Thursday, January 31, 2008

Glow

Spandau Ballet isn't just about slow dances and PM Dawn sample fodder. These guys can throw an all out new romantic herky jerky disco party like nobody. Really nice synth work, funky new wave bass and a minute and a half drumbreak in the middle? Glow!

Spandau Ballet- Glow (12" Version)

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Hi Life

Weekend at Bernies anyone? Today Wally Badarou brings you the sweet sound of tiny microchips dancing on the beach.

Wally Badarou- Hi-Life

Monday, January 28, 2008

Eyes

Apparently Clio is obsessed with body parts, but only those above the neck. Might she have some long lost classics called Nose or Cheek? I hope so.

Clio- Eyes

For all those new to ARAWA (thanks Hype Machine!) theres more Clio right here.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Springwater

This song went Top 5 in the UK in 1971. Can you imagine something like this charting these days? Like Ratatat's Cherry in the Top 5 maybe? What a world that would be. Remember the future in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure? Where the music of Wyld Stallyns has brought peace and harmony and we live in crystalline quarters filled with drifting new-age metal guitar leads? Let's make it happen.

Springwater- I Will Return

Downriver

This one deserves an edit. Two minutes?!. Spacey whistles, washing acoustic strums, humming synths, its just so breezy. I can just see myself sprawled out on an inner tube, slowly floating downriver, half awake, half asleep, baking under the sun, my hands drifting slowly across the cool water. The only problem here is that two minutes is hardly long enough for a good downriver trip.

The Doobie Brothers- Flying Cloud

Monday, January 21, 2008

I'm One!

Sometimes you just need a good kickstart in life. ARAWA has been mine. There's just something about this little place that has really got me going in the past year. I'm not saying I'm there's some great art to what I've been doing here, but it's a channel I've used and that channel has widened and widened, slowly overflowing into other aspects of my life. I feel more open, more creative and am just more productive than I've been in a long time. I really have all of you to thank for that (even the quiet ones). Just knowing that somebody else is having as much fun as I am is enough for me.

So here's a treat to pay back all you little stars that have so brightened my corner of the universe. One of the fantastic folk I've had the privilege to meet through the magic of the interweb is Dream Chimney regular, editmeister extraordinaire, and all around extraterrestrial disco guru, Jaz. Back in November I asked him if he'd do a birthday mix for ARAWA. He happily agreed and asked if I'd hook up a graphic for him. Done and done. And really folks, he did a better mix than I had ever hoped for, an epic 76 minute ride that leaves no disco-stone unturned. From his incredible as-yet-unreleased Bollywood edit "State of Hindipendence" to Robin Gibb robot songs, it's a truly galactic mix that perfectly bridges the gap between our already closely neighboring planets.

JAZ- Bioluminescently
(
ARAWA's1stbdaymix)
1. Jaz- State of Hindipendence
2. Love International- Airport of Love
3. Marzio Dance- The Adventure
4. Liquid Mask- Just-A-Moment
5. Sylvia Love- Extraterrestrial Lover (Jaz Edit)
6. Massimo Barsotti- Right or Wrong
7. Five Letters- Crazy Man
8. Karen Young- Detour
9. Toto Coelo- Milk from the Coconut
10. Robin Gibb- Robot
11. Who's Who- Dance Dance
12. Shiver- Never Coming Back
13.Phono- Music Is My Sex
14. Neon- Skydiver
15. Vivien Vee- Alright
16. Scotch- Take Me Up
17. Yukihiro Takahashi- Drip Dry Eyes

Be sure to cop Jaz's new 12" Show Me On the Doll featuring four tracks of dusty disco pleasures. Available at Juno, Phonica and Piccadilly. Mines in the mail. I can hardly wait!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Cover #3

Tequila. What can I say? I've loved it ever since Pee Wee borrowed the janitor's shoes, got up and that table and did his thing. Eww gross. I meant dancing. Originally performed by The Champs in 1959 and covered in just about every way and style possible, Tequila is a bonafide novelty classic. And more importantly, Tequila was my childhood JAM. Eight year old me rocked out to it. Hard.

In 1982 three producers named Gloves, Konnor and Trilogy (of Not Love fame) came together to bring Tequila, streamlined and synthed up, into the italo 80's. I can't thank them enough for it.

Bo Boss- Tequila

I didn't think I'd be able to make it through this post without some sort of barf joke. Ah restraint. See you Monday with a special treat!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Cover #2

We all know Popcorn right? Written by Gershon Kingsley (or a computer program if you believe the rumors) in 1969, popularized by Hot Butter in '72 and then covered by everyone from Aphex Twin to Crazy Frog (check out this list!) its a instrumental standard. The world of Italo was never one to leave a dead horse alone, so the Magic Men popped up in '83 to give the poor thing another beating. Magic Men was a pseudonym of P.L.R.D. which is itself a pseudonym for the brilliant (and alias happy) Nicolosi brothers, Lino and Pino. How cute is that? Maybe they were twins or something. Anyway, they pull it off. Using their trademark sound they'd later popularize on tracks for Valerie Dore, Domina and Mike Rogers, they create a propulsive track that could almost be some new Kris Menace or Lifelike track. That is, until those little Popcorn blips come in.

Magic Men- Popcorn

Here also is the dub mix which spaces the track out and minimizes the ummm... "popcorning".

Magic Men- Popcorn (Dub)

Third and final cover tomorrow!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Cover #1

I've been meaning to post these three songs for awhile. They're all covers of (mostly) instrumental classics and for whatever reason I have them all grouped together mentally. Most of them are pretty "Italo 101" but they're worth another listen regardless of how many times you've heard them...

No matter how much of a jaded, bearded disco freak you are, I'm pretty sure that somewhere deep inside, you love The Hustle. Sure, it's cheesy, it's played out but come on. When your little sister gets married and you're feelin "a little buzzed", Van McCoy will start up and you'll be out on that floor lookin stupid with everybody else. Don't be embarrassed. Here's a little 1983 update on the classic with a whole lot of that italo warmth, oodles of springy synths and for good measure, a rapper (of the "A rip, a rap, a rippity rap" variety).


Cover #2 tomorrow!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The Forces of Light

On this little piece of galactic joy, Chromium along with superproducer Trevor Horn, invite you to join The Forces of Light. Genuinely evil folk need not apply.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Making Medical History

This one's for all you role players out there. No, not D&D. You know, like the sexy kind. Jeez. You guys are such nerds. Natalie Ann (whoever you are!) sounds great, all nonchalant and icy as she gets dolled up like its frat boy Halloween and plays some doctor games.

Natalie Ann- Doctor Games

I just have to point out how rad it is when that heart rate monitor beep turns into an arpeggiating synth on that last chorus. It rules.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Rondo!

I was listening to Justice's rejected Fabric mix today and while I was more than a little underwhelmed with the mix by the time it was over, I've gotta say the first five minutes are pretty flawless. Especially with this little beauty sandwiched right between Sparks and Goblin. Mmm, Sandwich. I've never heard of Rondo Veneziano but after hearing this and seeing the above video, I think I have to thank Justice for introducing us. I think we're going to be very happy together.

Rondo Veneziano- La Serenissima

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Creme De La Creme

Post 200! This calls for the big guns. How about something with a nice disco rhythm, bouncy bassline, a wobbly acid didgeridoo type thing and on top of that, that Andy Samberg lookin dude up there, singing in the most ridiculous warbly falsetto I've ever heard? Afraid? You should be. This is a big fat slice of insanity. Crazy pie. Cuckoo cake. You get the picture. I was listening to this today and I thought there was something so familiar about his voice... Though he reminded a little of Mrs. Garrett from The Facts of Life (Girls!) I knew that wasn't exactly it. Thirty seconds into playing for my girlfriend she nailed it, Casey and His Brother from Tim and Eric Awesome Show. That's sooo it right?

You HAVE to check out the lyrics over at the indispensable Bide Et Musique. Here's just a little snippet of the madness that awaits you...

I wish she were here
Hot ! Hot ! Hot ! Hot ! Hot !
Blood
(Hot ! Hot ! Hot !)
Panties in black in my baby cart
She makes me sing
Do ré miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Whoa.

Waylon- Creme De La Creme

And just for comparison, the late Casey and His Brother with Hamburgers and Hotdogs...

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Pacific!

Are we all familiar Pacific! yet? Blending 80's electro pop, sunny California 60's pop and a touch of disco these Gothenburg boys are someone to watch. Runway to Elsewhere is a their only instrumental track that starts out with a synth lead straight out of Secret Service's Oh Susie (check here) and quickly moves into a glittery disco workout ala Alan Braxe. You love it.

Pacific!- Runway to Elsewhere

Myspace here, Sunset Boulvard 12" here, Number One 12" here, Break Your Social System 12" here.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Coconut Airways

Lately I've been digging a lot of 70's top 40 stuff, maybe it's just a natural reaction to the weather outside. It's pretty grey and uninviting out there these days and I think all this sunny pop music is just what I need.

The brilliantly named Typically Tropical was a studio project of Jeff Calvert and Geraint Hughes (aka Max West) devised after Calvert's own trip to Jamaica. It was a big hit in Europe but unfortunately, were doomed to be one hit wonders. Though they did later co-produce Judas Priest's "Sad Wings of Destiny". What? Really? They produced "Ripper"?

Typically Tropical- Barbados

Super cool videos here and here.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Deluge Loves (Parentheses)

My girlfriend found the best record of the Amsterdam trip and I'm a little jealous. I found some good stuff and all, but it was mostly albums I've had digitally and finally came up on the vinyl. You know, cool, but nothing new to me. However Jesse was combing through all these 45s and buying whatever had cool looking covers or funny titles because hey, they're cheap and she makes these really awesome calendar books with them. As you can see, the cover's amazing, with it's windblown hair, leather jackets and neon brooms, and it has a funny title, Broom (With Me). It's really good too. Broom (With Me) is an uptempo Ganymed-esque number with some great vocals and spacey synths, but the b-side is where it's really at for me. On Not Easy (To Love) they knock the tempo down to a plodding thump and just get really out there. Let's call it... Cosmicbluesyarenapoprock. Unless you have something better to call it. Here's the whole 45 in nice little zip.

Deluge

Thanks Jesse. You rule.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Brothers On The Side

Jez over at the always excellent Innersounds has a little interview with me up as part of his ongoing Brothers on the Side feature. If you've always been curious about my opinions on politics and topical news items, you will surely be disappointed.

The Other Sister

Rebbie Jackson is apparently the only Jackson that can shoot lightning out of her hands. And if she isn't, then shes the only one that does it constantly.

Rebbie Jackson- Centipede

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Robot, Robot

I just can't keep this to myself anymore. It's too crazy. I don't speak French, but I imagine this crimped lil' gal is just expressing her love for her robot friend that helps with her homework and pushes her on the swings at the park. Just a guess.

Cerise- Robot Robot

Happy New Year people! We're one step closer to the future. Soon we'll all have robot friends.