Lets rewind just a few months, it was Christmas time and we were all feeling a bit merry, and yet again a promise of another folk night, but unfortunately occasionally swamped by singer song writers. I think thats a major problem for Manchester, any way thats another story. Shining out like a forgotten beacon, last minute stand in John Smith thrapped his guitar and left most gob smacked with his humble ability to whack one out!

Born down in Devon, and now residing on the streets of Liverpool, Mr Smith has slowly but recently become on of my favourite singer songwriters, this is an easy category for John to be dumped into, with his solo acoustic performances. But here in The Fox and The Monk, we are treated to a full band onslaught of lovely backing vocals, thumping double bass, and orchestrations which left me on come down at 3am, pure brilliance.

This album has been self released, with no press company pushing his dulcet Gomez style vocals, and guitar playing not seen round these parts in quite some time, it would be so easy for John Smith to have a press engine behind him, because there are easy elements to his music, but the humble approach of the diy ethos will aide him in his quest for world domination. Surely this lad deserves it, a recent tour support with John Martyn and plenty of festival appearances this year will hopefully push John into the necessary limelight.

Like another young shining star, Nancy Elizabeth Cunliffe, John is a constellation that needs careful attention, and could well cross over into your mums radio 2 collection. For those that hear this first time around treat it with care, because Im sure some hot shot label / pr company will pick this up and propel him into the stratosphere. So while his feet stay firmly fixed, embrace this fine album, its a classic waiting to happen.

Im not too into compilations any more, but this has restored my faith in the given subject.

Awash with current label samplers, best of this and best of that, here you have some outstanding talent! An amazing collection of artists, whom some I would never have stumbled upon. In a lovely package, Melodic records have presented us with the compilation of the year!

You have the beat driven funk effort of Working for a Nuclear Free City of which Id seen before live and was dully bored by them, but the first track on here rocks. Maybe done especially for this record! Who knows, who cares, lets rock!

Transelement woo you with their beach boy esque vocals , and then kicks you in the bollocks with a drum beaten frenzy. Ace! A little disappointing is the John Stammers track, beautiful Nick Drake style work, but why does everything this guy records sounds like its recorded at the bottom of a trashcan! More effort needed there!

Pedro goes all dirty on us, providing Melodic with probably one his best tracks to date! Filthy sax solos, shuffling beats and a stonker of a track. Next up is DNCN, with his lovely electronic twisted disco rhythms and rude samples, beautiful stuff. Wren provide an ace slice of guitar action, but not too obvious, glad to hear what more they have to offer....

L Pierre goes all floaty on us, a highly usable track which tickles you taste buds. Same goes for Topo Gigio a lazy track which makes you intrigued by their actions, simple yet effective! Thats the good thing here, it keeps you interested in all the artists concerned, a true eye opener... All in all a outstanding contribution to the world of compilations, more please sir!

d.sime
copyright hoodlumtribe 23.05.05

A freezing cold lonely valentines night opens up to engulf me in romantic curries, flowered balloons, rumblings of distant man flu, and the compelling urge to stay off the drink. I hate valentines, as you can probably tell!

So what better to do then lose yourself in an amazing ensemble of great musicians, Ive been waiting nearly two years for this. Broken Social Scene have definitely stepped up the pace, a nine piece collective quickly builds up the frenzy. Randomly it seems dragging strangers from the darkly lit stage door, it begins with six, grows to seven, jumps back down to five and finally with violinist and main female vocals, the nine piece known as the Broken Social Scene let rip.

Playing mainly newish material, well that from the self titled album. Hits like Shoreline sound as compelling as any other Canadian multi functional collective, maybe the press engine isnt at full throttle with this lot, but thankfully not, as this is what seems to keep this bands feet firmly fixed. This isnt the over emphasis of characters within the band, the music is strong. They dont need to bash each other over the head whilst wearing helmets. The conception here is on the close knit unit of outstanding guitars, multi functional brass elements and the spectrumed difference of vocal delights! One little let down was unusually a bit too similar drumming, a couple of tracks ebbed their way into the same disco rock punchy ness, but hey we cant have perfection all the time, this is life for Christs sake!

One true icon of the scene is the operatic alien stance of female vocalist Emily Haines, shining through on their classic Anthems For A Seventeen Year Old Girl, hair aloft, she sang with delicate beauty, another element to this outstanding collective. And boy do they have the balls to do this! Playing well over two hours and with no support act, BSS have over emphasised their confidence, Were getting used to playing big shows : announces the front man (Im confused with names at this point!). Definitely a step forwards for this Canadian collective, another highlight of this showcase of musical delights was a solo performance from the apostle of hustle, again a stark difference from the full nine piece. Showing us that this is the business, from acoustic covers to the full on epic grande finale of knee to the floor guitar wig outs!

But just as you though you were on safe ground with the performance of the year, just before they leave its announced How long will this last? maybe the collective has loose connections, who knows? But remember, You have to fight to love how apt?...

d.sime 20.02.06
copyright hoodlumtribe