Lee Perry - Roast Fish And Cornbread

Today is the birthday of the Fitz. At least we're celebrating it, whether it really is or isn't. The Fitz likes reggae, particularly dub, so we're gonna rock some serious dub today. Lee "Scratch" Perry is a legend not only in his native Jamaica but all over the world for helping to popularize his genre. If you know dub, you know Lee Perry, simple as that. If you don't, here's your first serving of roast fish and cornbread.

Lee Perry - Roast Fish And Cornbread



Mmmm... dub-licious.

Modest Mouse - Float On

It looks like summer outside and I'm not hanging about in here for much longer. It's been almost a year since I posted some Modest Mouse so here's one of my all-time favourite summer jams. Now get outside already.

Modest Mouse - Float On



Good times in the Maritimes.

Jungle Brothers - Brain

Good night at the Phoenix last night, thanks for everyone who came out and partied with me. Just need to find a way to get all you suckers in an hour earlier so you don't stick around so late! Tonight I'm at the iRock, new gig for me so I'm pretty much wingin' it and we'll see how she goes. Actually I better start moving now so I'm not late. Enjoy the evening, and here's some groovy beats from the Jungle Brothers to chill with.

Jungle Brothers - Brain



Tomorrow, something different.

Portishead - Glory Box

I've checked out a bunch of new music over the past couple days and haven't been very impressed, so here's an old one that I'd kind-of half-forgotten about. See ya at the Phoenix tonight!

Portishead - Glory Box [Live @ Nulle Part Ailleurs]



Sounds pretty Tarantino worthy.

Calvin Harris - Colours

I've got a bone to pick with the music industry. They've ruined Calvin Harris. Seriously. What the hell happened? This guy has talent and has put out some great tracks in recent years with kind of a funky nu-disco feel to them, and now all of a sudden he's putting out complete five-minute-dollar-star-dutch-wannabe crap. Pure rubbish. Forgive me for being negative, but "Awooga" and "Bounce" are simply awful. Is he selling out? Has he lost the plot? Have I no taste in music? You decide. I prefer his older stuff. Much, much, much better. More of that, please.

Calvin Harris - Colours

BONUS BEATS!

Ellie Goulding - The Lights [dBerrie Remix]



Great remix from David Berrie.

Phantogram - When I'm Small

I've only heard of Phantogram in passing until today, when Ashley posted a link to this great tune and I decided to check it out. I'm happy to say that it was pretty sweet, so then I found a neat little acoustic version of it to share with you as well. Since I know nothing about them, I'm gonna go find out more right now. Happy listening.

Phantogram - When I'm Small [Live @ Big Ugly Yellow Couch]



Check out Big Ugly Yellow Couch, it's a cool site.

Morcheeba - Even Though

It's been a busy weekend, and now I'm back in Halifax for a couple days. I've gotten a lot done on my own stuff over the past couple weeks, but right now I'm just updating my ever-growing database of tunage. For those of you who come out to the Phoenix early in the evening, particularly on Saturdays, you'll know that I like to play a lot of jazzy downtempo beats, lots of trip-hop and lo-fi goodies, so I've been getting more of that lately.

One of the groups that I've had a bit of, but now have much more of, is Morcheeba. Comprised of the Godfrey brothers, Paul and Ross, and singer Skye Edwards, they make great chillout tunes, and they've been doing it for years. You might have heard their track "Trigger Hippie" years back, it got fairly popular, but there's so much more in their catalog worth checking out. Here's a great rare live acoustic performance for your enjoyment.

Morcheeba - Even Though [Live @ Musiques Du Monde]



The original version is here, pretty sweet.

Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime

I've been listening to some satellite radio for the past couple days, and this Adrian Lux track has been all over it. It's really simple and catchy, and I really dig it. It's more subtle than in-your-face like so much stuff out there today is. Nice little remix from Axwell and Henrik B too. Check it out.

Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime

BONUS BEATS!

Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime [Axwell & Henrik B Remix]



See ya at the Capital tonight.

Kaskade - Fire In Your New Shoes

This one has been around for a few months now but I didn't really get hold of it until Julie sent it to me a short time ago. Nice catchy track by Kaskade featuring Martina Sorbara from Dragonette on vocals. You might also recognize her voice from that goofy track "Hello" that's been making the rounds lately, even though they came out around the same time. Maybe this one will catch on too?

I'm heading back to Freddy Beach in less than an hour. See you all at the Phoenix tonight. I'll even play this track.

Kaskade feat. Martina Sorbara - Fire In Your New Shoes



New JSB album up too! Gotta go, see ya soon!

The Stranglers - Always The Sun

The sun is out. Finally. I'm going outside. Here are The Stranglers.

The Stranglers - Always The Sun



Back to Freddy Beach tomorrow evening. See ya at the Phoenix!

Sam Roberts - Brother Down

Sam Roberts is headlining FredRock this year. To be honest I'm not his biggest fan, but he's had some cool tracks come out over the years. This remains my favourite, I remember like yesterday hearing it on the Edge in Toronto. Less than 48 hours until I return to Freddy Beach for the weekend, so I'd better get back to work.

Sam Roberts - Brother Down



One more JSB show added, more tomorrow.

Scientists Of Sound - Rollin' & Scratchin'

It's still raining in Halifax. Still. That is one solid week of straight cloud and rain. Yuck. Well at least I have some sweet tunes to keep me company. Today we look to the future and bring you more Scientists Of Sound, covering one of my favourite Daft Punk tracks. So sick. Back to work, enjoy.

Added a new live JSB show, see the post below this one.

Jimmy Swift Band Live Shows

My 400th blog post fittingly contains gifts to you. Since JSB changed their status to "inactive", I'm going to post several live shows over the next couple days for you to download. All links will go on this page so you can just bookmark it or follow the tags on the side panel. Enjoy.

[1998] Halloween At Blues Corner
MP3 format, 160kbps VBR, 44kHz
14 songs, 2:15:27 total
recording information here
download here (155mb ZIP file): zippyshare
*oldest live recording of bad as PF Station that I know of
*includes cover tracks Pigs (Pink Floyd), Miss You (Rolling Stones) & more

[2000] Live @ Evolve
MP3 format, 192kbps VBR, 44kHz
6 songs, 1:12:11
recording information here
download here (99mb ZIP file): zippyshare
*legendary performance at first Evolve Festival
*only recording with Bob Deveaux on drums and Rob McGuire on keys

[2000] Ahh Yeah
MP3 format, 192kbps CBR, 44kHz
10 songs, 47:29 total
tracklist here
download here (65mb ZIP file): zippyshare
*first studio album of the band, released on Drop Records label
*labelled as Jimmy Swift Band but originally released as PF Station

[2002] Live @ The Come Together Festival
MP3 format, 256kbps VBR, 44kHz
15 songs, 2:35:25 total
recording information here
download here (260mb ZIP file): megaupload
*includes 41 minute version of Now They Will Know We Were Here
*includes 25 minute version of Creepin'
*includes cover songs Pigs & Ghost Riders In The Sky

[2003] Seamless @ The Trasheteria w/ Grand Theft Bus
MP3 format, 192kbps CBR, 44kHz
27 songs, 3:45:43 total
recording information here
download here (308mb ZIP file): megaupload
*includes 27 minute "Now They Will Know We Were Here"
*includes 28 minute seamless megajam with Grand Theft Bus

Still more on the way...

Jimmy Swift Band - Astronauts

It's not my fault! Blogger has been down for a while so I couldn't post anything, but we're back in business and I've been on the Twitter thingy in the meantime anyway so check out the side panel for some crazy links.

Today is a bittersweet day. The Jimmy Swift Band, after 10 years of kicking ass all over Canada, have decided to call it a day. This sucks because they are without doubt one of my all-time favourite live acts, and some of my greatest partying memories come from evenings that I attended their legendary shows. That said, Aaron and Craig will still be rocking it with their new(ish) collaboration group, the Scientists Of Sound, so for that we can be thankful. The rain has also stopped in Halifax, finally, at least for now. There's a hint of some sun coming through the clouds, and it's the first weekend I've spent in Hali in some time, so it's time to get my groove on.

This is probably my favourite JSB song, one that has been around since the Fly Jimmy Swift days. Of course the full title of the song is "Astronauts Attempting To Take Off Their Space Suits So That They May Copulate", which is highly appropriate. I've had some mind-blowing experiences during live renditions of this song.

For those interested, I'll be posting some links to old JSB shows tomorrow, pending permission from the band. Now onwards through the fog...

Jimmy Swift Band - Astronauts [Live @ The Marquee]

BONUS JSB MINI-DOCUMENTARY!

Ten minutes of nostalgia from "Live At The Marquee".

BONUS JSB AWESOMENESS!

Jimmy Swift Band - The 80's Runway Model [Live]



From "The Rebirth Of Hooch", a must-have live album.

Check out older JSB posts here and here for more greatness.

David Myles - Out Of Love

At last! Freddy Beach's own David Myles has finally made himself a little music video, and it's suitably minimal and smooth, just like his tunes. If you don't know about Mr. Myles, I recommend that you check him out. Better yet, see him live, he's pretty awesome.

I made it safely to Halifax, and I'm just getting settled in for the week ahead. I'll hopefully get lots of work done, starting as soon as I finish this post. It's been raining constantly since I got here Sunday night and hasn't stopped even for a quick breath so far, but that's ok since I'm locking myself in the house until I get something done. Some twitter updates for later, and maybe I'll put some of this new stuff on the ol' Soundcloud over the next couple days.

David Myles - Out Of Love



Lovely.

Fatlip & Yeti Beats - LA Girl

I've been busy getting ready for my Halifax sojourn, so here's some groovy beats to get you movin'. Come say hello at the Phoenix tonight, if you're nice I might play your song.

BONUS CRAZY BREAK DUB BEATS!

Canblaster - Clockworks [Teki Latex & Para One Remix]

Crazy beats that I can't really define, but I like 'em!

BONUS SWEET MAD HOUSE BEATS!

Soundz Fresh - Straight Up! [Olav Basoski Remix]

The original is sweet too, but Basoski always kicks ass!

BONUS FUNKY LATIN TECH HOUSE BEATS!

Guille Placencia - La Jungla [JuanmyR Remix]

A little repetitive, but it's tech house. Really dig the main beat.

BONUS DRIVING GROOVY SOULFUL HOUSE BEATS!

Oliver $ - Doin' Ya Thang

Great vocal cut in this one, Oliver $ puts his money where his mouth is once again.

Duran Duran - Girls On Film

It's raining again, probably due to the election result. Bad choice Canada. I am feeling similarly dull and uninspired today, so I won't burden you with my blandness. I've been meaning to finish up a couple new songs but I had some technical difficulties (now resolved) so they were somewhat delayed. I'll be dedicating the majority of the next two weeks, however, to finishing up songs and plan to, at worst, have a 3-track EP completely finished by then.

Go check out Tyler's retro rewind tonight at the Phoenix, or The Burning Hell and Baby Eagle in the Capital. I doubt I'll be making an appearance, but you never know. Here's a track you just might hear tonight if you do venture over.

Duran Duran - Girls On Film

BONUS BEATS!

Duran Duran - (Reach Up For The) Sunrise [Eric Prydz Remix]



Sweet remix, mediocre audio quality.

Classified - That Ain't Classy

Looks like it's time to evolve the blog once again. As you can see from the panel on the right I've added my Twitter feed. This seems to be the best way to post my links and reach a potentially bigger audience, so I'm going to try it out for a while. The daily music and commentary will remain the same. Another advantage is that I can update links as I find them, so there will be a more consistent stream of updates as opposed to staggered ones. We'll see how it goes, but in the meantime here's some Classified with the first single off his new album. It's pretty good, definitely a step up in production and I recommend picking it up. Stay classy people.

BONUS BEATS!

Brother Ali - Forest Whitaker

Great rapper, great actor, great track sent to me by The Fonz.

Zoot Woman - Grey Day

Well it's been an appropriately grey day here after the game-changing results of last night's election. Unsurprisingly, the Conservatives won. Surprisingly, they now have a majority. What does this say of our country, to re-elect a man found in contempt of parliament? Given that only 61% of eligible Canadians bothered to vote, it smacks of the same apathy that has plagued our political landscape for years.

People simply are not educated enough, or don't feel that their vote matters. Without knowing the demographics of those that voted, I can hypothesize that once again it was the youth of Canada that did not stand up to be counted, and now we have a thoroughly repugnant man as majority Prime Minister for the next four years because some 24% of Canadians thought he should be. The system is a shambles to be sure, but one cannot blame the system with such low voter turnout. It is a bitter blow, and one that will surely be looked upon in a very poor light by outsiders. That such a so-called free democratic society should so frivolously spurn its civil right, and duty, to decide its leader is contemptible in and of itself.

If there are positives to be taken from the result, it is to be found firstly in Quebec, who have overwhelmingly voted to oust the Bloc from official party status in a clear demonstration that sovereignty is no longer a strongly held desire of its people. The NDP's now commanding foothold on the province thrust it into pole position as head of the opposition, which could have been significant if Ontario had not completely dumped the Liberals and gone Conservative, which is particularly confounding.

Indeed the fall of the Liberals must be seen as the largest story of the election, and who it must be said have capitulated in embarrassing fashion. Thankfully Michael Ignatieff has resigned his position, and one feels that there must be a complete overhaul of the party that appears totally rudderless and bereft of any significant political strategy beyond disparaging its competitors. A leader with character and integrity, and a legitimate platform that addresses appropriate issues with coherent and reasonable solutions that are more congruent with its perceived representation of the Canadian left are desperately needed if there is any hope of a return to prominence.

While I am not in favor of party politics, nor do I subscribe to the left/right argument on my own behalf, it seemed clear to me that the failure of Ignatieff's Liberals to distance themselves from the eminently polarizing right of Harper's Conservatives was key to their downfall. Layton's NDP, on the other hand, recognized an opportunity to seize the left, and did so in remarkable fashion given their relatively inauspicious outlook only a few weeks ago.

As the dust settles it is difficult to imagine Canada strengthening its international reputation under the banal leadership of Mr. Harper, and it is a similar outcome that should be expected domestically. We must now instead look to strengthen our communities internally, supporting local businesses and talent, improving our relationships individually and educating those around us to the importance, however dull it may seem, of understanding democracy. Without the support and participation of all Canadians it will continue to invoke abject derision from our friends and critics alike, and we have only ourselves to blame.

See ya tomorrow.

Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come

Hooray! The boogeyman is dead! Every solder, civilian, and civil right that we have sacrificed in the meantime has all been worth it! It's ok! USA! USA! USA!

Where, oh where, is Bill Hicks when you need him most?

Today is election day here in Canada and regardless of the outcome I do believe there will be as many Canadians at the pub as there will be at the polls. I will probably be amongst you, enjoying a solitary pint of something local, and despite my innermost feelings of contempt for the whole episode I will don my brave face, smile and nod, and whisper whimsically to the night: a change is gonna come.

Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come

POLITICS SUCKS

Obama's Bin Laden Speech

In case you missed it.

A Real Speech

In case you missed it.