Baraka – Psycho

From the Psycho EP, the French duo Baraka are Cristofeu and sa+ga who do an excellent job of blending 90s aesthetics, trance, trip-hop, acid and cool vocals. Baraka, whose name means Lucky Star was formed in 2020 just before the world went into lockdown. This one of those records that works equally on the dance floor and driving down the freeway with top down.  Modern and retro all in one enjoyable thundering mix. 

Oh, Rose – It Takes Time To Love Me

A couple of music aficionados in the Pacific Northwest have prompted me to keep a look out for Oh, Rose. It Takes Time To Love Me from their LP, Dorothy definitely caught my attention. This outfit hailing from Olympia and Portland has the clear intent in making agreeable music. I mean that as a compliment in that they do not venture off to self indulgent territory. This is Olivia Rose, Liam Hindall, Vin Christopher and Stephen Smith’s first album in five years, Rose says she sees the LP as its own quilt – both sonically and in terms of the slow and methodical process of making the album. “I always said the album was going to be a love record”, says Rose. “The title is named after my grandmother, an expert quilter, this record is emblematic of the love I shared with her.” Very cool sleeve artwork, too. Dorothy comes to us via the capable Antiquated Future Records imprint out of Portland, Oregon.

Felicity Cripps – Werewolf

My advice on this one, don’t be deceived by Felicity Cripps’ seemingly almost, breathy vocals,  here is what she has to say, “Making this record was a form of escape from the everyday throes of life – not that anything was bad, but it was a difficult time to navigate work, motherhood and relationships not only with my loved ones but with myself,” She adds, “Without those days making music and sitting in the studio with my husband, Nick, working and reworking the ideas in my head, I would have really struggled to find my sense of self again. This record was vital, hopefully not just for me, but for others also.” The album, Chasing Volcanoes was created over four years by the Melbourne-based artist, during that time she gave birth to her first child. Listen to the songs here, carefully.

Crackazat – Can’t Blame A Soul

Originally from Bristol England, Ben Jacobs aka Crackazat is a multi-Instrumentalist and electronic producer now based in Sweden. Known for his Jazz and House mixes, Crackazat now takes on the South African genre, 3-Step. Indulge in this superb production, samples, beats and a driving rhythm that just won’t quit. Top marks!

Joshua Idehen – Mum Does The Washing

It’s been quite a few years now since we first came across a lovely fella by the name of Joshua Idehen. Since those early days Josh’s numerous releases have always made their way to LEM. Sometimes he is part of a combo, sometimes on his own, every so often it’s a collaboration and you can guarantee each offering with Joshua Idehen’s name on, no matter if he is singing, rapping or dazzling us with his spoken word performances, we are in for a first-class, top-notch, brilliant treat. The esteemed Mr. Idehen is back with Mum Does The Washing, Josh’s poetry is matched with the music of Ludwig Parment. “We are loving in a world where we do not agree.” Says Josh, “This is about the flaws of various ideologies, the world according to your mum, doing the washing. I’m aiming to unite the audience through music, the power of humor, language and love when speaking across differences.” Joshua Idehen has a very special place in the history of LEM and Life Elsewhere – the Talk Show, he has been a guest on many occasions, so it’s with great enthusiasm I’ll welcome Josh back soon for an extended Zoom conversation. Look out for details, meanwhile go over to Life Elsewhere, type in Josh Idehen to hear our previous conversations. Full marks to Josh and Ludwig 10/10.

Hidden Eyes – Not Now, But Soon

Hidden Eyes – Two Dots

Oh my! Two cuts here from Dylan and Lou a brother and sister duo out of the East Midlands in the UK. I’m so impressed with Hidden Eyes. There is something about their earnestness coupled with a wonderful ability to make singularly cool music that captured me immediately. “We make homemade music and leave it here in case you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by!” They write. We reached out to Dylan and he tells us, “We’re a sibling duo living at opposite ends of the UK (I live in Cambridge and my sister Lou is studying in Glasgow). Lou played guitar and sang in an awesome band called Throw Like A Girl! so when I started making songs during the pandemic I asked her to sing on them. While we’re both at university I record all the instrumental parts in my bedroom and get the lyrics ready, so when we meet up at our parents’ house we can get all Lou’s vocals recorded. Thanks to her the songs end up coming together really nicely. Hopefully the listeners regard the lo-fi homemade sound as a feature rather than a drawback”. Both the cuts we selected are from their latest LP, Not Now, But Soon. Lovely evocative sleeve photo, too. A huge thumbs up for Hidden Eyes.

Peter Perrett – Disinfectant

I could and perhaps I should one of these days write a testimonial to the importance of Perrett’s Another Girl Another Planet.  Yes, much has already been written about The Only Ones revered song. It has been on my “Top Five Best Songs Ever List” for years. I can never ever get tired of hearing it yet again. Of course the compelling lure was/is Peter Perrett’s South London drawl. Since the original release in 1978 numerous fellas from all over the world have had a go at emulating Peter’s voice. Thankfully, the man is still with us and at 72 his distinctive voice is in fine form as realized on the latest single Disinfectant from the LP, The Cleansing. Here we have Perrett snarling and defiantly uncompromising making the rock ’n’ roll song legions of wannabes would love to have just a tiny morsel of the man’s swagger. “They say love is a disinfectant…so I washed the hurt away.” You can believe Peter’s eyes are burning right through you behind the dark shades. Legendary!

Heka & Saint Jude – In Your Garden

Francesca Brierley aka Heka is a multi-disciplinary artist, songwriter and producer based in London who says “In Your Garden was inspired by a poem by Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio…it’s about two lovers as they walk through a pine forest in the rain, progressively morphing with the vegetation around them, and experiencing the elation both of their growing feelings for each other and for the communion with the nature they are immersed in.” Having carved a name for herself in the underground indie scene over the last few years, Francesca Brierley’s work spans far outside the conventions of music. In Your Garden is available on Slow Dance Records out of London

Anna Erhard – Botanical Garden

Anna Erhard – I Wish

I am fascinated by Anna Erhard, the Swiss born, Berlin-based musician is an artist to watch for. Botanical Garden is from her album of the same name. This jaunty song as with many of her recordings belies deeper, serious topics. Anna’s array of video are stunning and somewhat unusual in that they are perfectly appropriate for the music they accompany. Also, Anna tackles a variety of styles with an assured confidence that comes across as natural and dare I say, sincere. Associates who have seen her live performances report Ms. Erhard is definitely worth searching out her next gig near you. Delightful.

Hence – We Like this Tune because It’s Longer And We Love To Dance (Ming Remix)

The two agreeable chaps of Hence, Daryl Bamonte and Knuth explain this one, “The single is an instrumental homage to all of those fleeting sound fragments we wish would go on forever—starting way back from the first 12 seconds of ‘Big Muff’ by Depeche Mode.
This line of thinking led us to release ‘We Hate This Tune Because It’s Too Short And We Love to Dance.’  It’s a little sonic landscape where, in the middle of a concert, the conductor  interrupts by shouting, “We hate this tune because it’s too short and we love to dance!” We now follow this by satisfying the need for the full version, hence ‘We Like This Tune Because It’s Longer And We Love To Dance”. To learn more about Hence pop on over to Life Elsewhere to hear my conversation with Daryl and Knuth.

Photo by Maggie Leander “Housing project, Kiev, Ukraine” 2024 36” x 36” digital print on treated paper. Courtesy of Norman B’s collection