Brand new heavy tune from Hallelujah Picassos, who are playing next Friday June 24 as part of 1:12 Records Matariki show, on at Whammy Bar, free entry:
"Here is the second song to be released this year by alt/indie cult band Hallelujah Picassos, titled "Brothers and Sisters (there’s more than blood that binds us)".
It was inspired by the research of Ralph and Coop of USC Dornsife that shows that all people living now share a common ancestor that only lived about 100-150 generations ago (or 3,400 years).
It's a smoking cauldron of thumping ritual and hypno vox invocation, conjuring and celebrating the brotherhood, the sisterhood, the people hood, in menacing times like these.
"Record Kicks is pleased to announce the debut 45 by Alexander Korostinsky (of The Sextones & Whatitdo Archive Group), out on June 17th, 2022. The first extract is “Bones of God”, available on all digital platforms on June 3rd.
Consumed by the dark arts of songcraft, recording, and producing, Korostinsky’s debut 45 offers both a deep appreciation to the fascinating world of Anatolian Psych-Rock and an intimate glimpse into his ascending journey as an ambitious artist. Having quickly picked up the Baglama saz, Korostinsky showcases his autodidactic abilities as both a bassist, guitarist, sitarist, percussionist and now an electric Baglama player on this first release.
The first single “Bones of God”, out on June 3rd, is a moody composition with its droning 12-string guitar, waves of electric sitar and dynamic drums all highlighted by his electric saz routed through a wah pedal.
“‘Bones of God’ was the first song I wrote for this project and is a nod to the lost sounds of Arif Sag and company that I admire so much,” says Korostinsky. “I had been so consumed in creating soul, funk and soundtrack music for so long that my body begged for a new creative outlet. I am a record collector before anything else and I knew that exploring the sounds of some of my favorite records would scratch that itch.”
Pagan Records released some hugely successful local tunes (Game of Love, Sweet Lovers, Glad I'm not a Kennedy, What's the time Mr Wolf to name but a few) and many great records. This mix is aimed at highlighting some of the lesser known acts and songs in their catalog, digging into the forgotten corners. There's some great oddball leftfield pop, groovy electronica, even some poetry.
Grigg notes that "Whilst Propeller and Ripper may have set the scene, and Flying Nun garnered the reputation (and released far more records), Pagan was far and away the most successful independent label, and had a massive influence. Its influence goes beyond its own catalogue.
"It was Pagan that discovered Bic Runga and passed her on to Sony. Indeed the list of Pagan signed acts is quite incredible as this list, of the singles on the labels up to 2000, is clear evidence. Think Shihad, The Warratahs, Hallelujah Picassos, Strawpeople, Shona Laing, Ardijah, Tadpole, Greg Johnson, Relaxomatic Project, Pluto, Eye TV and many others.
"Indeed it can reasonably be argued that Trevor Reekie has the best set of A&R ears since the golden NZ pop days of the sixties. Perhaps ever.
"Pagan existed from 1985 until the partners quietly shut up shop in 2005. It’s twenty year run is much longer than Flying Nun’s independent era (it was largely Murdoch-owned from the mid nineties) and this list is testament to one of New Zealand’s greatest record labels."
Here's notes on some of the songs in this mix:
Jim an' Joe (single) - two gents from Hamilton, off a one-off single recorded in 1986. Recorded at Mandrill with Trevor Reekie producing and Dave Dobbyn adding some Emulator keys. Trevor says "Dobbyn was in Mandrill at the same time and came in and lent us his talents to it. Died without trace."
This Boy Rob (1987 EP) - recording debut for Greg Johnson, a duo featuring him and John Fraser. Recorded and engineered by Paul Casserly and Mark Tierney of Strawpeople before they were the Strawpeople.
Southside Of Bombay – Kia Mau (1995 single), Trevor says "Still one of the singles I'm most proud of. This track featured Mina Ripia from Moana and the Moa Hunters. Maaka McGregor (SOB drummer and producer) and Mina have gone on to form Wai 100%."
The Holiday Makers - Serious (1988 - the b side to Waiting in the sunshine, their followup single to their chart topping hit Sweet Lovers). Trevor says : "How do you follow the biggest selling single of the year? This made number 6 but by then the band were in disarray. They came back from a tour of Japan and folded."
Chrome Safari - Bop to the drummer (1986 EP). Trevor says this was by "Simon Alexander, one time Grammar Boys [band] member and a hugely accomplished muso and engineer."
Obscure Desire - Obscure desire - extended UK mix (EP, 1986). Trevor says "Remixed in London by Liam Henshall. This record was kind of ahead of its time cos we didn’t have the technology to do what we really wanted to do."
Cheek Ta Cheek - Colonial Reggae instrumental (Single, 1987). From the movie soundtrack for NZ film 'Queen City Rocker.'
Greg Johnson - Josephine (1990 single). Trevor says "I asked Airforce Studios which day the studio would never be able to book. Tim Foreman said Xmas day and Boxing Day. So I said we’ll give you $400 for both days and we’ll bring our own engineer (wee Terry). gregs parents bought in xmas dinner, girlfriends and mates were all around and it was one of the best xmas I ever had. The single flopped and it was truly a gem of a song ...! pop !"
Strawpeople - Sly, Full Power. Sly was on their debut album Hemisphere from 1991, and Full Power was on a great indie student radio compilation Pagan released called Children of the Generator, compiled by Casserly and Tierney. Other acts included the likes of Headless Chickens and Black Girls Machine. Full Power also got added to the CD version of Hemisphere. Sly features Trevor Reekie on guitar.
The Parker Project - Tears on my pillow (Single, 1991). I really wanted to find the b-side, which is a Jazzy Rap mix. Trevor says 'By this time Rhythm Cage folded and David [Parker] teamed up with Dan Barnes and John Cooper. A cover of the old Johnny Nash song with the right production and it took a few weeks to knock Push Push out of the number one slot but we did."
Ted Brown and the Italians - How is the air up there? (single, 1994) - I've added a remix DLT did based off this version, which got used as the music for the opening credits of NZ music TV show Frenzy in the mid 1990s.
Sam Hunt - Your body has no flaw (single, 2000) Trevor says "I actually recorded hours of Sam but he let us give his rendition of his poem to producer Jon Cooper and muso Ted Brown who re-constructed it. Every library should have a copy. Paul Casserly, Straw Person, made Sam a great clip."
This song has been floating round as a demo bootleg for god knows how long. It landed on a compilation called Rat Patrol from Fort Bragg in the early 2000s (that was the original title for Combat Rock when it was gonna be a double LP monster). Probably started out as a bootleg cassette in the late 80s or 90s, pre-internet. I found a copy in the mid 2000s during the MP3 blog era. Who's nostalgic for that time?
There's a Youtube clip of it that someone had a go at remastering, and Ranking Roger found it 12 years ago and commented on it with some background:
"Nice to see this cut up here. I recorded this for the Clash in London around 82-3 when The Clash and the Beat toured quite a bit in the U.S.A. together.
"I also did a toast/rap over Red Angel Dragnet which I have not heard since. I did it as a one take in the studio. The Clash split up shortly afterwards so it was never released. What you guys are hearing here was just a rough mix for us to go away and listen to. It was never finished.
"I was invited as a guest just to freestyle and see what happened. A lot of it came from the top of my head and I think you can sort of hear it in the track. It was just a guide vocal so I could get more ideas. Then The Clash broke up but we still kept in touch.
"We used a studio I think in Notting Hill. Mick Jones was with me and a couple of engineers. We took the original 24 track and took the lead vox out. Anyway, it was not allowed to be let out to anyone, although I gave the late John Peel a copy of it (R.I.P.) but......yes, I guess you could say it was a demo waiting approval I guess. Thanks for letting people hear what could have been a remix, if it was finished. Better some than none! Respect! RR :)"
There's clips of Ranking Roger joining The Clash onstage in Paris during a 7 night run they did there at the Mogodor theatre with The Beat opening, in September 1981. You can hear him on Police and Thieves, and Armagideon Time. Plus there's some similar live clips from the USA in 1982.
The Clash have just released a 40th anniversary edition of Combat Rock over 5 sides of vinyl with bonus tracks recorded round the same time (mostly previously released on other Clash reissues), and left this song out and one side of the vinyl blank.
Instead, they released it on digital in April, and as a 7" single on May 20, the same day as Combat Rock reissue. The flip is the version of Red Angel Dragnet that Roger mentions. Yes I did rush out and buy it.
Here's an interview from 2014 with Ranking Roger where he mentions he got given a tape to take home after the sessions, and he gave that to John Peel and he must have played it at some point and that's the version that's been going round the internet. He also talks about recording an EP called Rock The Casbah to benefit Strummerville Foundation.
Bonus - Ranking Roger and Pato Banton cover Rock the casbah:
Cover photo for the 7" single taken by Paul Slattery, full image below:
Harking back to his career defining sonic roots of West African Highlife under previous moniker “Unchained XL”, Aotearoa New Zealand based artist and producer Mazbou Q delivers the new brass heavy hiphop anthem, ‘Go and Be Free’. Fusing Fela Kuti style soundscapes with modern 808-based production, Mazbou Q inspires his audience to dance through hardship by telling the story of how he found joy within deep loss.
Mazbou Q references his Nigerian heritage as he describes how the contrast of celebration and pain is at the heart of the song. “In my culture, we find ways to be joyous in the midst of deep pain. Our funerals, for example, are huge celebrations with singing, dancing and food because they are celebrations of a life once had. This song at its core is likewise about celebrating the good times with somebody, whilst saying a painful goodbye”.
His album The Future Was, from last year, is also well worth checking out. Featuring guests like Myele Manzanza, Raiza Biza, Jane Deezy, and Phodiso.
The latest from this cool series on Under the Radar: "We're over the moon to share the first episode of UTR presents Trash Recital Season 2 — starring Troy Kingi and created by Sports Team!
Releasing online fortnightly from today onwards, our 2022 season of Trash Recital features even more stars from throughout Aotearoa's diverse music community, reimagining their songs using objects from Sports Team's expertly curated collection of recycled junk. Viewers can enjoy an even trashier set than last year, a dazzling new claymation opening sequence by Annabel Kean (finalist for the 2022 Outstanding Music Journalism Award), and more outstanding banter throughout the new ten episode series, made with support from NZ On Air.
For each episode of Trash Recital we've invited some of our favourite Aotearoa artists into the UTR studios to perform one of their signature songs, re-created using everyday items selected from Sports Team's stockpile of trash. Trash Recital not only provides a launchpad for stunning reimaginings of recent classic tunes, but also the perfect opportunity for a chinwag with our local musical heroes."
Here's a reggaefied skank with strings for a wonderful song by the very talented Bic Runga, who wrote and produced the original - respect. Sway like this! Turns into a steppas dub at the end. Chur. Name your price, for Bandcamp Friday.
Off the forthcoming new album from my outfit Dub Asylum.... more soon.
