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.

Istanbul 2

Had a great time in Istanbul, thanks to everyone involved at undomondo for sorting out the trip. Had great fun hanging out with some great DJs/bloggers/promoters, including the great Turk/funk/psych DJ Baris K. Check out his Beats In Space mix here and watch out for his edits coming on vinyl.... I was also introduced to this guy on the link here - check him out! Apparently he things nothing of playing all night, at an intensity level shown in the video. I mean, look at that AK47 guitar! Apparently if we all shout loud enough he'll come and play in England, so is anyone up for it?? Let's start a campaign... (PS I can't embed this on the blog as Youtube is banned in Turkey and the link has been disabled. Either it's that or I'm a dumbass who can't work his computer properly...)

Istanbul This Weekend...

I'm playing in Istanbul this Friday and Saturday. Any suggestions of good record shops/restaurants/places to visit would be greatly welcomed! Details of the gigs here.

Psychedelic Videos 3

Here's another psych video for you - a trailer for 1968 film The Touchables, with soundtrack by 'Rainbow Chaser' phaze and strings legends Nirvana. Quite hard to get hold of, and the plot is 'thinner than a paper towel' according to a review on Imdb, but great plastic space bubble nonetheless.

Come Join Me on New Year's Eve!

It's a full moon on Thursday 31st Dec 2009, and Fantasy Island will be presenting 100% Balearic Beats at the amazing Camino restaurant, bar and courtyard in King's Cross to celebrate. I'll be playing alongside Cosmo, resident at NY's Loft and Body and Soul parties, one of favorite DJ's out there, and Latin Dub Soundsystem, a killer 12 piece latin outfit with brass section, flamenco and all sorts. Check them out here. 

It's £25 to get in, or £60 with full tasting menu in the restaurant. It runs from 8pm - 4am. Tickets will sell out, so get them quick! Get tickets here.