*Originally published for BBC 6 Music (13/11/11)
After Bethan Elfyn’s superb takeover of the show for the last two weeks, Tom returned from his break this morning with more of the best new streaming tunes around. As ever, he brought an eclectic mix of music to the show; from the chillwave soundscapes of Newcastle producer Waskerley Way to the folky vibes of Will Varley and the gothic electronic nuances of NY artist Bonnie Baxter, aka Shad[]wb[]x.
Joining us in the studio this week was the fantastic London-based artist Jono McCleery (with Tom, above). Since his initial airplay on 6 Music in 2006, Jono has been swiftly snapped up by Ninja Tune Records - and his second album There Is is out now. As well as talking to us about the positive reception of his new album in France and the US and his love for jazz/ improvisational styles, he admitted to a secret fetish for mastering the double-bass. This was unbeknown to us and it certainly adds to McCleery’s musical aresenal ! We played Tie Me In - one of his favourites from the new album - and we loved its jazz-snap rhythms, brooding vocals and yearning strings. Jono plays a headline show at London's legendary 100 Club on November and we wish him a storming succes.
Our Sunday morning tip from Huw Stephens at Radio One featured, he told us, the "musical hip-hop genius" of 26 year old London rapper, Mikill Pane. The heavy marching rhythms and booming chorus of his track I Can Feel It make it near-impossible to not dance to. DJ Target recommended To And Fro by the Ipswich duo De’ Vide, while Bobby Friction brought us a brash but catchy hip-hop chant called I Don’t Really Care by the London artist Menis, aka The Brown Boi. We were interested to note that Menis had been part of an Asian cultural delegation to Downing Street recently, where he met PM David Cameron. Also in attendance was Swami Baracus - featured on this Monday’s Mixtape edition of the show.
In place of session tracks this week we had two live recordings by The Slow Show - who were recommended to support Elbow at Manchester Cathedral last month by the city's local BBC Introducing show - and were recorded there by BBC Radio 2. Working in a similar vein to to the contemplative, alt-rock stylings of bands such as The National. it's amazing to think how far this unsigned band have come since their formation just a few months ago.
Tom gave repeat plays to several of his favourite tracks - including Ghosting by Secret Rivals, and All At Sea by The Peryls - while tonight's spin of the Introducing Roulette wheel turned up the Ulster quartet Seven Summits, with I Want Somebody. It came to us courtesy of Steven Rainey from Rory McConnell’s BBC Introducing In Northern Ireland programme - and our thanks go out as usual to the listeners, artists and colleagues who recommended yet another great week of diverse under-the-radar music from cyberspace.
Charlotte Krol and Tom Robinson
