leeds in 2009. Their website describes their sound as "a fusion of bass-heavy electronica, jazz, soul and much more besides...", but it's the three elements mentioned that most clearly shine through in their work. They are a phenomenal proposition live. I caught them on their last tour at Koko and it is definitely in that arena that they most clearly shine. They are about to release their third album, "Alium", on November 3rd. It will be released on Counter Records. And a November tour around Europe will follow. The song "City Lights" is a great taster for the sort of thing Submotion Orchestra do. The female vocals, provided by Ruby Wood, are beautifully delicate and heartfelt, capturing the feel of a city, illuminated only by lights, after the chaos of the day has passed. The beat that accompanies her vocals has a broken-beat/jazz type feel, in the fact the beat has snares that are staggered. It's a sound that is often found in the dubstep that Magnetic Man/Benga came out with. I love the way it feels as if it shuffles along, but in a smooth way. The instrumentation is quite jazzy, as in most of Submotion Orchestra's work and there is a trumpet solo that is best described as classy towards the end. To be fair, that's the way I'd describe Submotion Orchestra in general on record. But I'll re-emphasise, when they are live they bring another dimension of danceability to their music. Can't wait to catch them live in November!