Skydrips a live DJ act from Berlin, Germany teams up with artist and musician, Kris Berle for a nice gentle hip-swayer, Keep An Eye On You. They say, the song is a dialogue between the Moon and The Earth as a way to find a deeper meaning in life. Sounds fair enough. The other side is equally as good. 

Hyroglifics – Hotwire (ft. Liza Jane)

Staying in a subdued rhythmic mode we head on over to the English west country city of Bristol where it does seem that a massive amount of cool releases emanate…Matt Harris aka Hyroglifics know for his drum ’n’ bass outings gives us a selection of grime, hip hop, techno and ambient with debut album, I’ll Wait, I Guess. About the theme of his LP, Matt says, “I believe that good things happen with time, however, I also wanted this album to depict the realities of waiting for something and how seemingly hopeless it may seem at times”. And, we are advised that the album download includes mobile phone wallpapers. Nice.

Lwendo – Season And Love

Out of South Africa comes multifaceted artist, Lwendo with his self-titled album. With Season And Love, Lwendo makes it clear he isn’t mimicking anyone, instead setting his own unique style. Tasteful, competent work going on here.

Mike Gale – Summer Be Gone

As this one was playing I had to reread the accompanying promo notes a couple of times, ‘cause I thought, perhaps I was listening to the wrong cut. The Southampton-based artist says this about Summer Be Gone, “It’s loosely based around my dislike of the hot summer months and how I prefer being cocooned inside while it’s dark and cold outside. I’m not really a fan of crowds, so I appreciate winter and the way there seems to be more space between folks in that season”. Now that sounds at odds to me as this lilting song unfolds. But then, Mike Gale adds, “I’m naturally introverted and have never enjoyed being onstage in front of people, so performing live was always my least favourite part of making music. Now I’m solo I feel no pressure to perform live at all, maybe one day but for now I’m happy.” So, it’s not all doom and gloom with Mike, although I suspect giving him a kind smile on a hot sunny day may brighten his mood, a little.

Fred Abong – Father

The name Fred Abong has popped up so many times over the years while listening to alternative and indie music. Fred began his musical career in the 1980’s on Rhode Island as a drummer, bassist and guitarist in various hardcore punk bands. Then he spent the early 1990s playing bass for Throwing Muses and then Belly. Later he put music as a profession on hold for academic pursuits, earning a PhD in Humanities and serving as a professor at various universities for eight years before returning to music. Apart from his work as a solo artist, Fred Abong is also currently bassist in the Kristin Hersh Electric Trio. Now Fred has a new solo album, Fear Pageant on Seattle’s Disc Drive label. We selected, Father for this volume, it’s a reflective song in keeping with the theme of this LP. Don’t overlook this one.

Wreckless Eric – The Old Versailles

I’m so pleased to have spent many hours in the company of Eric Goulden, better know as Wreckless Eric, in part because he is a very funny man, full of dry British sarcasm, but Eric is also a brilliant observer and commentator on our topsy-turvy world. His latest album, Leisureland is Eric at his Wreckless best, that is to say, this is a serious rock ’n’ roll record, his heritage, his passion, his love of a pounding good riff are all here. Turn The Old Versailles up way loud and then pop on over here listen to our recent conversation. An honest work by a lovely geezer.

Eyes Of Others – New Hair New Me

Eyes Of Others – Safehouse

Now here is an album that took me by surprise. I started listening, then realized I had taken in all the songs without stopping. I was captivated by the somewhat adventurous, very cool and large hints of dub carefully mixed in this production by John Bryden who goes by the moniker, Eyes Of Others. This fellow out of Edinburgh has an LP packed to the brim with intelligent songs and says, “My profile, my face is pretty irrelevant in many ways,” and continues, “I feel Eyes Of Others gives more opportunity to shape-shift within the music, to become something beyond myself.” You’ll understand why I have included two cuts.

Clara Kent – The Juice

Oh, and now a song from an album I think is impeccable. Clara Kent has an amazing voice. She writes important and emotive lyrics. This exceptional talent out of Pittsburgh deserves 110% of your attention. I’m crying, I’m swooning with emotion, I’m grinning like a Tom cat who just discovered a succulent treat. This is so damn powerful. Do not hesitate, put The Four Winds: East on repeat play and allow Ms. Kent to work her inescapable magic. 

Pyrex – I Want Love

A curious name for this trio out of Creswick, a small town situated in west central Victoria, about 122 kilometers northwest of Melbourne. Instead of going into a long anecdote about the name, Pyrex I offer you this edifying information. The Noise For No Reason EP from Pyrex is satisfyingly competent as you’ll hear with I Want Love. Formed in 2021, I’m going to keep a watchful eye on Pyrex.

Barry Can’t Swim – Dance Of the Crab (Extended)

We have played the delightfully-named Barry Can’t Swim on the show before, understandable as he makes fine music. Here the London-based, Scottish artist offers us gorgeous electro nuttiness wrapped in ethno-grooves to full effect. Barry, (who maintains he really cannot swim) straddles genres from deep house to jazz, from ambience to the percussive charge of afrobeat. The Extended version of Dance Of The Crab should have you doing a tasty overt bum-wiggling around the kitchen, and of course, singing along.

Swiss Portrait – Before

Here is another bloke from Scotland, Edinburgh to be precise. It’s artist, Michael Kay Terence who selected Swiss Portrait as his stage persona. Michale says, “I have a DIY approach and record and produce all my music in a tiny spare room”. Michael makes gorgeous music, despite the disquieting title of his LP, The Crippling Pain Of Happiness. Before moves along at an interesting pace at the same time, I’m listening intently to the lyrics. A big thumbs up.

Artwork by Norman B “James sitting in a circle” 2009 35” x 35” digital print on treated card. Courtesy of Norman B’s collection