The musical ramblings of broadcaster, photographer, writer, promoter and all round nice guy Ben Adsett. For more of my work visit
www.kicfm.com/shows/hearnomusicalevil
www.youtube.com/user/seenomusicalevil
or find me via twitter @nomusicalevil
A quick note to recommend that you get yourself over to the A1 records website and check out the great records now available to download. I would personally recommend the Gregory Kraj albums and EP’s (there’s loads of them) and the Spades however everything I have downloaded is great.
Those of you who have some money and are feeling generous should also donate to keep the label running. I have a feeling we will be expecting great things from A1 in the future especially with the existing music they are realising.
As mentioned in previous posts I have been working towards releasing an independent music Zine. I finally have good news on that front our website is in progress and as soon as it’s done we will have our first issue available for your reading pleasure. There is also soon to be a video interview with The Slackers and Vic Ruggiero talking about his solo records.
There is also going to be a Sanzaru blog on the way which will be updated regularly by Jamie and myself with special guest blogs appearing as often as possible.
If you want to get involved in any way please do not hesitate in getting in touch.
I am no expert on dance music and only listen to a few artists mainly recommended to me by friends and reviews. I generally listen to relaxed styles mainly with real instruments involved; there have been plenty of artists developing styles incorporating a dance influence in differing styles.
The most documented style recently discussed has been the New Rave scene which started in the USA with the LCD Sound System and The Rapture both influencing the style that emerged in the UK last year with The Klaxons, Hot Chip and Enter Shakiri. The scene has obvious comparisons to the Radio 4 and Cooper Temple Clause but Test Icicles have been credited with starting the style. Recently NME described them as 'the most important influence to music in the last 10 years' (a comment to take with a pinch of salt).
As with any scene there are good artists and bands who ride the hype. The Klaxons were victims of their own success and released a great album but singles being forced into our ears made it hard to respect the creativity of the record. Hot Chip also got tied into the New Rave scene, although released one of the best dance albums of the year with a follow up that made my top albums of the year.
Although I am not an expert there are plenty of ‘dance’ albums I love including Air’s Moon Safari which is an album that never fails to relax me but includes all the elements you expect from French dance music. New Forms by Roni Size and Reprazent is again a stunning record, made with a mixture between live instruments and electronic beats creating an individual sound. Mr Scruff’s Keep It Unreal displays a truly original take jazz inspired dance which is hard not to love.
The genre is far bigger than my knowledge but there are a load of important bands to be considered.
I am 24 and as involved in the local music scene as someone without musical talent can be. I am a radio broadcaster and producer, I also write on a freelance basis for a variety of publications both online and in print. I promote shows for Thirsty & Miserable and DJ for Out Of Step too.
