Rosie Lowe Vs Swayney McPorridge

The first time I came across Rosie Lowe was through the Lil Silva track, No doubt. Not taking much notice of the singer herself, I continued to trail off with Lil Silva, discovering tracks such as Mask and then of course, discovering Banks. It was about three months later that Rosie Lowe popped up on my Soundcloud feed and I was completely blown away by her. So, when I heard that she was playing at the overly trendy venue that is Clapton’s new bar, Oslo, obviously I had to get a ticket.

She appeared on stage modestly confident, joking with us saying that the lights made it look as if we were all leaving after her first song, Right Thing, making her even more endearing.

She followed that with the incredible 10K Balloons, here’s a very poor quality video:

During a bit of a break, we were given one of the sweetest anecdotes I’ve heard in a long time. She told us that she loves looking after kids and does so whenever she gets the chance to. One child once asked her whether people rush love, she was completely thrown by the question and found herself unable to give this kid an answer, but as a result she wrote Games. This precise and delicate track gives a wonderful sense of how much Rosie Lowe gives, I for one just want more! She’s just released a video too!

To finish the set off, she played Me and Your Ghost. For me, this song encapsulates Lowe’s authentically soulful style, marvellously! Throughout the set, she kept indicating how proud she is of her band, whether it was an agreeable bop of the head, showing that she liked her bass player’s groove or a wide smile at her synth player,  I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, female soul singers are rising and there’s no doubt that Rosie Lowe will be one of those who will be leading these headstrong women.

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Now, I don’t want to steel Lowe’s thunder but I did have to give a brief update on what I’ve been listening to recently because THERE’S SO MUCH!

Chronologically, I’ll start with Four Tet and Terror Danjah’s new track – Killer (Text028 A). I much prefer this to the Nasty track. With its jungle routes and the way the track just turns to something that could have been mixed by bloody David Guetta (sound’s like a recipe for disaster) but this is one bangin’ track.

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Adult Jazz – Springful – Giles Peterson spoke a couple of weeks ago about a track having an incredible intro, well I think this beats it. This song has so many textures and without sounding like a complete knob, it really is a work of art. With the traditional indie rock thread throughout, Adult Jazz are somehow able to add layers of eclectic and experimental electronic beats on top, creating something that could easily be horrific and instead a song that is defiantly reckless.

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What So Not – OWSLA’s After Dark: Part 12 – This set literally sums up my obsession with the Aussie music scene.

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Jungle – Busy Earnin’ – Just released a few days ago, this track has begun to grow on me but I still stand by my initial reaction that perhaps Jungle are too busy earnin’. Just hasn’t done it for me as much as their previous tracks.

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Swayney McPorridge – Scribbins – So, James Blake had his last BBC Radio 1 residency show this week (sad times) and started with this track that I knew I’d heard recently, but under the name Swayney McPorridge. I definitely hadn’t come across the name Swayney McPorridge and Google hadn’t either, AT ALL. I thought to myself, WTF? Is this some unreleased track or something? But if so, why have I heard it before? I rattled my brain all day and had no luck. It was only on my way home from work when I was listening to Soundcloud, that I realised who the fuck Swayney McPorridge was… James Blake 10 – The rest of us 0. Very funny.

Now Playing 09.02.14

Firstly, I want to apologise for the late post, I’ve been poorly this weekend but a friend of mine gave me a nice kick up the ass just now so here we go:

Kelis – Jerk Ribs (Mount Kimbie Remix) – Now, there is no doubt that the original is proof that being signed to Ninja Tune records was an intelligent move for Miss Kelis. She’s now established enough that going to a smaller label from the previous Virgin, has enabled her to focus more on what she wants to produce, rather than what the label wants. Her new album ‘Food’ (release date 24.01.14) is highly creditable and after having been released from Virgin, she spent a year and a half at culinary school and is now looking into making her own brand of sauces (something that, personally makes my skin crawl), but good for her! She’s insistent that the album isn’t solely about her divorce with ex-husband Nas and talks about it being, “Just about where I’m at right now, and what’s going on around me and wanting to make a record that… that I believe. That I can sit down on a stool and sing for a long time.”  And the fact the Mount Kimbie are remixing this, I mean if there were ever a musical metaphor for a really exciting meal, this remix of Jerk Ribs is definitely up there. Bon appétit!

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Rhye – Open (Ryan Hemsworth remix) – Having just discovered Rhye, I must admit that this remix of Open was a tough decision to make, when sat side-by-side with the SOHN remix. However, I do think that Hemsworth mixes things up a bit more and creates a more chirpy and uplifting track in comparison. Headphones only.

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Kwabs – Last Stand (Produced by SOHN) – I haven’t quite worked out where I stand with Kwabs. Whether it’s because he reminds me of the lower standard of 90’s R&B that I’m thankful we’ve escaped, or simply because I’m unsure of where to place him yet. Either way, he seems to be doing well for himself and has received a helping hand from SOHN on this track and Wrong or Right, I’m interested to see the direction he next goes in.

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Maribou State & Pedestrian – Mask – This track, sounding Samphaesque is a great one for a Sunday afternoon.

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Howls – 003 – Ta-Ku and Kit Pop seemed to have a bit of a dip with 002 but they’re back on fire with their most recent track. I can imagine this being great to put on if you’re running late for work tomorrow.