The Future's Bright...

The Time and Space Machine album: Coming soon on Tirk

The debut album, 'The Time and Space Machine', comes out on Tirk in March. Details here and here.

I Want A Soundsystem Like This...

Roscoe Revisited

The Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve mix of Midlake's 'Roscoe' is to get a limited edition vinyl release this month courtesy of Nottingham's 'Is It Balearic?' label. The vinyl run will be limited to 500 copies, and will be in one sided, etched 10 inch format. Surprisingly the track has never been out on vinyl before. Order it here, quick before it disappears forever.

Life In Asia

Being driven round Milan at high speed last year, I was somewhat soothed by the FM radio show that was blaring out late that Friday night. The show was called 'Life In Asia', on Lifegate radio, and was hosted by Italian actress and director Asia Argento. Asia's selections were spot on, and her beguiling  voice drew me in to a world that is totally her own. I found links to many of the shows here; there's a lot of themed stuff (music for films, Elvis) and a few guests (Ladytron); it's always interesting at the very least, and is sometimes totally mesmerising radio.I was even going to ask her to record some spoken word passages for the new Time and Space Machine album, but didn't get round to it. Maybe next time... 

Got A Spare Week Or Two?

If so, may I direct you to ubuweb. It's a site that has endless spoken word archives, from beat poets to Dali interviews, a massive video archive and tons of essays on art and culture. A phenomenal resource. Addictive!

Currently Listening To....

On a Sunday. In no particular order...

JJ, 'Ecstacy'

Holly Miranda 'Waves'

Small Black 'Despicable Dogs'

Django Django 'Storm'

Andrew Weatherall 6 Music Hogmanay show

Starlings 'Sirens'

Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve 'Door To Tomorrow'

Brion Gysin '3 Permutations'

Silver Columns 'Cavalier'

Pharao Black Magic

Washed Out 'New Theory'

Bryan Ferry 'Alphaville'

John Cale, 'Paris 1919'

Gatekeeper 'Visions'

Galactic Ramble

Don't know if you've seen this, but Galactic Ramble is one hell of a reference book for late 60's/early 70's UK vinyl spotters. Over 3000 albums are reviewed, alongside NME, Melody Maker etc reviews from when the albums came out. It's a classy piece of work, with a wide range of UK albums covered, from the rarest Vertigo swirl to the most out-there freakbeat and acid folk, plus all the big names fully covered as well. Many previously looked over works are re-appraised (second Mighty Baby album anyone?) and some rare-as-hen's-teeth albums are given their true worth (ie heavily overvalued). Great reviews, top tens, colour sections, vintage adverts and the like. Pure joy for the bespoke vinyl lover. More about this excellent work, which is priced at £30, here.