Steve Reid - Musical Orator and Drummer. R.I.P

15/04/2010 by admin.

‘Music to me is not just frequencies, and sound. It goes beyond the physical realm. It’s like talking in tongues.’ - Steve Reid (with Four Tet)

It was Reid’s belief in the spiritual power of music, and through his undying love for rhythms, improvisation and beats which led to a three year long journey around the continent of Africa in the 1960s, and to invent a genre of music which reflected his passion known as Kozmigroov. Only Reid can state such adventurous journeys.

Only a handful of musicians can safely state that their musical contributions attributed to building the influential sounds of Motown music, and to idiosyncratic artists such as Miles Davis, Sun Ra, James Brown, Fela Kuti and of course Four Tet (Kieran Hebden), who has considered himself as Reid’s musical soul-mate.

It’s with great surprise and sadness to find out through Gilles Peterson and The BPM that the restless Reid died after a prolonged battle against throat cancer.

Check the ‘Spirit Walk’ LP by ‘Steve Reid Ensemble - one of Reid’s more recent work in which includes the electronic contribution of the aformentioned Four Tet. (Released on Soul Jazz Records, 2005) The album works ultimately as a welcoming record, encompassing Steve’s musical vision from the past to the present. It’s free-flowing music, which recalls the orchestraic andorganic sensibilites of what people today call ‘Jazz’, and draws out youthful and synthesized sounds that resonate today’s constant sonic progression within music. The two sounds collide and melt into each other coherently.

Rest in peace, Steve Reid.

January 29, 1944 – April 13, 2010

Posted in Steve Reid, Soul Jazz Records, Four Tet, Wonderful, Drum Heavy, Domino Records, 2010, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Sun Ra Arkestra - in London, UK. Got your tickets?

08/04/2010 by admin.

Under the direction of hard working alto-saxophonist Marshall Allen, the forever boundary pushing big band The Sun Ra Arkestra return to the UK for a three-day sold-out residency at Cafe OTO, in London from the 12th of April.

For those that don’t know, search for Sun Ra (May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993), a remarkable prolific composer and pioneer of music (and noise), who is often mistakenly regarded as ‘avant-garde’ free jazz. His Arkestra’s large diverse and never-ending category demonstrates that there’s something for everyone to pick from.

It’s a cop out to say this, but true nonetheless. Having musicians such as Iggy Pop, Sonic Youth, Thelonious Monk, Coltrane, Mulatu, Madlib, Lightning Bolt and Kode9 mention the space-age composer in reverence stands for something.

Sun Ra placed discipline and precision within the centre of his work and his life. His compositions entertwined with cosmic philosophy (or equations), Egyptology and messages that transcend ‘his’-story and knowledge. Sun Ra Arkestra’s pioneering acceptance of the unknown, along with combination of acoustic and electronic experimentation, both on record and through live shows continues to this day through the Arkestra.

Tickets have sold out according to Cafe OTO, but extra tickets are to be made available on the door for each day.

http://www.cafeoto.co.uk/programme.shtm

http://elrarecords.com

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Introducing: Ghostpoet

24/03/2010 by admin.

We’ve listened to this guy’s demos for a couple of years via the now-arguably ‘Ghost-town’ of MySpace and have always been into his work. Rarely within the realms of the phenomenon known as hip-hop in the UK do we find a lyricist who emits a sense of universal truth yet maintain musical accessibility. Justifiably, he has been compared to Mike Skinner.

From his smooth conversational rhythmic flow to his talented sparse melodic productions, Ghostpoet (born Obaro Ejimiwe) has caught the ears of London-based musicians and DJ’s including The Golden Silvers, Micachu, new soul singer Rox, enigmatic producer Kwes and the legendary Radio 1 Gilles Peterson to name a few. Ultimately, this has lead to collaborations between Ghost and the aformentioned. Ghostpoet has made appearances, live at The Golden Silvers clubnight and on Micachu & Kwes’ mixtape release.

Ghostpoet has kindly curated a mix for SomeThinkBlue which is available to download off his very own blogspot (click on the image below).

There’s no tracklisting but hey - that would be telling. The London-bred Coventry-based vocalist is expected to release his debut single on Gilles Peterson’s very label Brownswood (home to Jose James!) this Spring.

Ghostpoet’s MySpace

Posted in fresh, Gilles Peterson, podcast, Brownswood, Ghostpoet, music, London, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Meeting Joe Strummer: Spring 2010 Tour

05/03/2010 by admin.

Over 3 years after its inception at the Edinburgh Festival, the heartwarming and comical award-winning play “Meeting Joe Strummer” by Paul Hodson returns on a nationwide March/April tour.The play’s synopsis revolves around two men of disparate backgrounds who unite over a mutual fondness of legendary punk-rock band The Clash, more-so the band’s de-facto leader Joe Strummer - from the music to the clothes and social-political stance.


The play journeys across time depicting how the bond between them stands the test of time during the years of Thatcher’s reign, internal warfare of race and class and to the explosion of Acid House music. The two friends eventually reunite at a gig by Joe Strummer and his last band, The Mescaleros’.


Meeting Joe Strummer’ has proven to warm hearts and connect with theatre goers and critics alike for its exceptional combination of humour, wit and identification of values of rebelling, inclusion, honesty and every-man ideals that Strummer advocated during his life.



Meeting Joe Strummer - March/April Tour 2010


5 - 6 March - Unity Theatre, Liverpool 0844 873 2888 www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk


10 March - Komedia, Brighton 0845 293 8480 www.komedia.co.uk/brighton


11 March - Croydon Clocktower 020 8253 1030 www.croydonclocktower.org.uk


12 March – The Tower, Winchester www.towerarts.co.uk


13 March - The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead 01442 228091 www.oldtownhall.co.uk


18 March – Lakeside Theatre, Colchester 01206 573948 www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/artson5


19 - 20 March - New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk


23 - 24 March - Oxford Playhouse Studio 01865 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com


25 March - Carriageworks, Leeds 0113 2243801 www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk


26 - 27 March - Hull Truck Theatre, Hull 01482 323638 www.hulltruck.co.uk


30 March - 3 April - Drum Theatre Plymouth 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com


6 - 7 April - Corn Exchange, Newbury 01653 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com


8 April - Swindon Arts Centre 01793 614837 www.swindon.gov.uk


13 - 14 April - Guildhall, Derby 01332 255800 www.derbylive.co.uk


15 April - Barnsley Civic Centre 0845 1800363 www.barnsleycivic.co.uk


16 April - Harlequin Theatre, Redhill 01737 276500 www.harlequintheatre.co.uk


17 April - Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham 01329 223100 www3.hants.gov.uk



A review on ‘Meeting Joe Strummer’ by Owen Adams for The Guradian Website


Paul Hodson’s Theatre company website

Posted in Punk Rock, The Clash, theater, theatre, Uncategorized | No Comments »

The xx / Fever Ray / Richie Hawtin presents PLASTIKMAN: added to BESTIVAL 2010

18/02/2010 by admin.

Before the addition of The xx, Fever Ray and Richie Hawtin, we were convinced that Rob da Bank’s Bestival MAY contain the best line up for any festival to be held in the UK this year. Now with the addition of these three deservedly acclaimed artists, it’s safe to to say that Bestival contains the best line for any festival to be held in the UK this year. Keep the 9th - 12th September 2010 free for this…

Taken from the Bestival website…

“Staying on course to deliver the closest thing to festival nirvana this side of rock ‘n’ roll heaven, Rob da Bank and the Bestival crew are just too excited to be able to hold in the latest mega-mungus line-up announcement for our seventh outing any longer. With the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Flaming Lips, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem and Gil Scott Heron already out of the besti-bag, we have got some absolute belters joining the bill for the first Robin Hill Country Park adventure of the teenies!

Rob da Bank says: ‘OK, check this out for a triple whammy - my joint favourite band of last year The xx playing what will be a very rare UK festival appearance on our very own Isle of Wight, the audio-visual phenomenon that is Fever Ray with her ONLY UK festival this year and to cap it all one of the most important electronic wizards about, Richie Hawtin bringing his Plastikman guise to the Big Top. Selfishly these are three of the most played artists round the da Banks’ at the moment and if you don’t already own all the music get it now and get ready for September!’
Winners of a truck load of coveted accolades, including The Guardian and Rough Trade Shops’ Album of the Year, for their sublime debut album The xx will be taking the ferry to the Isle of Wight to blow you away with one of only three UK festival appearances this year that will see them baring the spellbinding lyrical interplay and evocative riffs that have deservedly made the masses fall head over heels for them. Aside from blowing us all away in the Big Top on Friday the band will also be loading Saam Farahmand’s groundbreaking, super-future ‘xx: a Sculpture of the Album’; a 3D physical interpretation of their music, into their van. Utilising film, light and sound via three specially created audio-visual units this will play all weekend in Bestival’s very own permanent cinema onsite … and you won’t see it at any other UK festies!”

The festival is to be held at Robin Hill Country Park, Isle Of Wight.

Visit the Bestival website for more information.

Posted in Fantastic, Gil Scott Heron, Richie Hawtin, Weird, Wonderful, September, Isle of Wight, Fever Ray, The xx, peace, art, music, vibrations, 2010, Rob da Bank, Bestival, Uncategorized | No Comments »

BESTIVAL 2010: Gil Scott-Heron / Fat Freddy’s Drop / Flaming Lips / Dizzee…

10/02/2010 by admin.

…/ Hot Chip / LCD Soundsystem / Chase & Status / Echo and the Bunnymen / Simian Mobile Disco / Delphic / Rolf Harris / Marc Almond / dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip / Ellie Goulding / Flying Lotus / Four Tet / Kitty Daisy & Lewis / Stornoway / Tinie Tempah / Vitalic / The Cuban Brothers / Chilly Gonzales / Beardyman / Tunng / Hurts / Nathan Fake / The Gaslamp Killer / The Vegetable Orchestra / Laura J Martin / Samuel & The Dragon…

The title says it all, really.

Click here for the full outstanding lineup for this year’s festival

Rob Da Bank, BBC Radio 1’s purveyor and selector of strange and wonderful music has finalized and confirmed the line for this year’s Bestival, and by far the line-up is without doubt…strong - to say the least.

Taken from Bestival’s website…

“Always celebrated for its outlandish programming and open-minded ethos, 2010’s edition of the Bestival story is about to unfold before your very eyes. Following up last year’s sun-drenched intergalactic triumph will be no mean feat but once again Rob da Bank and the Bestival crew have pulled out all the stops to ensure that Robin Hill’s 88 acres of leafy beauty will be transformed into an unbelievably wondrous musical paradise for our seventh heavenly outing that is set to close the festival season from September 9th to 12th. After last year’s site move about we’ve listened to lots of feedback and have decided to give the main stage a new home, plus we have a few other tricks and treats up our sleeves… all of which will be revealed!”

Please visit Bestival for full ticket info and our terms and conditions.

We cannot recommend this festival enough.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Bonobo: Eyesdown - 8th March 2009

10/02/2010 by admin.

Bonobo is back with his 4th album ‘Black Sands’ to be released byNinja Tune Records on the 29th of March, 2010. Taken from this is the new single “Eyesdown”.



Bonobo (Simon Green) has produced a remarkable catalog of songs for roughly 10 years. Generally known for his beat driven music, Bonobo’s new single takes it further. It manages to mould and intertwine a steady linear beat with warm textural melodies, swings of small distanced trumpets and airy vocals by Andreya Triana in such a spacious and atmospheric way. It immediately captures the beauty found within the gorgeous photograph that is used conjunctionally for the single (see above).



It would be effortless and irrelevant to simplify the liberating sounds that Simon Green manages to command by compartmentalizing it as being a new take on “electronic-ambient-dub-style” sounds. The preview of “Eyesdown” is below.







“Eyesdown” is to be released on March 8th 2010, precedeing the release of “Black Sands” - Some Think Blue are happy to confirm remixes of the aformentioned single are to be conjunctionally released, by beat scientist Floating Points, Bristolian-native Appleblim and relatively new producing duo - Warrior One. Tour dates are listed on Bonobo’s official website.

Posted in Ninja Tune, Bonobo, Uncategorized | No Comments »

These New Puritans: Polarizing, Doubling, Slashing.

09/02/2010 by admin.

It’s no secret that the Southend band These New Puritans led by the elusive Jack Barnett eschew from pigeonholing when it comes to presenting their overall sound. As heard from their debut album “Beat Pyramid“, their mission is to build their own inner world with regards to seemingly disparate influences, (from the prolific underground rap producer J Dilla. to the atmospheric layering of Steve Reich and sombreness of Robert Wyatt’s brass). Continuous progression seems natural and of reason to the quartet.



Their sophomore album ironically named “Hidden” stands as a testament to slashing their way through pre 21sth century habits of categorising music and sounds…literally. Consequently, it definitely makes sense to not listen to this album in relation to anyone as if they have any musical peers.



These New Puritans - “We Want War” - Directed by Daniel Askill





Extensive precise methods of foley recording along with the employment of producer and mixer (Graham Sutton and Dave Cooley, respectively), Japanese Taiko drums, plus a brass and woodwind section, a children’s choir, prepared piano - combined with TNPS’ beat and sampling sensibilities. ‘Hidden’ truly sounds like TNPS may well be the true heir to the Wu-Tang Clan and Benjamin Britten. Truly remarkable and challenging.

Posted in TNPS, Thames Estuary, Drum Heavy, J Dilla, 2010, Angular, Domino Records, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Nite Jewel + Dam-Funk = Nite Funk

15/12/2009 by admin.

Undoubtedly two of the finest producers straight from Los Angeles, Nite Jewel and Dam-Funk have had quite the successful year. Both being admirers of each others work, and similarly inspired by chord structures and synth sounds of a half-remembered past of the 80’s, one could only imagine how the two together would sound like… until now.

Nite Jewel + Dam-Funk on XLR8R TV

With help from XLR8R TV, the two finally pair as a duo completing a remarkably mesmerising tune named ‘Am I Gonna Make It’ - think dancefloor ethereal funk with a purple sound. Cole MGN of lo-fi band Haunted Graffiti assists on bass guitar duties.

Nite Funk - ‘Am I Gonna Make It’ - click to download

We at Some Think Blue adore this track, and for you purple music lovers out there, if you tuned into Benji B’s 1xtra show on the 29th November, you also know that Dam-Funk will make collaborative links to the UK via man of the moment in the ‘Dubstep’ region - Joker.

Posted in retro, los angeles, lo-fi, stones throw, italians do it better, Dam-Funk, Nite Jewel, music, colour, vibrations, MP3, producers, Uncategorized | No Comments »