TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 17/07/11

These are our tracks of the week. Do you have any? Let us know!

Old Pa's Corner:-

Jamie XX - 'Far Nearer' (2011)

I just love the sound of the steel drums on this track. Close your eyes and with a little imagination, you are on a sunny beach in the Caribbean, a 'cuba libre' in hand, a lithe, tanned girl by your side - Yes it is only a dream! Then the bass etc. comes in....this should be someone else enjoying this, but it is me enjoying this....I love this!.

I first heard about the 'XX' from 'Ma Boy' and was pretty impressed. I was even more impressed when the 'said' Jamie' had recorded with the late Gil Scott Heron. Listen all the way thru' here its a real gem.

Flycasual:-

Ghostpoet - 'Survive it' (2011)

'I just wanna live life and survive it'

Great, bleak, minimalist Hip Hop for the more mature discerning B-boy. 'Survive it' is taken from UK rapper Obara Ejimiwe, aka Ghostpoet's debut album 'Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam'. I can't help but feel there's an element of Buffalo Springfield in there with the background sample but maybe it's just me.

I guess the older you get your priorities change and it's less about drinking Cristal in clubs (for me that kind of lifestyle was getting tedious anyway) and more about walking around town with a cup of tea, in the dark just trying to get by (the video will explain).

Ghostpoet's style and delivery is not dissimilar to Roots Manuva, DELS or even, dare I say, Faithless' Maxi Jazz. Not your typical run of the mill MC, it's Hip Hop with the Blues and well worth investigating.

SFW:-Seasick Steve - Treasures (2011)

I first heard of Seasick Steve after his performance on Jools Hollands Hootenanny in 2007, but I thought he was bit of a gimmick (I was probably drunk!). I later picked up his album and quickly realised that he is the real deal.  This song features on his latest album 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks' and the slower tracks sound like Rick Rubin produced Johnny Cash - which is fine by me!! 

Check out more Track of the weeks!