The Music Liberation Front Sweden – And Other Stories

Here we have less of a band and more a collection of musical misfits starting from a seed set in the early 80s. The brainchild of a British born avant-guard-krautpop-multimedia-anti-musician gaining the Swedish moniker whilst living in Malmö Sweden in the late 90s. Originally hailing from Portsmouth England, with many of the songs being crafted from looped jams/field recording and at times taking up to 20 years to form shape. Often re-using their previously released movements and then re-sampling, re-imagining, vocalizing them into new parts. The collective relocated to Berlin, Germany at the start of the 20th Century. And Other Stories is from the album, Le Beat Route on Static Disc Records out of Tokyo. 

Quiet Houses – Carried Away

Quiet Houses are Hannah Elliott and Jamie Stewart a handsome duo from Edinburgh on Lab Records out of Manchester. Carried Away is from their EP of the same name where they smartly showcase first-class songwriting skills and musicianship. Do not overlook Hannah and Jamie I predicting we will hear more from them. Lot’s to enjoy here. 

Dubkasm x Tricky – Concrete Flower

As a producer and a musician, Tricky is noted for a dark, rich and layered sound and a whispering lyrical style. Culturally, Tricky encourages a togetherness of societies, particularly in his musical ensemble of rock and hip hop, high art and pop culture. A truly seismic Bristol sound clash is served up on Concrete Flowers, a new collaborative production from Dubkasm and Tricky. A heavy steppin’ production from Dubkasm and Tricky gets laced with Tricky’s inimitable vocal delivery and lyrical flair, taut strings and sparse melody build the tension in this potent single. Concrete Flowers and its remixes shine a spotlight on Bristol’s unrelenting pool of innovative talent and creativity in 2024, available on the False Idols imprint.

Marta & Tricky – When It’s Going Wrong

A new release from major talent, Tricky prompted me to search out this tasty cut from 2023. Marta Złakowska a Polish vocalist started her career when she happened to meet visionary musician and maverick Tricky, in November 2017. When It’s Going Wrong is from Marta’s arresting album of the same title, produced by Tricky. Marta embraces a broad emotional spectrum with each song reveling in its own little narrative. The pointed minimalism of the title track is staggering in its vulnerability, Marta’s tender vocals backed by only a hand drum and low guitar notes. Marta says she remembers that moment when Tricky turned to her in the studio and quietly said: “You don’t make the music, the music makes you”. Another excellent False idols release.

Inca Babies – Ghost Mechanic Nine

Manchester musician, Harry Stafford has been on my radar for quite a while, here is Mr. Stafford fronting his band Inca Babies with Ghost Machine Nine. This is the Manchester band’s 9th album available on Black Lagoon Records. Always in fine form, Harry Stafford is up front on vocals, guitar and keys with the very able Rob Haynes on drums and percussion, equally qualified Jim Adama is on bass and Kevin Davy plays trumpets. There is a fun documentary you need to check out here. A big round of applause for that rockabilly rumble Inca Babies serve up so well. 

Joe Aaron-Jones – Sorrow (feat. Liam Bailey)

London- based keyboardist, composer and producer Joe Aaron-Jones known for his involvement with Ezra Collective amongst other combos, gives us the boundary-pushing Sorrow from the EP of the same name. Liam Bailey is featured on vocals on this version. Joe Aaron-Jones blurs the lines between bass-heavy dub, contemporary club culture and his background as a pioneering force in the modern jazz scene. Gentle hip-moving is mandatory. 

Alison Eales – Through Hoops (The Leaf Library Remix)

”Oh my knuckle-hearted twin…” sings Alison Eales on Through Hoops. “The song is about tensions inherent in friendships between people who are almost too alike” she says. There are 6 versions here on London’s Fika Recordings featuring improvised flute by Diljeet Kaur Bhachu. Delightful.

Barzin – Home Is A Photograph

I know Barzin, so when he writes, “Given the current state of the world, which shows no sign of improving, talking about one’s musical work can feel somewhat indulgent—a little like Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned—so apologies if this comes across as tone-deaf.” I know just how sincerely Barzin is with his modesty. The Toronto artist goes on to say, “I wrote and recorded this track several years ago and have been chipping away at it ever since. With the help of Nick Zubeck, Marito Marques, Karen Ng, and Allison Au, it finally took shape, and I decided to release it.” Then Barzin, of proud Persian heritage says, “This song is inspired by the theme of home, and a longing for a place that only exists in the imagination. I dedicate this song to the 1.9 million Palestinians in Gazawho have lost their homes due to forcible displacement by Israel, many of whom may never be allowed to return.” Do watch the video Barzin created for Home Is A Photograph with haunting photographs graciously provided by Pegah Rahemian. Along with his own releases, the talented musician has also collaborated on production work with gifted artist Set Feux, and composed a soundtrack for the film The Shadow of My Life by Hajar Moradi. I know Barzin – how fortunate is that?

Anna Ferrer – Elle Paupa Com Vol

Catalan singer and musician, Anna Ferrer’s album, Parenòstic is a treasure. She sings in Menorquн, the local language, akin to Catalan making her music evocative, alluring and poignant. Parenòstic translates to a portmanteau that fuses parenostre (our father, i.e. He who art in Heaven) with pronтstic, a Catalan word for prognosis or prediction. While, Elle Paupa Com Vol is interpreted as She Pouts As She Pleases. An exceptional collection of songs, some almost minimalist in arrangement, not to be overlooked.

Neuclouds – You Made A Miscalculation

We introduced Neil Hill to you under the moniker Shopfires. Here then is one of Neil’s side projects, Neuclouds with You Made A Miscalculation. There is something so charming about the Leicester-based artist’s work, do yourself a favor and visit the Neuclouds back catalogue.

Confuse – Orasion

Hailing from Marseille, France, self-taught musician, Christelle Canot says the intimate tracks for her LP Confuse started as pure poetic expression but evolved into a cohesive work thanks to meaningful connections. Each song reflects a loved one, creating a mosaic of interpersonal relationships. Christelle uses the name Confuse as well as the title for her LP. Confused yet? She has a cool video for Orasion. Confuse is on Rescue + Return Records.

Sev Ka – Birds

“I am not a person of words I seem to be more fluent in the language of birds” sings, Seweryna Dudzińska, aka Sev Ka. The Polish artist based in Glasgow says she takes influences from Eastern European folk music and confessional lyrics to enchant and disarm. And a fine job she does. Curiously ethereal and haunting. Lovely cover photo by Seweryna Dudzińska.

Joshua Idehen – Could Be Forever

If you don’t have a least a few cuts from Josh Idehen in your collection then you better get a move on, the talented fella is constantly working on collaborations as well as his own releases. Could Be Forever is from his Mum Does the Washing EP. Here is Josh in fine form with gorgeous backing vocals from Sharlene Hector, Naomi Pilgrim, Anna Karlsson and Ellen Wingård. I honestly wish you could spend time with Mr. Idehen in person like I did a few years back, his spirited, irresistible demeanor is a rare quality our awkward world could certainly use more of.

Andy Bell – I’m In Love… feat. Dot Allison and Michael Rother

Hands up if you remember Andy Bell of Erasure fame…OK…how about I’m In Love With A German Film Star a delightful single from 1981 by The Passions*? If you answered yes to both questions, you have got to have been around for a few years. Andy has a new album, Pinball Wanderer and from it he gives us a 4 track EP which he’s titled, I’m In Love… Perhaps you could remind me one of these days to search out a recording of my conversation with Andy Bell circa the early 90s, t sounds quite remarkable now, but at the time Andy Bell was one of the first pop stars to come out and back then, there were non-stop headlines about the shock and horror of being gay. I remember, when I asked Andy about his decision to announce publicly that he was gay, Andy was bravely nonchalant about his sexuality and suggested people just deal with it! Andy Bell was charming and certainly anything but hostile, he said he was speaking on behalf of his brothers and sisters who were having a difficult time in a world that still did not entirely accept homosexuality…a remarkable conversation with a lovely talented artist. 

Avi C. Engel – Bones Beguiling

Bones Beguiling is from Toronto-based Avi C. Engel a cut from her intriguing LP, Nocturne (Soundtrack For An Invisible Film). “I’m not writing the same song over and over so much as writing one long continuous song that will end when I die,” says Avi “I started recording Nocturne during a spell of sleeplessness and depression, and finished as I was emerging from it. It began as an attempt to soothe my own mind, and I share it with the hope that it might soothe other minds as well, or at least offer an interesting distraction.” A fascinating collection of songs, play very loud in a candle-lit room, sipping Absinth. 

The photograph is by Wendell St. Armes 1971 – 2021 “Mailbox with cup and saucer” 1999 Kodachrome print on poster-board 21” x 23” courtesy of Norman B’s collection

*To all smart Trainspotters, I mistakenly called the authors of I’m In Love With A German Film Star The Pastels, of course, I meant to say The Passions. Apologies and thank you for listening carefully.