Here’s a funny thing: when I half-heard this on the radio the other day my mind told me I was listening to Tim Buckley. I think it’s the emotional pull of the music and the sorrowful sound of its melancholy melody that did it.

(more…)

This gentle, lilting tune is a classic example of the niche genre called Palm-wine and comes from an album with the memorable title Dead Men Don’t Smoke Marijuana. I think we can all agree with that.

(more…)

I’ve never heard of this band and I’m sure you’ve never heard of them either. Listening now, I’m not sure why 99 Tales didn’t make a bigger name for themselves.

(more…)

If I believed in guilty pleasures I’d list one of mine as cod reggae. Especially electro-reggae like this. But I don’t, so I’m very happy to own my love of this.

(more…)

The Blue Aeroplanes, led by the Langley brothers from Bristol, emerged in the early 1980s and are still going strong four decades later.

(more…)

Here’s one of the great one-hit wonders. And a song that would pop into my head at random points whenever I was – you guessed – Drinking In L.A.

(more…)

I have to admit that, like most others, I was initially attracted to this tune by its sampling of Lou Reed’s Walk On The Wild Side. But there was much more to the New York rappers than that – though Reed got all the money and the teenage rappers never saw a penny.

(more…)

This is the opening track from Gillian Welch’s debut album, presaging the revival of old-time music and the emergence of Americana. (more…)

Much as I dislike comedy songs, and as much as I disdain punk revivalists, it’s hard not to smile when you hear this novelty hit by Irish band Sultans Of Ping FC.

(more…)

The night The Yellow Monkey made their UK debut in front of a fervent Japanese crowd… supporting future superstars Travis.

(more…)