3 AM

If this song would be released a little earlier this year it could be one of those which would accompanied many during the summer. Harry Rodrigues Bauer aka Baauer from Brooklyn released this track in collaboration with a British MC and an LA-based singer. Just rapped words over a steady beat with afro-caribbean ingredients make this song worth listen.

Alone In Fear

The recent days I was informed that The  Lucid Dream, one of the leading figures in UK psychedelic from Carlisle, will release their upcoming fourth album in October. Their sound was always a mixture of Acid House, dub and cosmic Krautrock. Their new single is a techno-punk inspired little monster. Of course you can hear that they learned by Underworld's Born Slippy but you can also find elements of Primal Scream. And the singer sounds like an angry John Lydon in the days of Rise.

Hot August Night - Again

It was decades ago when I met my former wife when we agreed to a lot but we were always different in our musical taste. I was the one who had open ears for every new kind of music and she was rooted in the the jazz-funk-fusion scene. It was hard to agree to some artists that we both liked much. One evening we found one of a few solutions we could both listen with joy. It was Neil Diamond - don't be upset, but I like his live recording a lot..He might be named as a Schlager singer from the USA but for me he has a great voice. With his baritone he makes every song very unique. I remember a few evenings when we listened to his live album and we enjoyed it much. After all these decades I should stand for this record. A small masterpiece in it is way.

Neil Diamond - Solitary Man
Neil Diamond - I Am I Said
Neil Diamond - Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon
Neil Diamond - Cherry, Cherry

Sweet Dreams

During the mid 70's until the early 80's Split Enz the New Zealand rock band formed by Tim Finn were successful in their native country and Australia. I remember the times when I was bored about most of popular music in the mid 70's and was looking for something new. My local record dealer introduced me to Split Enz and Second Thoughts. It was recorded in London an produced by Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera. It was handmade and well arranged music and totally different to many other artists in this decade. Before punk appeared they were one of those few bands that made the difference and I think many bands were inspired by their sound. XTC and Godley & Creme have many influences by Split Enz. And their outfit/performance like in this video were far ahead of their times.

Wild Wild Wild

From time to time I take a walk back into the very old days of Rock 'n' Roll and Rockabilly and sometimes I find something new in a very old style. This happened when I listened to Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis. And the name is program - she's the youngest sister of crazy Jerry Lee Lewis who gave us the most intensive rock performances in the early 60's. Fulks produced a nowaday interpretation of rollicking piano style to her voice. Even if it is based on country or R 'n' R these songs are able to take you back to decades long gone by.

Banker's Hill

A few days ago I listened to El Ten Eleven a Los Angeles based indie-rock duo that make a remarkable sound to me. As far as I know they are for a very long time in business and released several albums during the last years - but none came to my ears until now. Their latest album Banker's Hill is filled with song they constructed with their instruments in real time using just bass or guitar and drums, along with numerous looping devices and pedals without keyboards or pre-programmed instruments. In the best times I can hear Stuart Adamson's guitar playing. A clear, rhythm and warm sound. New and worth to spent a few minutes to listen to.

Return To The Valley Of Rain

Back in 1985 Giant Sand released their first record Valley Of Rain a forgotten nugget of Americana music. Howe Gelb showed his talent on writing songs on this album. Many artists look back to their first record with a smile and often they deny their early days. Gelb took the other way and played the whole first album live in a club in Austin. The result is a superb country/Americana album. The songs are played faster and the guitar is more dominant than before. I saw them live a couple of time long time ago and this albums shows well that they are live much better than in a studio.