Lockdown Grooves #2
I kind of appreciate that I went big on the first of these with some big chunky tubes that pretty much everyone knew. This time I’m exploring the slightly more obscure corners of my record collection to bring you some stuff you’ve probably not heard before, or if you have you may not know who it was by. Anyway, please enjoy the musical journey.
1. Speedy J - Lanzarote
Simply gorgeous piece of warm ambient electronica from Speedy J who, like many early producers from the Low Countries fas been rather over-shadowed by the blockbuster trance producers that followed them. That’s a massive shame because his two major studio albums - Ginger and G-Spot - are both masterpieces. I urge you to check them out. In the meantime, enjoy this sun-drenched cut from G-Spot.
2. A Mountain Of One - Innocent Line
I know what you’re thinking, progressive rock tinged balearica sounds like the Devil’s work, but give this a try and I’m sure it will change your mind. It’s one of those tracks that has a beautiful nagging melody that you can’t shift - and as soon as it finished, you want to listen to it again. Trust me, this is bliss.
3. GusGus - VIP [Ron Trent Mix]
Whoever commissioned the remix package for this single for GusGus deserves a meddle. In addiction to this wonderful deep house mix from techno founding father Ron Trent, there are also brilliant remixes from the legends that are Francois Kevorkian and the Fire Island boys, Terry Farley and Pete Heller. All are fantastic in their own way. Check them out.
4. CJ Bolland - Camargue
Like Speedy J, these days it feels as if CJ Bolland is somewhat overlooked, which is a crime given that he produced once of the defining techno albums of the early 1990s, 4th Wonder. This is the standout track from that album, but the whole creation is wonderful and deserving of far more praise than it gets.
5. Kid Loco - Love Me Sweet
Fantastic cover of the Saint Etienne track from French maestro Kid Loco. He’s cropped up of course on many a unit shifting chill out compilation, but his solo material is well worth exploring, especially Kill Your Darlings and A Grand Love Affair, from which this is lifted.
6. Banco De Gaia - Last Train To Lhasa
There was a time when hippy electronica was all you’d hear at Glastonbury. Banco De Gaia, Afro-Celt System, Transglobal Underground to name just three. This is arguably Banco De Gaia’s signature track and it’s certainly his most well known. Either way it’s a lovely piece of dubby electronica, topped with a gorgeously nagging melody.
7. BBG - Snappiness [Sweet Instrumental]
Fantastic slice of mid 90s mellow Ibiza house. Lovely piano riff - check. Chugging Balearic beat - check. Sunrise at the Cafe del Mar - check.
8. Lionrock - The Guide
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - if there was any justice in the world, Lionrock would have been as big as The Chemical Brothers. As it is, they are only known for a few singles, of which this not one. It’s better. Powered by a laid back looping dubbed up rhythm section courtesy of Justin Robertson, this allows MC Buzzbee free range to expound a mystical rap over the top. Buzzbee was a great rapper, very Mancunian, very poetic, and as I say, with a lovely other-worldly quality.
9. Stef, Pako and Frederik - Seaside Atmosphere [Original Mix]
Minimalist trance never sounded as beautiful as this. Belying it’s title, this chilly tune starts slowly, but builds gradually, layering its melody as the track unfolds. There’s no real crescendo, just a wonderful unfurling of the different elements until you’re suddenly in the middle of a profoundly emotional piece of music. Well that’s what I think.
10. William Orbit - Gringatcho Demento
Strange Cargo III was one of the first CDs I ever bought. I got mainly for the mini masterpiece that is Water From A Vineleaf, a Beth Orton voiced work of genius I first heard on Annie Nightingale’s post-Top Ten show on Radio One many moons ago. Anyway, I digress. This track is among the best of the rest on the album. Keep an ear out for the sample at the beginning lifted from the 1986 film version of The Name Of The Rose, among my favourite films.
1. Speedy J - Lanzarote
Simply gorgeous piece of warm ambient electronica from Speedy J who, like many early producers from the Low Countries fas been rather over-shadowed by the blockbuster trance producers that followed them. That’s a massive shame because his two major studio albums - Ginger and G-Spot - are both masterpieces. I urge you to check them out. In the meantime, enjoy this sun-drenched cut from G-Spot.
2. A Mountain Of One - Innocent Line
I know what you’re thinking, progressive rock tinged balearica sounds like the Devil’s work, but give this a try and I’m sure it will change your mind. It’s one of those tracks that has a beautiful nagging melody that you can’t shift - and as soon as it finished, you want to listen to it again. Trust me, this is bliss.
3. GusGus - VIP [Ron Trent Mix]
Whoever commissioned the remix package for this single for GusGus deserves a meddle. In addiction to this wonderful deep house mix from techno founding father Ron Trent, there are also brilliant remixes from the legends that are Francois Kevorkian and the Fire Island boys, Terry Farley and Pete Heller. All are fantastic in their own way. Check them out.
4. CJ Bolland - Camargue
Like Speedy J, these days it feels as if CJ Bolland is somewhat overlooked, which is a crime given that he produced once of the defining techno albums of the early 1990s, 4th Wonder. This is the standout track from that album, but the whole creation is wonderful and deserving of far more praise than it gets.
5. Kid Loco - Love Me Sweet
Fantastic cover of the Saint Etienne track from French maestro Kid Loco. He’s cropped up of course on many a unit shifting chill out compilation, but his solo material is well worth exploring, especially Kill Your Darlings and A Grand Love Affair, from which this is lifted.
6. Banco De Gaia - Last Train To Lhasa
There was a time when hippy electronica was all you’d hear at Glastonbury. Banco De Gaia, Afro-Celt System, Transglobal Underground to name just three. This is arguably Banco De Gaia’s signature track and it’s certainly his most well known. Either way it’s a lovely piece of dubby electronica, topped with a gorgeously nagging melody.
7. BBG - Snappiness [Sweet Instrumental]
Fantastic slice of mid 90s mellow Ibiza house. Lovely piano riff - check. Chugging Balearic beat - check. Sunrise at the Cafe del Mar - check.
8. Lionrock - The Guide
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - if there was any justice in the world, Lionrock would have been as big as The Chemical Brothers. As it is, they are only known for a few singles, of which this not one. It’s better. Powered by a laid back looping dubbed up rhythm section courtesy of Justin Robertson, this allows MC Buzzbee free range to expound a mystical rap over the top. Buzzbee was a great rapper, very Mancunian, very poetic, and as I say, with a lovely other-worldly quality.
9. Stef, Pako and Frederik - Seaside Atmosphere [Original Mix]
Minimalist trance never sounded as beautiful as this. Belying it’s title, this chilly tune starts slowly, but builds gradually, layering its melody as the track unfolds. There’s no real crescendo, just a wonderful unfurling of the different elements until you’re suddenly in the middle of a profoundly emotional piece of music. Well that’s what I think.
10. William Orbit - Gringatcho Demento
Strange Cargo III was one of the first CDs I ever bought. I got mainly for the mini masterpiece that is Water From A Vineleaf, a Beth Orton voiced work of genius I first heard on Annie Nightingale’s post-Top Ten show on Radio One many moons ago. Anyway, I digress. This track is among the best of the rest on the album. Keep an ear out for the sample at the beginning lifted from the 1986 film version of The Name Of The Rose, among my favourite films.
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