“The Irish are the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. And the Northside Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin. So say it once, say it loud: I’m black and I’m proud.”

Jimmy Rabitte in The Commitments.

Listen to this video first, then watch it. You wouldn’t quite imagine that the voice comes from the man in the video. Michael Stafford (AKA Maverick Sabre) was born in Hackney to Irish parents, and grew up in Wexford, Ireland. His voice has been compared to Finlay Quaye, but in my mind, the potential is far greater. All part of the not intentional folk theme permeating this week, alongside James Vincent McMorrow and Ben Howard.

The association between Manchester United and The Stone Roses is well known. Just before United walk out onto Old Trafford, ‘This Is The One’ is always played. My happiness at securing a ticket to the Rose’s reformation was dented by my presence at yesterday’s game. It was a nice touch that ‘I am the Resurrection’ was also played with somewhat prophesy.

Football aside, it is great to see the partnership of Ian Brown and John Squire is back together again, not only for music, but also for John Squire’s graphic input on the band’s original design work. However, one can’t but help remember his painting from 2009 which is slightly at odds with what is happening now. God forbid the word ‘Money’ is uttered. Let’s hope next Summer’s event is a true spectacle for all of the right reasons.

Nobody quite knows where this girl comes from, but you’ll be sure to be hearing alot more from her soon. Lana Del Rey appeared supposedly out of nowhere. She is among the most buzzed about artists to emerge in recent months, mainly because of her striking Lauren Bacall-like looks, perfectly-plumped lips and enchanting, hushed singing style. In the last eight weeks, her song ‘Video Games’ has received over 2 million hits on YouTube, enough to gain the 24-year-old international acclaim and drop a record deal in her lap. Early blog buzz secured a series of live dates this fall, but the venues had to be changed to accommodate increased demand for tickets — nearly all the rescheduled shows sold out in record time. Catch her if you can.
nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/09/lana_del_rey.html

This record from Japan, Endless Rain, is something we do not need to have in London, as our soundtrack is right outside our window. The 12 inch, from Kyouei Design, is a beautifully designed piece of work. One side is the sound of raindrops, the other, continuous rain. Maybe the people in Ibiza could have this on their turntable at the closing parties next month. www.kyouei-ltd.co.jp/endless_rain_record.html

One of the most supremely difficult things in life is being the offspring of a famous musician who wants to follow in their parent’s footsteps. It often ends in failure, as one is constantly compared to the parent. Baxter Dury seems to be the exception to the rule. Son of the great Ian Dury, Baxter has just released a wonderful new album called Happy Soup. This is his third album, and whilst there are family similarities, Baxter’s album and sound is unique. He has his father’s way of storytelling, but it is less cheeky and more emotional. If you check it out on spotify.com first, you will be able to hear song by song commentary by Baxter. Well worth the listen, after you have purchased, of course. It is one of the most interesting albums to come out in months. Enjoy it.

“Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win” is the Beastie Boys new song and video (directed by Spike Jonze) featuring each of the band members as action figures. Now those action figures are available to buy. Produced by Nowhere Ltd, the 11.5 inch action figures come in a 16 x 12″ metal box and are accompanied by plenty of accessories and gear. The set is priced at approx. £460 and is now available to buy online over at the official Beastie Boys store, with all proceeds going to charity. We love them. 

Last week, my Ibiza soundtrack was Phoenix’s ‘It’s never been like that’ album. The French band, darlings of the L.A. set and fashion gangs,  have recently completed their new album, with no definite release date as of yet. During this time,  Fashion designer, Heidi Slimane has been documenting a variety of musicians and bands in his blog, ‘Rock Diary’. Most notably he spent time shooting Phoenix recording their album in New York. The more abstract images featured here, offer a refreshing change from the normal behind the scenes imagery often associated with rock and roll reportage.  www.hedislimane.com/rockdiary/

Damien Hirst, has been commissioned by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers to produce the artwork for their tenth studio album “I’m With You”. The album is due for release on 30 August, 2011. The image utilises Hirt’s trademark love of pharmaceutical branding and packaging. It is so refreshing to see some album imagery that is simple, clean and iconic. No doubt, the cost of the design has been met by the band as opposed to the Record Company, so congratulations to them on spending their own money on good design.

‘Frequent Traveller’ – an album made in truly unique circumstances and the first of its kind. A concept album in its purest form, this cinematic trip was written and recorded on the train journey from London Victoria to East Grinstead and back over the course of a year.

Armed with a laptop, iPad, small keyboard and a good pair of headphones, Steve Spiro AKA Frequent Traveller transformed the train into his recording studio, fusing soundtrack-esque electronica with traditional organic instruments, poetry and sound design.

Steve Spiro started his musical career as a record producer and remixer, working with artists including the Pet Shop Boys, Talk Talk, The Farm and Imagination. Spiro has also written music for many high-profile TV adverts and programs including Sex and the City and Six Feet Under.

It’s a rather lovely album created from everyday sounds, listen and enjoy….www.soundcloud.com/frequent-traveller

After spending a lot of time working on a new music video over the last few weeks, my mind has turned to what I feel is one of the most emotional and moving videos, possibly alongside Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares to you.”. Both of these songs were written for other people, but both have become owned by the people who covered them.

Love Stories?  The best love story was Johnny Cash and June Carter. They were already married to other people when they met. They performed together on stage, traveled together and developed a deep bond of friendship. During Johnny’s country music career, he became addicted to drugs and alcohol. In his greatest time of need, his wife pretty much deserted him. But his best friend, June, stuck by his side through his most difficult times. Both of their marriages had failed. And one day, on stage and in front of a live audience, Johnny proposed to June. With a tearful acceptance, she agreed to marry him, her best friend. He had actually proposed to her 30 times before that night on stage when she finally said yes.

Throughout their marriage of 35 years, Johnny fell back into drugs and alcohol a number of times. But their love endured. June would not leave his side, even when the going got tough. When most people would have left, she stuck around. And because she stayed loyal to him through the hard times and through his addictions, he loved her even more for it. Johnny Cash did have a great music career. He won eight Grammies. Seven of them were won after he married June.
In 2002, Johnny Cash remade the Nine Inch Nails song Hurt and released a video. For him, the song and video was a monument to his years of drug abuse and life pitfalls. In his video, it shows a dramatic emotional voyage leading up to his last days on earth. He dedicated this work to his wife, June, who is also shown in the video. Two months after the taping of Hurt, June Carter passed away. Johnny Carter died just a few months after her death. Death by a broken heart.

Yesterday’s tweet was about this song, but re reading the lyrics today, I felt the need to share it with more people. It is so great. The links to Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove also make it more poignant for me. Listen and enjoy.

Say you stand by your man
Tell me something I don’t understand
You said you love me and that’s a fact
Then you left me, said you felt trapped

Well some things you can explain away
But my heartache’s in me till this day

[Chorus]
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way

All the times
When we were close
I’ll remember these things the most
I see all my dreams come tumbling down
I won’t be happy without you around

So all alone I keep the wolves at bay
There is only one thing that I can say

[Chorus]

You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me

Did you stand by me
No, not at all

Now I got a job
But it don’t pay
I need new clothes
I need somewhere to stay
But without all these things I can do
But without your love I won’t make it through

But you don’t understand my point of view
I suppose there’s nothing I can do

[Chorus]

You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me?

Did you stand by me
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way

If you’re looking for a track to accompany the blue skies and long days, this is the one. Take me home is a break up song, but an up tempo one at that. ‘A.Human’ hail from the Dalston area of London. They tell stories about love, the damned, the strange and everything in-between. Enjoy them as soon as you can.

Noah and the Whale have just released their first single from their new album. Definitely a lot more upbeat than the break up songs on their last album ‘The First Days of Spring’, “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.” promises interesting things to come from their new album ‘Last Night On Earth’ .