Clock DVA, more than anyone except perhaps their fellow travellers Cabaret Voltaire, reflected the industrial heartbeat of Sheffield. Literally so.

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Manu Chao’s song Bongo Bong was everywhere around the turn of the century. Its distinctive ping and cod reggae rhythm is irresistible – at least at first. (more…)

Country Joe & The Fish is a name I remember hearing in my youth, though I don’t remember hearing any of their records.

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In the late Seventies, after The Saints lit the fuse of Australian punk with their classic single (I’m) Stranded, they were followed to the UK by Radio Birdman.

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Clean Up Woman is one of the greatest soul songs of all time, recorded by Betty Wright when she was only 17. I’m amazed I’ve not posted it before. (more…)

Tony Clarke never had a big hit in his lifetime but is revered here for one of the biggest Northern Soul favourites of all time – Landslide. (more…)

Sharon Van Etten is my favourite singer. And, against strong competition, Seventeen is my favourite song of hers. It reduces me to tears every time I hear it.

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Heart began their mid-Seventies success with this single, Magic Man, about the time Ann Wilson met and fell in love with Mike Fisher.

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Today marks the 54th birthday of one of the UK’s finest musicians, Richard D. James, better known as Aphex Twin.

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Seattle rapper Macklemore and producer Ryan Lewis topped singles charts all over the world with their hilarious hip hop parody Thrift Shop.

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