billshakes.com

After a brief hiatus (due to a naive web hosting change, limited knowledge of the ramifications of such a move and some much needed R&R..) I’m finally back at Bill Shakes bionic base camp.

This year I’m hoping to be a little more organised than last and share more delectable music (time & copyright laws permitting) for those who care.. The plan is to post regular DJ mixes using the mighty Soundcloud containing music that is tickling my ear drums at any given moment and see where it takes me/you.

Below a topical taster and personal old skool fave by Mickey Finn It’s one of his earlier contributions and a timeless classic that samples the Six Million Dollar Man (like you didn’t know).  More to follow soon.

Matthew Herbert with his Big Band at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona last night was awesome, a perfect balance of machines, musicians, politics and theater.  Challenging in every way.  A wonderful spectacle and heavenly music to my ears with traditional jazz convention sympathetically tested and twisted by the electronic Meister whose show completely engaged .  Even the audience were recorded on the fly ‘live’ (among other objects such as newspapers and glasses etc.)  the sample then being  integrated into the final encore song.  Simply marvelous and I heartily recommend going to see him in concert should you get the chance.

To find out more about Matthew Herbert please visit his website here

Just a short note for a little soiree I’m co-hosting this NYE should anyone who reads this be nearby and/or inclined..  I’ll add some music to this post later to set the tone but for info click on flyer below which will take you to the Facebook Event.

Radio still acts as a major contributor to my discovery of new music.  With the advent of so much online choice I now mostly listen to podcasts or archived shows via the internet as it’s rare I’m organized enough, available or awake to listen to ‘live’ radio especially being in Spain.

There follows a small selection of my regular radio dabbling that hopefully might also tickle your fancy:

Rob da Bank

An obvious choice but easily missed with it’s late night slots however always worth a listen as anyone who manages to fill the boots of the late great John Peel must be worth his weight in salt..  From his Sunday Best beginnings he’s always remained true to his taste which is wide and long and not just 4 to the floor or subject to press frenzied  emperors new shoes.  He’s a very nice, down to earth chap to boot.

Listen to Rob Da Bank show here Tracklists also available for all shows.

Pedro’s Broadcast Basement

One of, if not my favourite DJ in the world is Laurent Garnier and a little known fact is he has his own excellent 24/7 online radio playlist called Pedro’s Broadcast Basement where the music policy is: “All types of music are played except perhaps for the mainstream drivel that can be heard on most FM radios today.” Good enough for me LG..  The link below niftily opens your preferred media player (I use iTunes) and plays tacks with titles displayed in the player, marvelous.

To connect to PPB radio click here

The Joy of Music

An alternative weekly show in the wee hours called The Joy of Music recently moved from BBC London to BBC Kent and hosted by the unbelievably knowledgeable Sean Rowley.  A show full of folk, rock, electronic and beyond, slower paced and thoughtful from a man who lives, breathes and smokes all things music.  I’m a big fan and love his relaxed and honest totally unpretentious (see Guilty Pleasures) radio patter (much like da bank come to think of it).  Literally a joy of music and always includes some gems I’ve never heard of.

You can listen to his show here

Solid Steel

Solid Steel began broadcasting via Kiss FM way back in 1988!  The ‘cut up beats’ show was created by Coldcut and has somehow managed to survive through the years being synonymous with a DJ mix series as well as some amazing shows from the likes of Steinski, DJ Food and DJ Shadow among many others.

You can find Solid Steel here via the Ninja Tune website.

Beats in Space

A recently recommended addition to my weekly earload and a golden find.  Tim Sweeney is the main responsible and has managed to create his own little cosy corner in an unforgiving, disposable world of electronic music executed with love and panache and some heavy weight guest shows.

Click here to check out the Beats in Space website full of DJ podcasts, tracklists from the leftfield’s finest.

Other Recommendations

Samurai FM

A very cool Japan/London based Online radio station which hosts loads of fantastic electronic music and looks very much like it’s here to stay. Click here for Samurai FM

New Funk Radio

It has got to be funky! (at least on Fridays) and this station plays a good mix of sometimes commercial but tasteful funk esque music, click here for New Funk Radio

Danny Baker

Not really where I discover too much music (although I did discover Vashti Bunyan through Baker) and I often have to ignore some of the C&W selections, but the ex NME writer has a massive pre-eighties musical knowledge (a master of prog rock..) His spoken radio however is genius and ear candy to me.  I’ve been an avid listener from the breakfast show days which has moved to weekday afternoons between 3-5pm.  Once your keyed in with the treehouse humor it’s a must listen show.  For all things Candyman click here

Global SoulJah

James Barrie’s is also Barcelona based, works with BBE Records and his podcasts definitely deserve a doff of the cap delivering modern dope beats with a global flavour.  See globalsouljah.com website for more details.

Gilles Peterson

I always do my utmost to make time for Gilles Peterson Worldwide show even if sometimes it gets a little bit ‘muso’ noodley.  Listen here

There are of course many many more amazing shows out there and I will put together another list in the future but I would also LOVE any recommendations..

Nee naw nee naw, just when I’d all but forgotten about Ambient as a musical genre, along comes a modern day Albumulance (sorry) which has rescued & reignited my interest in the beatless ear mist..  After what seems like an eternity relying on the likes of Sigur Ròs, Ulrich Schnauss, old Aphex Twin, KLF Chill Out,, Boards of Canada blah blah.. I recently stumbled into Riceboy Sleeps it’s dripping with emotion and bloody brilliant in my book and all the atmospheric sustenance you need (for this summer).

Jónsi & Alex are the artist(s) responsible for these heaven sent sounds, they were formerly known as Riceboy Sleeps, the title name they have retained for their new album.  For a delightful sample of their sumptuous feast of layered sound see below.

You can find out more about the artist and purchase  music at their website jonsiandalex.com

Jónsi & Alex – All the big trees

Moving backwards

Here’s a mixed bag of a few ambient esque favorites (excluding the Moby track for which you can name the genre as you please..)

Moby – The Ultimate Go in Dub mix

First heard this on a Kiss FM mix by F.S.O.L. and was simply blown away, a dubbed up “Go” that I almost prefer to the original, “yeeeaah”..

Brian Eno – Ambient 1 (Music for Airports)

Since his days in Roxy Music Brian Eno has been a musical force behind so much and so many others and also happens to be one of the Kings of Ambient and has been consistently sampled by a plethora of artists. Staple massage music if ever there was and I do believe I hear some Amercian Beauty in there.

Steve Reich – Music for 18 Musicians

Made between 1974-76 his wondrous wavelengths were described as musical minimalism (ring a bell?) and this track was perhaps Steve Reich’s crowning glory and makes me go weak at the knees.

Wally Badarou – The Dachstein Angels

From Wally Badarou’s beautiful album “Words of a Mountain” the ex Level 42 producer/member shows us his jolly and emotive side. I usually end up singing along and pseudo conducting this song.

The Orb – Blue Room (Ambient Mix)

What would this post be without a bit of Alex Paterson a mix from an album that changed the face of ambient and is still a classic