Van She (2)

Here's a selection of Van She remixes that maybe haven't gained as much attention as others. I can't help thinking they're just having a laugh with some of these. One observation I made is that Van She appear to be rather nationalist with regards to the artist's they remix. Good for them, say I! Staying on the Australian tip, I also got a bonus remix of Sneaky Sound System's, I Love It, courtesy of their fellow Croc wrestling countrymen, Bagraiders. I think Palms Out Sound has got the full vocal mix up somewhere. Try sit still listening to this one.

MP3: Malinda Jackson - Fall In Love (Van She Tech Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Mandy Kane - Murder In Daylight (Van She Tech Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: The Bravery - Time Won't Let Go (Van She Tech Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Muscles - One Inch Badge Pin (Van She Tech Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Utah Saints - Something Good (Van She Remix) (Removed At Artist's Request)
MP3: Sneaky Sound System - I Love It (Bagraiders Dub Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Bad Week For Liverpool

I understood fully before moving to the Liverpool area that I would be exposed to more incidence of violent crime than my rural upbringing got me used to. That said, I was never expecting the levels which the city has experienced over the last couple of days.

On Wednesday, we had the shooting of 11 year old, Rhys Jones, in the Croxteth area of the city. Now, I'm not usually moved by events like this (I tend to put things in proportion to world events), but watching the parents of Rhys plea for information regarding the crime was genuinely upsetting. However, if this wasn't enough, I woke up today to the news that at 10:30 last night, two bouncers at a bar/restaurant a mere 100 meters from my roost, were shot, leaving one critically ill in hospital.

Although I concede that Liverpool is not war torn Iraq, it's nonetheless unnerving to know that individuals on your doorstep have access to weapons, not to mention the fact they seem willing to use them.

MP3: VHS Or Beta - Burn It Down DOWNLOAD/Zshare

John Hyde...Again?

In light of the numerous posts on the blog that concern a certain John Hyde, I'm starting to consider changing the name to: Check John Hyde or John Hyde's Available or some such like. Nonetheless, I feel pretty justified to post about him as not only does this guy churn out some rather delightful tunes, he's actually a nice guy to boot, as I found out after 'bumping' into him at the weekend. He was kind enough to send me a somewhat masterful megamix in which he stuffs the likes of Daft Punk and DFA 1979 in with Will Smith and Nirvana. Oh, and did I mention that this all happens inside of 4 minutes. Wha!?!

MP3: John Hyde - Megamix DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Ocelot

It's a fact: technology is turning our once enlarged planet into something resembling a neighbourhood. Obviously, this has it's pros and cons. Effects of events which were once considered localised now seem to impinge on individuals worldwide, regardless of location. On the plus side however, advances in communication are allowing relationships, both personal and professional, to prosper in a way never thought possible. Wildcat inspired Ocelot are a fine example of musicians taking advantage of this seismic shift in the cultural workings of our world.

I know technology is making things a little easier but how Texan Cory Kilduff and Brit Jimmy Welsh get anything done beats me. At the very least it must be nothing short of a logistical nightmare. Nonetheless, Ocelot and accompanying record label, iheartcomix, are creating something of a stir on the so called 'blogesphere'. Arresting remixes, which subscribe to the 'fuck the original' school of thought, and near euphoric production work, all make for an addictive listen if nothing else. You'll see what I mean:

MP3: Ocelot - Lo Sforzo DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Switches - Every Second Counts In Love (Ocelot Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Young Love - Discotech (Ocelot Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

More Samples?

As interesting as they are, I promise this is the last one of these 'sample' posts that will feature on Check The Availability; for a good while anyway. I wouldn't want to steal any of the limelight from Palms Out Sounds (erm...like that'd ever happen). You have to admit though, it is rather fascinating:

MP3: Chic - Soup For one DOWNLOAD/Zshare
Used In: Modjo - Lady (Hear Me Tonight)

MP3: The Sandpipers - Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls DOWNLOAD/Zshare
Used In: Mylo - Valley Of The Dolls

MP3: Ini Kamoze - World A Music DOWNLOAD/Zshare
Used In: Damian Marley - Welcome To Jamrock

MP3: Franco Battiato - Gli Uccelli DOWNLOAD/Zshare
Used In: Dj Shadow - Blood On The Motorway

MP3: Rock Master Scott - The Roof Is On Fire DOWNLOAD/Zshare
Used In: Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy, Hey Girl

Electroma

Call me old fashioned, but wasn't there a time when musicians stuck to what they knew? Come to think of it, that era has long past. I mean we've had the joy of watching Bon Jovi and Madonna display themselves on the big screen so it shouldn't really come as a surprise that Daft Punk have jumped on the celluloid bandwagon with previous effort Interstella5555 and now Electroma, the latter of which I saw yesterday.

I'm no fan of 'arty' films and being frank if this movie wasn't associated with Daft Punk I wouldn't have payed the £7.00 to go see it. Maybe it was the placebic affect of watching Daft Punk on screen or possibly my preoccupation with the impressive choice of soundtrack or maybe even it was just the beer I was drinking, but I rather enjoyed it. With a running time of only 74 minutes, a chronological storyline and of course the presence of the famous robot masks, Electroma successfully allowed me to access the notoriously inaccessible world of 'art house' cinema without leaving my infantile mind baffled by unfathomable plot lines and conceited cinematography. Here's a selection of the aforemention soundtrack:

MP3: Brian Eno - In Dark Trees DONWLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Curtis Mayfield - Billy Jack DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Todd Rundgren - International Feel DOWNLOAD/Zshare
Bonus: MP3: Daft Punk - Digital Love (Boris Dlugosh Remix) DONWLOAD/Zshare

Insomnia? Nope, John Hyde.

Perhaps it's just a phenomenon that can be attributed to the blogging 'kind', but we seem to have this untimely desire to share music that excites us, yearning to deliver it to as many ears as we can possibly attract. I say untimely, as right now it's 00:48 GMT and while most of my fellow countrymen (or rather country persons) are in bed I'm writing a goddamn blog post. Rest assure, I wouldn't be up at this hour if it wasn't for such a worthy cause.

So, I get an e-mail from fellow Liverpudlian John Hyde, heralding the arrival of his latest remix...already!!! It seems only a week ago I got hold of his Beck re-rub. Hasn't this guy got anything better to do? You have to hand it to him, he's unashamedly brash if nothing else. Perusing his back catalogue one would observe only 'household' names this guy has had a poke at: The Beastie Boys, Nelly Furtardo, Beck and now CSS. John has yet to faultier, and is rapidly making a nuisance of himself on playlists worldwide. His captivating remixes work by utilizing the essence of the original track whilst always providing the listener with refreshingly layered production and emphasized bass hooks. DO NOT MISS OUT!!!

MP3: CSS - Alala (John Hyde Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Look What Else I Found

I know this is an extremely lazy post on my part, (y'know, no flowery description of artists, etc) but in light of the most recent post concerning Daft Punk's use of sampling I thought I'd investigate a little further into the use of samples within modern music. Yes, I know they're a little obvious but I'm sure you'll agree, it's interesting none the less. Here's what I unearthed:

MP3: The Jets - Crush On You DOWNLOAD
Used In: Alan Braxe/Fred Falke - Intro

MP3: Goblin - Tenbre DOWNLOAD
Used In: Justice - Phantom

MP3: Najat Aatabou - Just Tell Me the Truth DOWNLOAD
Used In: Chemical Brothers - Galvanize

MP3: Gals & Pals - Blue On Blue DOWNLOAD
Used In: Royksopp - So Easy

MP3: Billy Squire - Big Beat DOWNLOAD
Used In: Jay-Z - 99 Problems

MP3: James Gang - Ashes The Rain And I DOWNLOAD
Used In: Fatboy Slim - Right Here, Right Now

MP3: Les McCann - Sometimes I Cry DOWNLOAD
Used In: Massive Attack - Teardrops

Daft Punk. Human After All?

I'm pretty sure that some blog, somewhere will have already done this one. It's kind of obvious I guess, bringing to light some of the samples that the now legendary Daft Punk used to create their celebrated dance sound. Some may be shocked, as even I have to admit, on first listen some do seem like direct "quotes" if you will. Does it make Daft Punk less credible? I don't believe it does. Let's not lose sight of the fact that dance music has always prided itself on taking old concepts and manipulating them to make them fresh and relevant to a particular era. I'm pretty sure there's a whole load more out there. If anyone wants to link to them please feel free to do so.

MP3: Edwin Birdsong - Cola Bottle Baby (Harder, Better...) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Breakwater - Splashdown (Robot Rock) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: The Imperials - Can You Imagine (Crescendolls) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Eddie Johns - More Spell On You (One More Time) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: George Duke - I Love You More (Digital Love) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
BONUS: MP3: Chaka Khan - Fate (Music Sounds Better With You) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Quote Of My Life Time

"I love the internet because now we have rappers who used to be gangsters and thugs telling us not to download music because it's stealing." Daniel Tosh...Genius!


MP3: Jay-Z - 99 Problems (Beirut Remix) DOWNLOAD / Zshare

Tony Wilson

It's 11.54pm and I just learned that record label owner, nightclub manager, TV presenter and journalist Antony Howard Wilson has died aged just 57. Tony was battling with cancer of the kidney however he died from a heart attack believed to be unrelated to the disease. It's unfortunate that my last memory of Tony will be his appearance on local news program, North West Tonight, campaigning to receive anti-cancer drug Sunitinib, which Manchester Primary Care Trust refused to fund. He seemed so frail, a fraction of his former self, highlighting the true nature of this devastating and all to common illness.

MP3: Susanna And The Magical Orchestra - Love Will Tear Us Apart DOWNLOAD/ Zshare

Phantom Sky

Blimey, it's hardly been 24 hours since my last post and yet here I am, plonked in front of my computer with a quintessentially English cup of tea (no saucer, mind) and an eagerness to write about music that excites me.

I'm not one of those bloggers who post daily, I'm more of the 'as and when' sort. However, when trawling through the musical quagmire that is myspace, I happened across an artist whose music rallied me into action: Phantom Sky. A native of Dusseldorf, Germany and donning a Karl Ruprecht Kroenen style mask, (which frankly scares the bejezus outta me) Phantom Sky could easily be mistaken for a French citizen if one was to base nationality on musical output. Comparisons to French musical innovators such as Daft Punk and Cassius are perhaps unavoidable yet Phantom Sky adds traces of the old skool into the blend allowing the listener to differentiate his sound from his Champagne quaffing counterparts. One to be watched.

MP3: Phantom Sky - Real House DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Phantom Sky - Electric-Dance DOWNLOAD/Zshare
BONUS: Kanye West - Stronger (Phantom Sky Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Jumping On The Bandwagon

Check The Availability has given in to peer pressure and has jumped on the Myspace bandwagon. In fact, I suppose I'm a little late on this one as there seems to be a mass exodus to competitor social networking site, Facebook. I've joined with the aim of making it easier for individuals to draw my attention to great tracks as well as allowing artists to promote their music. Please feel free to add the blog as a 'friend' at: www.myspace.com/checktheavailability.

While musing about the site, I've realised that there is a considerable lack of acoustic/folk music featured, a genre which I have a genuine affection for. Then I recalled receiving an e-mail from Norwegian singer-songwriter Sebastian Waldejer asking me to consider blogging his music. Clearly inspired by the likes of Sufjan Stephens and the late Nick Drake, together with traces of Radiohead, Waldejer takes advantage of minimalistic production and delicate harmonies to enhance his beautifully fragile voice. A pleasant alternative to the faddy James Blunts and Damien Rices of the world. New single Touch Of Soul is available now. Well worth a listen.

MP3: Sebastian Waldejaer - If I Could DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Technologic

Computers. I know, they're truly amazing bits of technology that enhance life in so many ways, but yeesh, when they go wrong they become the bain of your life. To cut a long story short, I got a virus and when I deleted the little bugger I found that not only had I deleted the virus but also part of the operating system!!! Of course, not really knowing what I was doing, fumbling around with Microsoft discs to try and re-install Windows, I made matters all the worse. Eventually, I gave up and turned to the professionals for help (IT, on Smithdown Road, for the Liverpool readership). They sorted the problem out, no worries.

A nice little surprise when I finally got my computer back was an email from Liverpool's own John Hyde. I posted his rendition of Metric's Glass Ceiling a while back after he'd garnered the attention of some major American blogs. The email contained his remix of Beck's Sexx Laws. In his own words, its "easily" his "best to date". Don't argue with the man!

MP3: Beck - Sexx Laws (John Hyde Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare