Spring

It's the vernal equinox today, the first day of spring. From this point the days get longer and the nights shorter, winter's slushy greys being replaced with colour and warmth. Hallelujah.

Bicep celebrated spring on their 2017 debut album, an upbeat tune with a snappy breakbeat, piano and a haunting vocal sample.

Spring

In 1990 St Etienne's debut album also had a spring song, a sublime marriage of 60s lounge, jazzy vibes and a late 80s house rhythm. In 2009 Richard X reworked all of Foxbase Alpha, adding slightly here and there to bring it up to date. I've got to say, I don't prefer it to Foxbase Alpha, an album that stands on its own two feet just fine, but on its own terms Foxbase Beta works well enough.

Spring (Foxbase Beta Version)

Interestingly, or just coincidentally, both band's springs are track six on their respective albums.

Take A Tube To Camden Town

I'm off on a school trip until Friday, showing two dozen sixth formers the delights and wonders of the capital. I haven't had the time to pre-write any blogs for while I'm away so there'll be nothing going on here until Friday night, or Saturday morning maybe. In the meantime here's St Etienne and a killer song from their best album and a particular favourite of mine. They got Richard X to remix the whole album a few years ago and called it Foxbase Beta, which this is taken from.

London Belongs To Me (Foxbase Beta Version)

Richard X, Hope Sandoval and Jarvis Cocker 'Into U'

I've been listening to the Massive Attack and Hope Sandoval song (Paradise Circus) over the last few days, especially the Gui Boratto remix, and that led me back to this. Richard X, acceptable face of the mash-up (or something). This was off his album from a few years ago. He took Mazzy Star's Fade Into You, jazzed it up and got Jarvis to sing over it. That's a technical description of the recording process. Very good track it is too. Wasn't convinced by some of the rest of the album (Liberty X?).

Looking for pictures to accompany this post, it was beardy Richard X, beardy Jarvis or Hope. Hmmm....

14 Into U.wma