November’s tune of the month

Roots Manuva – Here We Go Again feat. Spikey Tee

Here’s another class tune by Rodney Smith (aka Mr Manuva) from his latest album 4everevolution. This time the UK rapper has teamed up with ragga-soul singer Spikey Tee (best known for his work with Mr Scruff, Sindecut and Jah Wobble) to produce an intense but soulful track about the childish nature of ‘street life’ and good friendships gone bad. Once again we’re hit with a deep groove and a dose of frank, genuine home truths to nod along to.

You’ll like it if you like:

– British hip-hop
– A filthy bassline
– Honest lyrics

The single is released on 4 December 2011. Buy / preview it on iTunes

September’s tune of the month

Kill It Kid – Heart Rested With You

If you like a dose of muddy blues-rock you need to get a load of Kill It Kid’s latest single. The second track on the band’s second album, Heart Rested With You, begins with an echoey stadium sound – but don’t let these first seconds fool you. The track quickly builds into the howling, thunderous foot-stomper that it clearly is. Imagine the devil rising up through meaty chords of strum-fire in a sweaty marsh, deep in the south of America. Not the kind of music you’d expect to come out of Bath, but with artfully layered male and female vocals, a larger-than-life sound and no lack of energy, this one deserves to be turned up. Loud.

You’ll like it if you like:

– The Dead Weather
– Filthy blues-rock
– The Black Keys

I feel it’s slightly unfair homing in on one track because the whole album is pretty delicious (make sure you cop a load of Pray on Me), but rules is rules… Find out more on the band’s MySpace page.

July’s tune of the month

Anna Calvi – Suzanne and I

First things first. I love seeing a petite lady strapped into a guitar like it’s a weapon. I also love hearing melodies belted out from deeper inside a singer’s gut than I ever thought possible. Anna Calvi does both of these – with gusto. Her self-titled album is available to buy now, but if you just want to dip your toes in first, Suzanne and I has to be the best track on it. Think mesmerising, powerful vocals and big, echoey drum-beats. It’s what you might get if you stuck Shirley Bassey, KD Lang and Richard Hawley into a pot and mixed them up. And yes, lads, it’s a pretty lady singing about another lady.

You’ll like it if you like:

– powerful, almost theatrical music
– hearing a melody getting ripped up, slapped about, punched in the face and generally attacked with force
– Errr, Shirley Bassey, KD Lang and Richard Hawley

Buy the album and find out more here.

June’s tune of the month

Jono McCleery – Wonderful Life

The second single to be released by this up-and-coming Ninja Tune artist certainly doesn’t disappoint. You may need to give it a couple of listens and it will take a minute for you to realise that this is a cover (if you hadn’t already guessed by the title). It’s beautiful, melancholy and  heart-felt.

You’ll like it if you like:

– Nick Drake
– Hearing cover versions with a difference
– Chillin’

His first and also amazing single, Tomorrow is available on Amazon and iTunes. Wonderful Life will be available to buy on 27th June. Have a listen and find out more here

May’s tune of the month

Jai Paul – BTSTU

I heard this first on BBC 6 Music and have HAD to listen to it every day since. Apparently BTSTU has been hanging round since last year when it was leaked online somehow, but now Jai Paul has released this chunk of electronic heaven as an official single with XL Recordings (home of Radiohead, The White Stripes, The XX and many more proper decent bands). Desperate to find out when the album will be released, I’m hoping that the rest of Jai Paul’s songs are as good as BTSTU.

You’ll like it if you like:

– weird, dreamy electro sounds
– big pulsating beats
– somet’ a bit different

Have a listen & watch some of the (some good, some questionable) dancing this song has inspired here